PERSONAL JOURNAL:
SIN ( 1 Kings 9:12-13 ): I am sorry about this, Father, but I know I often have an ungrateful and misdirected heart. Just like Hiram here, I often receive things in return that I do not feel are commensurate with what I’ve given. That is not how You have told me to behave in this life, Father. You expect me to give in an unceasing manner with no expectation of a return in this life; however, if I do get any return at all to joyously accept it and be grateful. Forgive me for this, Father. Help me to be better in this life at accepting everything, anything, and nothing all equally regardless of what I’ve given as the sacrifice of Your Son is more than enough reward for me. Help me to shed these childish, immature, and worldly ways of living this life, Father, so that I may be more pleasing to You in the man I am becoming.
PROMISE ( 1 Kings 9:4-7 ): Once again, You have brought up to Solomon the great promise made to his father, David. The promise of an eternal reign for David’s lineage if they just remain faithful and obedient to You. You also gave the counter promise of complete and total destruction should they choose to worship false gods and idols, betraying and turning away from You. You are faithful to Your promises as You have proven more times than I can count, so I have no doubt You will also remain faithful to fulfilling these promises, whichever route David’s lineage chooses.
ATTITUDE ( 1 Kings 9:12-13 ): My prayer today is that You would remind me when I am living in an unappreciative heart like Hiram, Father. Continue to serve me gentle reminders that my riches are in Heaven, not in this life. Continue to serve me gentle reminders that no possessions on this earth matter to me if You are not the top focus through all of it. Remind me to become better at being grateful for anything I do receive, but also being content with not receiving anything at all, Father.
COMMAND ( 1 Kings 9:6, 9 ): In these two verses, although they are more focused towards a promise, You offer us a very direct and obvious command—follow Your statutes and commands while never serving nor worshipping other gods or idols. I do often put things above You, Father, which I am not proud of. Here, You tell us to not worship or serve other gods or idols; to not put anything above You, yet I do this far too often in my own life. I often put false idols above You and I am sorry for that, Father. Please help me to be better and remind me of when I am betraying You in this way so that with Your strength, guidance, and wisdom I may correct my bad, fleshly, and worldly ways.
EXAMPLE ( 1 Kings 9:10-13 ): Solomon provides a great example of how to reward others who provide help. Hiram provided a great number of men and cedar to build the Lord’s temple as well as Solomon’s palace. In return, Solomon gave Hiram 20 towns to rule over as his own. To me looking from the outside in, this is such a huge gift back to Hiram as a reward for all of his hard work and contributions. Hiram may not have been very appreciative of this, but I feel like Solomon shows me that no matter someone else’s reaction to my own gratefulness towards them, I should always do so with a God-focused heart with no expectation of an anticipated return of appreciation because they may not appreciate it and that’s okay.
*DAILY NOTE: This is a relatively short chapter, especially compared to the last chapter which I had to break down into two separate quiet times. I’m grateful for the brevity of this because I was able to read it multiple times to truly grasp, understand, and take in what You were wanting to say to me, Father. I know I’ve been quite distracted as of late, but I am still focused on You and trying my best to get things back on track. Thank You for the gentle nudges and reminders You continue to serve to me daily, Father. Thank You for the endless grace but also for never giving up on me.
EXPAND TO READ: GENERAL NOTE FOR MY QUIET TIMES
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