Finish the House

Daily Reading: 1 Kings 9

Scripture Focus: Three times a year Solomon used to offer up burnt offerings and peace offerings on the altar that he built to the Lord, making offerings with it before the Lord. So he finished the house. (1 Kings 9.25)

Devotional Thought: “So he finished the house.” Solomon’s work on the house of God was not completed with the construction. Finishing the temple meant using it according to the divine plan. He had to use the house of God for proper worship. The Law prescribed that the men of Israel were to appear before the Lord in Jerusalem three times a year, bringing their sacrifices. That included the King, too. Solomon was careful to observe that.

Lana and I have been blessed to have built several houses in our lifetime. Each time we have finished the construction, there was one more thing to be done. We needed to move in – to live, to love, and to laugh within those walls. Would those houses ever have been truly finished if we had failed to do that?

Consider for a moment how you and I are to "finish the house." Being saved is but the beginning of the story. We are to faithfully worship the Lord and serve him. There is a life to live, a life of obedience to God. How many Christians I have seen that do not go on and "finish the house." They ask God to forgive them and receive them into his family, but they never faithfully serve him. They never move in. The house isn’t occupied! And so, it isn’t finished!

Sadly, the historian wrote that “Solomon used to offer up…” The manner of his writing indicated that at some point Solomon stopped using the house of God for proper worship. You see, the “finishing” of our spiritual houses is a lifetime event. We must never stop living, loving and laughing in the house of God!

Prayer: Lord, I'm so glad that you are building the Church, and that you have included me. Help me to "finish the house" by "moving in" completely - and living there day by day. Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 119.65-72

65 You have dealt well with your servant,

O Lord, according to your word.

66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge,

for I believe in your commandments.

67 Before I was afflicted I went astray,

but now I keep your word.

68 You are good and do good;

teach me your statutes.

69 The insolent smear me with lies,

but with my whole heart I keep your precepts;

70 their heart is unfeeling like fat,

but I delight in your law.

71 It is good for me that I was afflicted,

that I might learn your statutes.

72 The law of your mouth is better to me

than thousands of gold and silver pieces.