Author: trevongross

1 Kings 11:1-12:19; Acts 9:1-25; Psalm 131:1-3; Proverbs 17:4-5

Solomon allows his wealth and riches to lead him astray. He has become so renowned and respected that he loses all sense of wisdom in his personal dealing. Think of it: people came from all over the world to sit and listen to Solomon’s wisdom. He had God’s wisdom for all people but he did not use it for himself!

Solomon married 700 women and had 300 girlfriends. This is clearly not wisdom. Further, he allowed their gods to become his god! How could he turn away from Almighty God after everything God had done for him? God made him the wisest and wealthiest king on earth! This is where David and Solomon were not alike. David never let his heart turn away from God!

When God chose David, He reminded Samuel that God only looks at the heart. (1 Samuel 16:7) The greatest work that God wants to do is in your heart! Let Him in and never allow anyone else to enter your heart or gain your loyalty. God made his expectations clear: He will not allow us to serve any other God but Him!

Tomorrow’s Reading: 1 Kings 12:20-13:34; Acts 9:26-43; Psalm 132:1-18; Proverbs 17:6

1 Kings 9:1-10:29; Acts 8:14-40; Psalm 130:1-8; Proverbs 17:2-3

The Temple served one purpose in God’s eyes and that was to visibly honor His name. Among all the great architecture of the land, God wanted a place where people could look and see a representation of his greatness and splendor. But, God was not so concerned about the building as he was in the person who built it.

God spoke to Solomon and reminded him that his behavior as king would determine his legacy not the building that he built. God knew something about Solomon, and really, all humans. Humans celebrate the things we do and sometimes forget about the person we become! Who we are is always more important than the things we do because who we are is a matter of the heart!

God said to Solomon that as long as his heart stayed obedient, someone from his family would sit on the throne forever! God was not expecting perfection, he was expecting humility. David was not perfect but he was humble and when he sinned, he repented. Live your life becoming the person God wants you to be!

Tomorrow’s Reading: 1 Kings 11:1-12:19; Acts 9:1-25; Psalm 131:1-3; Proverbs 17:4-5

1 Kings 8:1-66; Acts 7:51-8:13; Psalm 129:1-8; Proverbs 17:1

Solomon continues to show his wisdom. With the Temple completed, he prepared a great dedication. He and the people offered so many sacrifices that they lost count of how many animals there were.

With all the people watching, Solomon gets on his knees and prays earnestly for Israel. His heart-felt prayer carries Israel until this day. Prayer is such a vital part of our worship lives yet many people neglect it. Solomon’s prayer covered every person in almost every situation. He entreated the Lord to always be in a position to forgive His people.

Solomon knew that the people would mess up but he had already prayed for them that they would be quick to repent so that they could get back in line. Are there areas that you should be covering with prayer? Pray according to the Word and you can have a confidence that God is hearing you and He will answer your prayers!

Tomorrow’s Reading:1 Kings 9:1-10:29; Acts 8:14-40; Psalm 130:1-8; Proverbs 17:2-3

1 Kings 7:1-51; Acts 7:30-50; Psalm 128:1-6; Proverbs 16:31-33

Solomon spared no expense to make the Temple. Just the details alone are exacting and worthy of only the best structure. With the bronze, silver, gold that was put in the Temple, it was designed to be a jaw-dropping, spectacle that no human eye has ever seen.

Solomon not only built the Temple but he built a grand palace for himself. There was no known architectural rival during the time. As beautiful as these buildings were, they could not contain the full glory of God.

Stephen reminded the leaders of his day that “… the Most High doesn’t live in temples made by human hands.” (Acts 7:48). God cannot be contained in the most opulent building on earth! The earth is his dwelling place. This is important because that means we can always have access to God no matter where we are. Know that God is with you today and everyday. Let Him love you. You are His greatest creation!

Tomorrow’s Reading: 1 Kings 8:1-66; Acts 7:51-8:13; Psalm 129:1-8; Proverbs 17:1

1 Kings 5:1-6:38; Acts 7:1-29; Psalm 127:1-5; Proverbs 16:28-30

Solomon was prepared to build a spectacular Temple to honor God. He had contracted the best cedar artisan on earth and set out to build a wonder to the world! With great precision, each room was mapped out. Stones were cut, beams were hewed, and the workers were hired.

In the middle of the building program, God meets with Solomon to make certain that even though he was building a masterpiece to honor God, there was something more important: Living for God!

You see, what is most important to God is not construction and buildings but people. We build buildings. God builds people. God reminded Solomon that his greatest responsibility was to obey God’s commands. We can never get so caught up in buildings that we forget that God’s greatest Temple is us! He gets glory from us! Let Him come and live in your life today.

Tomorrow’s Reading: 1 Kings 7:1-51; Acts 7:30-50; Psalm 128:1-6; Proverbs 16:31-33

1 Kings 3:3-4:34; Acts 6:1-15; Psalm 126:1-6; Proverbs 16:26-27

God asks Solomon an unusual question: “What do you want? Ask, and I will give it to you!” God gave Solomon a blank check. Do you know what Solomon asked for? Well, he didn’t ask for wealth, power, or prestige. He asked for wisdom so that he could lead God’s people properly. What an unselfish request!!

You see, God always has more than us in mind when he blesses us. Solomon rose to great power but it wasn’t so that he could enjoy all the trappings of success. God wanted Solomon to be a blessing to the people he governed. He definitely needed God’s help. That’s why he asked for wisdom.

If God were to come to you and ask you that kind of question, how would you respond? Would you ask for things for you? If you could get anything from God, would you sincerely desire in your heart something that would bless those around you instead of you? This is the qualifying question. Because Solomon didn’t ask for selfish desires, God said He would grant his request and give Solomon great wealth.

In your heart, desire to be a blessing to others more than to yourself and watch God take care of you at a superior level! He is well able to do it if your heart is right!

Tomorrow’s Reading: 1 Kings 5:1-6:38; Acts 7:1-29; Psalm 127:1-5; Proverbs 16:28-30

1 Kings 2:1-3:2; Acts 5:1-42; Psalm 125:1-5; Proverbs 16:25

What legacy will you leave? David’s last moments are with his son who succeeded him on the throne of Israel. He gave him some wise advice that we all should heed.

Why is it that it is only when we look at our mortality that we refocus on what is most important? As David faced his end, he wanted to leave a legacy with Solomon. He gives Solomon a simple formula to living a successful life.

Be who God made you to be! David told Solomon to take courage and be a man. Solomon could not fulfill his destiny if he did not become the man whom God made him to be. He had to realize who he was and be true to it. Then David told him to obey God. Listen to what God says and do it.

Such simple wisdom but it is important for all of us. David’s legacy would be lived out through Solomon. David positioned Solomon for success by giving him a roadmap to prosperity. It will work for you too.

Tomorrow’s Reading: 1 Kings 3:3-4:34; Acts 6:1-15; Psalm 126:1-6; Proverbs 16:26-27

1 Kings 1:1-53; Acts 4:1-37; Psalm 124:1-8; Proverbs 16:24

God told David that his family would be in turmoil for the rest of his life. Here he is at the end of his days and another son incites rebellion against him! What did all his sons crave? The one thing that David received because of God’s grace: the Throne.

David never earned the throne. In fact, I suspect he didn’t even want the throne when he was tending the sheep. But, God chose David and made him worthy of that high office. Now, the next generation thinks that they can take by force or fiat what only God could give. This is a plan hatched by satan.

He will always try to get you to ignore God’s grace and get you to earn something from God! As sons of the King, all of David’s son’s would be taken care of. They should have rested in their father’s love and known that they would live a life of royalty even if they never sat on the throne. The same is true for you today. Don’t let the devil lie to you and try to get you to think you have to earn something from God. As a Christian, it’s already yours! Just receive it and live like royalty. The Throne is already taken by Jesus but you are in his royal court! Enjoy the benefits!

Tomorrow’s Reading: 1 Kings 2:1-3:2; Acts 5:1-42; Psalm 125:1-5; Proverbs 16:25

2 Samuel 23:24-24:25; Acts 3:1-26; Psalm 123:1-4; Proverbs 16:21-23

In light of all that God has done for you, how do you demonstrate your gratitude? David was near the end of his life and committed a sin against God by calling for a census of Israel.

God offered David three options for his punishment and none of them were pleasant. It was an exercise in bad choices. David had enough wisdom to choose the option that had no human intervention. We are always better off in God’s hands than human hands.

In order to stop the punishment, God allows David to offer a sacrifice. Because David was the king, he could ask for anything and his subjects would give it to him. However, Araunah offered to give him the animals for the sacrifice and the threshing floor. David would not allow it!

He knew that the offering would mean nothing if it did not cost David anything. David had a heart of gratitude for God’s goodness. As you look at all that God has done for you, gladly and willingly give Him your best as an offering. He will honor it like He did David.

Tomorrow’s Reading: 1 Kings 1:1-53; Acts 4:1-37; Psalm 124:1-8; Proverbs 16:24

2 Samuel 22:1-23:23; Acts 2:1-47; Psalm 122:1-9; Proverbs 16:19-20

What’s your song? Every believer ought to have a song to sing about God’s wondrous works. David had quite a song to sing. There is something about praise that helps us in our challenging times.

When things are tight, it may seem easy to complain. But, you should have a song in your heart that is ready to change the atmosphere from negativity. Why should we praise God? Because it reminds us of the source of our strength. Praise is not about any person; it is about God and what He has done! Humans need to be reminded repeatedly to trust in God and not ourselves. Praise repositions our focus on God and away from us.

Praise also defeats the schemes of the enemy. The devil pressures us so that he can get us to say something that will hurt our future. But, when we sing forth praise instead of speaking words of doubt, the devil’s plans are thwarted. Always have a song in your heart!

Tomorrow’s Reading: 2 Samuel 23:24-24:25; Acts 3:1-26; Psalm 123:1-4; Proverbs 16:21-23