Solomon’s temple was extravagant and elaborate, a wonder to behold, and even more wondrous when the cloud of God’s glory filled its chambers. Yet with all the years of labor and attention to detail involved in the construction of the temple, and the overwhelming Presence of God at its dedication, Solomon’s passion for the Lord just didn’t last. It didn’t take too long until his eye followed every glittering thing and every woman who walked in front of him. Whenever I read the accounts of Solomon’s life, I think “Really, Solomon? How can your gaze be captured by anything less than God ever again?”
I think the crux of the matter came from Solomon’s own lips in 1 Kings 8:17: And it was in the heart of David my father to build an house for the name of the Lord God of Israel. The temple was the dream of David, born from a passion for God’s Presence. Solomon was following his dad while David was following God.
David made the plans and preparations for the project. David lavished love on God as he walked on the site where the temple would one day stand. The great value he placed on his relationship with his God reverberated in heaven as he walked on the empty ground and imagined meticulous artwork and beautiful facades. With every ounce of gold and silver David stored for the work of the temple his son would build, the Lord heard the shout of David’s heart crying, “I love You. No expense is too much. I can’t pour out enough for You.”
The temple, though built by Solomon and dedicated to the Lord, was a testament that stood in front of God as a reminder of David’s devotion and passion. Solomon carried out his father’s plans and completed the temple, and he did so with excellence and zeal. But it was still David’s dream. Because he was entering into another man’s objective rather than his own, Solomon’s zeal wasn’t strong enough to weather life’s temptations and trials.
You may ask, what is the take away for us today?
#1 As much as you admire someone else’s ministry and walk with the Lord, you have to have your own thing going on with God.
#2 You can get on board with another person’s ministry, but you better make sure the plow you grab fits your hand.
#3 No matter how passionate someone else is, their passion won’t keep you when you face the temptation of your flesh or the trying of your commitment.
#4 Even if God blesses what you are doing, that doesn’t mean your heart is fully engaged. Guard your heart. Guard your heart. Guard your heart!
#5 A memorial of past successes in/with the Lord won’t keep you when temptation comes your way. Put on your spiritual armor every day.
#6 If you’re going to do something for the Lord, do it with excellence. But don’t forget, God is more impressed with your heart than your hands.
#7 Don’t get too comfortable when others seem impressed with your work for the Lord. Divine relationship must be cultivated day after day as you encounter His face. Don’t forget that you need Him desperately every moment.
#8 Lovers of God last when workers of God don’t.
I am not advocating a Christian walk where you are not serving. The Lord Himself “came not to be waited on but to serve.”(Mt 20:28) Put your hand to evangelism and meeting needs in the local church body. You cannot go wrong following the commands of Jesus to make disciples and love your brothers and sisters in Christ. Just make sure you have your priorities straight. Don’t set your heart on a position, a person, or a ministry assignment. Set your heart on the Lord as your most vital need and your greatest desire and everything else will work right. Make a choice to be a lover of God instead of merely a worker for Him. Let your work flow out of worship.
