Tues.’s Devo - The Lord Reigns

Read: 1 Chronicles 28:1-29:30; Romans 5:6-21; Psalm 15:1-5; Proverbs 19:18-19 Solomon led all his officers and judges and clan leaders to Gibeon, the place where God’s Tabernacle was and offered 1,000 sacrifices on the bronze altar. They consulted the Lord’s wisdom and plan. That night God appeared to Solomon and asked him what he wanted. Solomon asked for discernment and wisdom to lead the people he had been put over. God was pleased with Solomon’s request and told him that since he hadn’t asked for wealth, riches or fame, he would give him these also. He would grant him the wisdom and knowledge to properly govern his people. Solomon returned to Jerusalem where he reigned over Israel. He built up a huge force of chariots and horses. He made silver, gold, and cedar plentiful in Jerusalem and imported horses from Egypt and Cilicia. He exported them to the Hittites and Aram. Solomon enlisted 153,600 men to build the Temple and his royal palace. He sent a message to King Hiram of Tyre to send him cedar, cypress and red sandalwood logs and a master craftsman to work with gold, silver, bronze and iron as well as seamstresses. In payment for his woodcutters, Solomon would send him bushels of wheat, barley, wine and olive oil. King Hiram was pleased with the trade. Solomon began to build in the fourth year of his reign in the midspring around Passover. Everything in the Temple was built of wood and overlaid with gold. Angels were carved in the walls and jewels were everywhere. Two cherubim’s were placed on the top of the Ark with a wingspan of 7 and a half feet. The angels faced each other with their wings touching. A curtain was hung on the door of the Holy of Holies made of fine line, decorated with blue, purple and scarlet thread and embroidered with figures of cherubim. Two pillars were placed in front of the Temple. The one on the south was named Jakin and the one on the north Boaz. Jakin means “he will set up.” Boaz means “in him is strength.” In Romans we are taught that when we were baptized we demonstrated that we are dead to the power of sin and no longer are held in its power. We no longer have to obey its entices or desires. We can now give ourselves completely to God and live righteously. Now we do the things that lead to holiness and result in eternal life. Lord, thank you that we can live righteously before you with a clean conscience. Empower us to rule over the earth declaring you as Lord and maker of all.