The Daily Dose

He is building something in you

I have surely built You an exalted house, and a place for You to dwell in forever. ~ 1 Kings 8:13

Have you ever walked into a building that was still under construction and thought, “I don’t see it”? You see piles of lumber, tools everywhere, exposed wires, unfinished walls, and enough dust to make you wonder if you’ll ever get your shoes clean again. But the builder doesn’t see a mess. The builder sees the finished project.

Today’s scripture reading gives us a glimpse into the construction of Solomon’s temple. Verse after verse describes the measurements, rooms, wood, carvings, gold, and craftsmanship. At first, it can seem like a lot of construction details. But underneath all those measurements is something much more important. God was building a place where His presence would dwell among His people.

Even though we aren’t building the temple today, there is something very important we need to remember. God is still building something today. He is building His people, shaping our hearts, developing our character, and preparing us to carry His presence into a world that desperately needs Him.

Sometimes the process doesn’t look very spiritual and it can look like a lot of waiting. Sometimes it looks like pruning and sometimes it looks like learning patience with someone who seems to be personally assigned to test it. But God sees what we’re becoming even when we can’t see it yet.

As you read this passage of scripture, consider these three truths about what God is building in us and how we can cooperate with Him in the process.

1. God cares about the details because He cares about what He’s building.

This chapter contains an extreme amount of detail about the temple. The dimensions, the rooms, the wood, the carvings, the gold, and the craftsmanship were all carefully planned. God wasn’t careless about the details.

That reminds us that God cares about the details of our lives too. We sometimes think God is only concerned with the big things. We pray about major decisions, big opportunities, and life changing moments, but God also cares about the small things that shape who we become.

Things like the way you treat others and how you respond when you’re frustrated. What you do when nobody is watching and how you handle money. What you allow into your mind and whether or not you use keep word. Things like choosing forgiveness instead of bitterness.

These seemingly small decisions are part of the construction process. You may think, “This little thing doesn’t really matter.” But builders know something important, small pieces eventually become part of a much larger structure.

So today, pay attention to the little things.

• Choose patience when you’d rather react.
• Speak encouragement instead of criticism.
• Tell the truth even when it’s inconvenient.
• Spend a few minutes in God’s Word instead of automatically reaching for your phone.
• Ask God to help you become more aware of His presence throughout your ordinary day.

Don’t underestimate the spiritual significance of small acts of obedience. God is building something in you, one decision at a time.

2. God’s work in you takes time.

The temple wasn’t built in a day. This chapter also tells us that Solomon began building in the fourth year of his reign and completed the temple in the eleventh year. It took seven years. That’s a long time. We live in a world that wants everything immediately. We can order dinner, track the delivery driver, watch a movie, and have an answer to almost any question within seconds.

Then, when God says, “Wait.” Suddenly, seven years doesn’t sound so long. There are things God is developing in us that won’t happen overnight. Patience takes time, wisdom takes experience, character is developed through repeated choices and healing can be a process.

Spiritual maturity doesn’t happen because we attended one great service or read one powerful devotional. God works through seasons. Maybe you’re frustrated because you thought you would be further along by now. Maybe you’ve been praying about something for months or even years.

Don’t assume that because you don’t see the finished product, God isn’t working. Construction can be noisy, inconvenient, and messy. But that doesn’t mean nothing is happening. If you’re in a season of waiting, keep trusting. If you’re in a season of growth, keep learning. If you’re in a season of difficulty, keep following God because you can’t rush God’s process.

3. The goal isn’t simply to build something beautiful, it’s to make room for God’s presence.

This is perhaps the most important truth in the entire chapter. The temple wasn’t impressive simply because it was beautiful. Its purpose was to be a place associated with the presence of God among His people. All the gold, wood, craftsmanship, and careful construction had a purpose and God’s presence mattered more than the building itself.

That challenges us today. We can spend so much time building our lives that we forget why we’re building them. We can build careers, businesses, ministries, homes, relationships, reputations, and platforms. None of those things are necessarily wrong. But if we’re building without making room for God, we’ve missed the greater purpose.

Ask yourself: “Am I making room for God in the life I’m building?” Maybe that means protecting time with Him in the morning. Maybe it means making prayer a priority instead of an emergency plan. Maybe it means creating margin in your schedule so you aren’t too busy to hear Him. Maybe it means asking God to be involved in a decision before you’ve already made up your mind. It could mean surrendering something you’ve been trying to control.

The goal isn’t simply to have a successful life. The goal is to have a life where God’s presence has room to work and here’s something beautiful. First Corinthians 6:19 reminds us that our bodies are now temples of the Holy Spirit. God isn’t looking for a beautiful building today. He’s looking for surrendered hearts that He can move into. That means your ordinary life can become a place where God’s presence is experienced.

Your kitchen, workplace, car, office, classroom, ministry and your conversations. Wherever you go, you carry the opportunity to make room for God.

Building something meaningful takes intention, patience, attention to detail, and a clear purpose. Solomon wasn’t simply constructing a magnificent building. He was preparing a place dedicated to God.

God is doing something similar in us. He is shaping us through every season, every challenge, every decision, and every opportunity to trust Him. Sometimes we see progress, and sometimes we see what looks like a construction zone. But God isn’t finished with us yet.

Today I want to encourage you to trust the Builder. If your life feels unfinished right now, that’s okay. You’re not supposed to be finished yet. God is still working. Don’t become discouraged by the places that still look messy. Don’t compare your construction process with someone else’s finished looking life. Keep allowing God to work on the details, keep trusting Him through the waiting, and most importantly, keep making room for His presence. What God is building in you isn’t just for you. He wants to use your life to carry His presence, demonstrate His love, and point others toward Him. You may not see the finished picture yet, but the Builder does. Keep trusting His hands. He knows exactly what He’s doing.

Today’s scripture reading: 1 Kings 6

1 And it came to pass in the four hundred and eightieth year after the children of Israel had come out of the land of Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon’s reign over Israel, in the month of Ziv, which is the second month, that he began to build the house of the Lord. 

2 Now the house which King Solomon built for the Lord, its length was sixty cubits, its width twenty, and its height thirty cubits. 

3 The vestibule in front of the sanctuary of the house was twenty cubits long across the width of the house, and the width of the vestibule extended ten cubits from the front of the house. 

4 And he made for the house windows with beveled frames.

5 Against the wall of the temple he built chambers all around, against the walls of the temple, all around the sanctuary and the inner sanctuary. Thus he made side chambers all around it. 

6 The lowest chamber was five cubits wide, the middle was six cubits wide, and the third was seven cubits wide; for he made narrow ledges around the outside of the temple, so that the support beams would not be fastened into the walls of the temple. 

7 And the temple, when it was being built, was built with stone finished at the quarry, so that no hammer or chisel or any iron tool was heard in the temple while it was being built. 

8 The doorway for the middle story was on the right side of the temple. They went up by stairs to the middle story, and from the middle to the third.

9 So he built the temple and finished it, and he paneled the temple with beams and boards of cedar. 

10 And he built side chambers against the entire temple, each five cubits high; they were attached to the temple with cedar beams.

11 Then the word of the Lord came to Solomon, saying: 

12 “Concerning this temple which you are building, if you walk in My statutes, execute My judgments, keep all My commandments, and walk in them, then I will perform My word with you, which I spoke to your father David. 

13 And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will not forsake My people Israel.”

14 So Solomon built the temple and finished it. 

15 And he built the inside walls of the temple with cedar boards; from the floor of the temple to the ceiling he paneled the inside with wood; and he covered the floor of the temple with planks of cypress. 

16 Then he built the twenty-cubit room at the rear of the temple, from floor to ceiling, with cedar boards; he built it inside as the inner sanctuary, as the Most Holy Place. 

17 And in front of it the temple sanctuary was forty cubits long. 

18 The inside of the temple was cedar, carved with ornamental buds and open flowers. All was cedar; there was no stone to be seen.

19And he prepared the inner sanctuary inside the temple, to set the ark of the covenant of the Lord there. 

20The inner sanctuary was twenty cubits long, twenty cubits wide, and twenty cubits high. He overlaid it with pure gold, and overlaid the altar of cedar. 

21 So Solomon overlaid the inside of the temple with pure gold. He stretched gold chains across the front of the inner sanctuary, and overlaid it with gold. 

22 The whole temple he overlaid with gold, until he had finished all the temple; also he overlaid with gold the entire altar that was by the inner sanctuary.

23 Inside the inner sanctuary he made two cherubim of olive wood, each ten cubits high. 

24 One wing of the cherub was five cubits, and the other wing of the cherub five cubits: ten cubits from the tip of one wing to the tip of the other. 

25 And the other cherub was ten cubits; both cherubim were of the same size and shape. 

26 The height of one cherub was ten cubits, and so was the other cherub. 

27 Then he set the cherubim inside the inner room; and they stretched out the wings of the cherubim so that the wing of the one touched one wall, and the wing of the other cherub touched the other wall. And their wings touched each other in the middle of the room. 

28 Also he overlaid the cherubim with gold.

29 Then he carved all the walls of the temple all around, both the inner and outer sanctuaries, with carved figures of cherubim, palm trees, and open flowers. 

30 And the floor of the temple he overlaid with gold, both the inner and outer sanctuaries.

31 For the entrance of the inner sanctuary he made doors of olive wood; the lintel and doorposts were one-fifth of the wall. 

32 The two doors were of olive wood; and he carved on them figures of cherubim, palm trees, and open flowers, and overlaid them with gold; and he spread gold on the cherubim and on the palm trees. 

33 So for the door of the sanctuary he also made doorposts of olive wood, one-fourth of the wall. 

34 And the two doors were of cypress wood; two panels comprised one folding door, and two panels comprised the other folding door. 

35 Then he carved cherubim, palm trees, and open flowers on them, and overlaid them with gold applied evenly on the carved work.

36 And he built the inner court with three rows of hewn stone and a row of cedar beams.

37 In the fourth year the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid, in the month of Ziv. 

38And in the eleventh year, in the month of Bul, which is the eighth month, the house was finished in all its details and according to all its plans. So he was seven years in building it.

Journal:

• What area of my life do I sense God is currently working on?
• Are there small decisions or habits that God may be asking me to pay more attention to?
• Where have I become discouraged because God’s work seems to be taking longer than I expected?
• What does making room for God’s presence look like in my everyday life right now?
• Is there something I’m trying to build without fully surrendering it to God?
• What would change in my daily life if I truly believed that God isn’t finished building me yet?

What spirit is this

One of those who stood by drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear.  ~ Mark 14:47

Have you ever said something in the heat of the moment and immediately wished you could pull the words right back into your mouth? It’s amazing how quickly we can move from calm to “What was I thinking?” Sometimes our reactions reveal more about what is happening inside us than the situation happening around us.

That is exactly what happened in today’s scripture reading. Jesus had never taught His disciples to advance His kingdom through violence. Throughout His ministry, He responded to hatred with love, to insults with truth, and to opposition with compassion. Yet when the soldiers arrived to arrest Him, Peter reached for a sword instead of trusting his Savior. Where did that come from? It didn’t come from the heart of Jesus, it came from fear.

Luke’s account tells us that Jesus immediately stopped the violence. He even healed the servant’s ear. Jesus made it clear that His mission was not to destroy lives but to save them. Peter had allowed fear to speak louder than faith, and for a brief moment he acted from a spirit that did not represent the heart of God.

It’s easier to do than we’d like to admit. We live in a world where anger has become almost normal. People get upset over politics, opinions, traffic, social media posts, and even which checkout line is moving faster. Sometimes it seems like everyone is carrying a sword, even if it’s only with their words. Grace often feels like the rarest thing on the highway. If you’ve ever had someone honk because the light turned green one half second ago, you know exactly what I mean!

Before we’re too hard on Peter, we should probably ask ourselves the same question. What spirit am I operating in? Am I responding with the love, patience, and the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ or am I reacting out of fear, frustration, pride, or the need to prove I’m right? The Holy Spirit never leads us to respond in a way that contradicts the character of Jesus.

Here are a few practical ways to guard our hearts:

• Pause before you react. When emotions begin to rise, stop and pray before speaking. A few seconds with God can prevent hours of regret.
• Ask the Holy Spirit to check your attitude. Before responding to criticism or conflict, ask yourself, “Does this response sound like Jesus?”
• Choose grace over being right. Winning an argument isn’t nearly as valuable as winning a heart. Look for opportunities to extend the same mercy God has shown you.
• Remember that everyone needs grace. The person who frustrated you today is just as much in need of God’s love as you are. Keeping that perspective changes how we respond.

I’ve discovered that whenever I’m quick to react, it’s usually because I’ve stepped ahead of the Holy Spirit. The times I’ve regretted my words were almost always the times I didn’t stop long enough to ask God what to say. I’m so thankful that even when I miss it, His grace is there to help me get back on course. He doesn’t shame us, He teaches us.

Today I want to encourage you to pay attention to the spirit that is influencing your responses. Like Peter, we can all act out of fear or frustration if we’re not careful. Instead, stay surrendered to Jesus, listen for the Holy Spirit’s direction, and allow His love to guide your words and actions. When accusations come or conflict shows up, don’t reach for your sword, reach for God’s wisdom. The world has enough angry voices. Be someone who carries the grace, peace, and compassion of Christ Jesus wherever you go.

Consider these next steps:

1. Pause before responding when emotions begin to rise.
2. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide your words before entering a difficult conversation.
3. Extend grace to someone who doesn’t deserve it, just as Christ has extended grace to you.
4. Pray for the people who frustrate you instead of criticizing them.

Today’s scripture reading: Mark 14:43-52

43 And immediately, while He was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, with a great multitude with swords and clubs, came from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders. 

44 Now His betrayer had given them a signal, saying, “Whomever I kiss, He is the One; seize Him and lead Him away safely.”

45 As soon as he had come, immediately he went up to Him and said to Him, “Rabbi, Rabbi!” and kissed Him.

46 Then they laid their hands on Him and took Him. 

47 And one of those who stood by drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.

48 Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs to take Me? 

49 I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and you did not seize Me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled.”

50 Then they all forsook Him and fled.

51 Now a certain young man followed Him, having a linen cloth thrown around his naked body. And the young men laid hold of him, 

52 and he left the linen cloth and fled from them naked.

Journal:

• How do I usually respond when I feel threatened or misunderstood?
• What spirit has been influencing my attitudes lately?
• Is there someone I need to extend more grace toward?
• How can I better follow Jesus’ example during conflict?
• What situation today can I intentionally surrender to the Holy Spirit?

Watch and pray

Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” ~ Mark 14:38

Have you ever come across a familiar passage in your Bible and thought, I’ve read this one before, then found yourself tempted to hurry on to something new? We often think the next chapter holds the fresh revelation we’re looking for. But God’s Word isn’t like yesterday’s leftovers. It’s more like your favorite homemade meal. Every time it’s served, it satisfies. It nourishes you, comforts you, and somehow tastes just as wonderful as the first time you experienced it.

God’s Word is exactly like that. You never outgrow it and you never exhaust it. Every time you return, the Holy Spirit has something fresh to show you.

As we enter the final hours before Jesus’ crucifixion, many of us know these passages well. We’ve heard about Gethsemane, Judas’ betrayal, Peter’s denial, and the cross since we were children. Instead of rushing through these familiar accounts, let’s slow down and savor them. There is still nourishment here for our souls.

In today’s passage, Jesus entered the Garden of Gethsemane with His disciples. He often withdrew to the garden to pray, but this night was different. He asked Peter, James, and John to come farther with Him. Then He shared something He had never expressed so openly before. He said: “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death.” Think about that.

The Son of God, who had calmed storms, raised the dead, and walked confidently through every opposition, now allowed His closest friends to see the weight He was carrying.

Then He gave them a simple assignment. “Stay here and watch.” He went a little farther to pray while they stayed back. When He returned, He found them asleep. Not once, not twice but three times.

To be fair, they had just shared the Passover meal late into the evening. Their eyes were heavy, and they probably assumed the night was winding down. Instead, the greatest spiritual battle of their lives was just beginning.

Jesus lovingly warned them. “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

I’ve often wondered what might have happened if Peter had stayed awake and prayed. Would the soldiers still have come? Absolutely. Would Jesus still have gone to the cross? Without question, God’s plan was not going to change.

But perhaps Peter would have been spiritually prepared for what was coming. Maybe he would have responded with courage instead of fear and avoided denying the Lord only a few hours later.

That’s an important take away for all us. Prayer doesn’t always change our circumstances, But very often, it changes us. God strengthens us, steadies our hearts, sharpens our discernment, and prepares us to stand firm when the pressure comes.

That’s why Jesus said, “Watch and pray.” He wasn’t telling His disciples to panic. He was preparing them to persevere. The same invitation is there for us today.

Here are some practical ways to put this passage into practice.

• Slow down when reading familiar passages. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you something you’ve never noticed before. God’s Word is living and active, and He always has fresh insight for a willing heart.
• Pray before the battle arrives. Don’t wait until you’re overwhelmed to seek God’s strength. Build your relationship with Him every day so your heart is prepared when challenges come.
• Stay spiritually alert. Pay attention to the areas where you’re most vulnerable. Ask God for wisdom, strength, and discernment before temptation ever knocks at your door.
• Choose nourishment over distraction. Just as your body needs daily food, your spirit needs daily time in God’s Word. Feed your faith consistently, and you’ll find yourself stronger when life becomes difficult.

One of the things I’ve realized is that some of the greatest treasures in Scripture have come from passages I almost skipped because I thought I already knew them. Then one day the Holy Spirit shines a spotlight on a verse I’ve read dozens of times, and suddenly it’s as though I’m seeing it for the first time. That’s one of the reasons I love spending time in God’s Word every morning. It never grows stale because the Author is always present while I’m reading it.

And let’s be honest, we’ve all sat down to pray when we were tired and suddenly discovered we have an incredible spiritual gift for falling asleep! One minute we’re saying, “Dear Lord…” and the next thing we know, we’re waking up wondering if we ended with “Amen” or a snore. Thankfully, God is gracious. He simply invites us to get up and spend time with Him again tomorrow.

Today I want to encourage you to watch and pray with a heart that is eager to know God more deeply. Don’t rush past the familiar portions of Scripture looking for something new. There is fresh strength, fresh wisdom, and fresh revelation waiting for you every time you open His Word. Spend time with Him before the pressures of life arrive and allow His presence to prepare you for whatever lies ahead. As you remain spiritually alert and stay close to your heavenly Father, you’ll discover that He is faithfully strengthening you, guiding you, and giving you everything you need to stand firm in every season.

Today’s scripture reading: Mark 14:32-42

32 Then they came to a place which was named Gethsemane; and He said to His disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” 

33 And He took Peter, James, and John with Him, and He began to be troubled and deeply distressed. 

34 Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch.”

35He went a little farther, and fell on the ground, and prayed that if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him. 

36 And He said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will.”

37 Then He came and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “Simon, are you sleeping? Could you not watch one hour? 

38 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

39 Again He went away and prayed, and spoke the same words. 

40 And when He returned, He found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy; and they did not know what to answer Him.

41 Then He came the third time and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? It is enough! The hour has come; behold, the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. 

42 Rise, let us be going. See, My betrayer is at hand.”

Journal:

• Have I been rushing through familiar passages of Scripture instead of slowing down to hear what God wants to say?
• Am I spending time in prayer before challenges arise, or only after I’m overwhelmed?
• In what area of my life do I need God’s strength and preparation today?
• What distractions are keeping me from consistently spending time with God?
• What fresh truth did the Holy Spirit show me in today’s Scripture reading?

He wants to work with you

Then Hiram gave Solomon cedar and cypress logs according to all his desire. ~ 1 Kings 5:10

Have you ever had a dream that felt so big that you immediately started wondering, “How in the world am I going to pay for this?” Maybe it was a ministry idea, a business opportunity, a home project, a new responsibility, or something God put on your heart that seemed much bigger than your current resources. Sometimes the first thing we see is what we don’t have.

But 1 Kings 5 reminds us that when God gives an assignment, He can also provide resources, relationships, wisdom, and opportunities we never could have arranged on our own. Solomon was preparing to build the temple David had dreamed about. This wasn’t a small construction project. It required enormous amounts of timber, stone, workers, planning, and organization. Solomon knew he couldn’t accomplish it by himself, so he reached out to Hiram, king of Tyre, and God provided a partnership that would help make the assignment possible.

There is something important for us to notice. Solomon didn’t sit back and say, “Well, if God wants this done, He’ll just make it happen.” He prayed, planned, negotiated, organized, worked, and partnered with others. Faith doesn’t mean we sit on the couch waiting for God to drop the finished project in our lap. Sometimes faith looks like picking up the phone and making the call.

Her are three important truths in this chapter about recognizing God’s provision, embracing partnership, and being faithful with the assignment He’s placed in our hands.

1. God can provide through people you never expected.

Solomon needed timber for the temple, and God provided it through Hiram. Hiram wasn’t an Israelite, yet God used him as part of the provision for something that was important to God’s people.

That should encourage us because sometimes we limit the ways we think God can help us. We may think provision has to come from one specific person, one specific source, or one specific opportunity. But God isn’t limited by our expectations.

Maybe you’re praying for a job, and the opportunity comes through someone you never expected to meet. Maybe you’re trying to launch a ministry, and someone offers exactly what you need. Maybe you’re working on a project and suddenly God connects you with someone who has the skill, resource, or experience you’ve been missing.

Pay attention to the relationships God brings into your life. That doesn’t mean we automatically say yes to every person or every opportunity. We still need wisdom and discernment. But don’t become so focused on how you think God should provide that you miss the provision He is already putting in front of you. Sometimes God’s answer comes through a person you didn’t even know to ask.

2. Don’t confuse faith with doing everything yourself.

Solomon understood that he couldn’t build the temple alone. He needed skilled workers. He needed materials. He needed Hiram. He needed thousands of people to help with the work.

There is true for all of us. God didn’t design us to do everything by ourselves. Sometimes we wear exhaustion like it’s a spiritual gift. We say things like, “I’ll just do it myself. It’s easier that way.” And maybe it is easier for about ten minutes. Then we’re exhausted, frustrated, overwhelmed, and wondering why nobody helped us.

God often works through partnership. Maybe there’s something God has called you to do, but you’re trying to carry the entire responsibility yourself. Ask Him who should be part of the assignment.

In your family, it might mean asking for help. In ministry, it might mean building a team. At work, it might mean delegating instead of trying to control every detail. In your personal life, it might mean allowing someone you trust to walk alongside you. Asking for help isn’t weakness, it’s wisdom.

3. When God gives you an assignment, prepare to work.

Solomon had God’s provision, but he still had to build. This is an important truth because sometimes we can pray for something and then become frustrated when God doesn’t simply drop it into our hands. God provided the timber, but somebody still had to cut it, transport it, organize it, and use it. God provided the workers, but they still had to work. God gave Solomon the assignment, but Solomon still had to lead. Provision doesn’t eliminate participation.

Maybe you’re praying for a stronger marriage, but there are conversations you still need to have. Maybe you’re praying for a new ministry opportunity, but there are preparations you still need to make. Maybe you’re asking God to help you grow spiritually, but you still need to open your Bible, pray, worship, and spend time with Him. Maybe you’re asking God to help you write the book that’s been on your heart, but at some point you have to sit down and actually write.

God can provide the opportunity, but you still have to walk through the door. Faith isn’t passive, it moves. 2 Samuel 5 reminds us that God had established Solomon as king, but 1 Kings 5 shows us what happened when Solomon began preparing to fulfill the assignment God had given him. He recognized what he needed, built relationships, organized people, gathered resources, and got to work. The temple didn’t appear overnight, there was a process and maybe that’s where some of us are today.  Stop waiting for the finished product when God is inviting us to participate in the process.

You may not have everything you need yet. You may not know exactly how everything will come together. But if God has given you the assignment, trust Him to provide what you need along the way while you faithfully do the part He’s placed in your hands.

Today I want to encourage you to stop looking only at what you don’t have and start paying attention to what God has already placed around you. He may be providing through a relationship, an opportunity, a skill, a resource, or even an unexpected connection. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, and don’t assume that faith means doing everything alone. At the same time, don’t wait for God to do what He’s asking you to do. Take the next step. Make the call. Have the conversation. Build the team. Open the Bible. Write the first page. Whatever your next step is, take it. God is faithful to provide, but He also invites us to participate in what He’s doing. You don’t need to see the entire blueprint before you begin building. You simply need to trust the Builder and be faithful with the part He’s placed in your hands.

Today’s scripture reading: 1 Kings 5

1 Now Hiram king of Tyre sent his servants to Solomon, because he heard that they had anointed him king in place of his father, for Hiram had always loved David. 

2 Then Solomon sent to Hiram, saying:

3 You know how my father David could not build a house for the name of the Lord his God because of the wars which were fought against him on every side, until the Lord put his foes under the soles of his feet.

4 But now the Lord my God has given me rest on every side; there is neither adversary nor evil occurrence.

5 And behold, I propose to build a house for the name of the Lord my God, as the Lord spoke to my father David, saying, “Your son, whom I will set on your throne in your place, he shall build the house for My name.”

6 Now therefore, command that they cut down cedars for me from Lebanon; and my servants will be with your servants, and I will pay you wages for your servants according to whatever you say. For you know there is none among us who has skill to cut timber like the Sidonians.

7 So it was, when Hiram heard the words of Solomon, that he rejoiced greatly and said,

Blessed be the Lord this day, for He has given David a wise son over this great people!

8 Then Hiram sent to Solomon, saying:

I have considered the message which you sent me, and I will do all you desire concerning the cedar and cypress logs.

9 My servants shall bring them down from Lebanon to the sea; I will float them in rafts by sea to the place you indicate to me, and will have them broken apart there; then you can take them away. And you shall fulfill my desire by giving food for my household.

10 Then Hiram gave Solomon cedar and cypress logs according to all his desire. 

11 And Solomon gave Hiram twenty thousand kors of wheat as food for his household, and twenty kors of pressed oil. Thus Solomon gave to Hiram year by year.

12 So the Lord gave Solomon wisdom, as He had promised him; and there was peace between Hiram and Solomon, and the two of them made a treaty together.

13 Then King Solomon raised up a labor force out of all Israel; and the labor force was thirty thousand men. 

14 And he sent them to Lebanon, ten thousand a month in shifts: they were one month in Lebanon and two months at home; Adoniram was in charge of the labor force. 

15 Solomon had seventy thousand who carried burdens, and eighty thousand who quarried stone in the mountains, 

16 besides three thousand three hundred from the chiefs of Solomon’s deputies, who supervised the people who labored in the work. 

17 And the king commanded them to quarry large stones, costly stones, and hewn stones, to lay the foundation of the temple. 

18 So Solomon’s builders, Hiram’s builders, and the Gebalites quarried them; and they prepared timber and stones to build the temple.

Journal:

• What has God placed on my heart that currently feels bigger than my resources?
• Am I looking only at what I don’t have, or am I recognizing the resources and relationships God has already provided?
• Is there something I’m trying to do alone that God may be asking me to share with others?
• What is one practical step I can take this week toward an assignment God has given me?
• Where do I need to trust God for provision while also being willing to do my part?

The wisdom to build a life

And God gave Solomon wisdom and exceedingly great understanding, and largeness of heart like the sand on the seashore. ~ 1 Kings 4:29

What if the greatest thing God could give you today isn’t more money, a bigger house, a better job, or even an easier life? What if it’s the wisdom to know what to do with everything you already have?

We live in a world that constantly tells us we need more. More success, more followers, more opportunities, more possessions, more recognition. Today’s scripture reading gives us a picture of a man who had been given extreme responsibility and needed something greater than wealth to manage it well. Solomon needed wisdom.

God had blessed Solomon with an enormous kingdom, and this chapter gives us a glimpse of what that looked like. There were officials, responsibilities, provisions, servants, peace, prosperity, and people to lead. Solomon wasn’t simply sitting on a throne enjoying the view. He had a lot to manage! Right in the middle of all this, Scripture tells us that God gave Solomon wisdom and a great heart.

That got me thinking. Maybe God’s blessings in our lives aren’t just about what He gives us. Maybe they’re also about giving us the wisdom to steward what He places in our hands.

As we look at this chapter, there are three important truths about building a life that honors God to consider today.

1. Ask God for wisdom to manage what He has given you

Solomon’s kingdom required organization. He had responsibilities, people, resources, and decisions that had to be made every day. God didn’t simply give him the position. He gave him wisdom to carry the responsibility.

That’s important for us because sometimes we pray for God to give us more while we’re struggling to manage what we already have.

We ask for a bigger ministry when we’re having trouble managing the one we’re already serving in. We ask for financial increase when we haven’t learned how to manage what we currently have. We ask God for more opportunities while our calendar is already screaming for mercy! God cares about how we steward what He puts in our hands.

Here are some ways you can put this truth into action in your daily life:

• Ask God each morning, “Lord, give me wisdom for what You have placed in front of me today.”
• Look at your responsibilities and identify one area that needs better stewardship.
• Before making an important decision, stop and ask God for wisdom instead of immediately reacting.
• Don’t despise the small things you’re responsible for. Faithfulness in small things prepares us for greater responsibility.

Maybe your responsibility right now is your family, your job, your home, a ministry assignment, your finances, or a relationship that needs attention. Instead of constantly wishing for something different, ask God how to faithfully handle what He has already placed in your hands.

2. Wisdom isn’t just knowledge, it’s having a heart that cares about people

One phrase in this chapter really stands out to me. God gave Solomon not only wisdom, but “largeness of heart.”

I love that. God didn’t just make Solomon smart. He gave him a heart big enough to carry the responsibility of leading people. There’s a difference between knowing what to do and caring enough about people to do it God’s way. You can have knowledge without compassion. You can have leadership skills without love. You can know Scripture and still be difficult to live with.

Ouch! God wants His wisdom to affect our hearts, not just our heads.

Here are some ways you can put this truth into action in your daily life:

• Before responding to someone who is difficult, ask God to give you wisdom and compassion.
• When you’re leading others, remember that people aren’t projects. They’re people God loves.
• When someone comes to you with a problem, listen before immediately trying to fix it.
• Ask God to give you a greater capacity to love people who aren’t always easy to understand.

Think about your family, coworkers, church relationships, or the people you serve. Maybe the wisdom you need today isn’t knowing what to say. Maybe it’s knowing when to be quiet and listen. Sometimes wisdom sounds like a great speech. Sometimes wisdom sounds like, “Tell me more.”

3. God’s blessing is meant to influence the world around you

By the end of this chapter, Solomon’s wisdom had become widely known. People came from other places to hear his wisdom. His influence wasn’t contained within the walls of his palace.

God had given Solomon something that became a blessing to others. That gives us something to think about. God has placed gifts, experiences, wisdom, resources, and opportunities in every one of our lives. What are we doing with them to share with and help others?

Maybe you have walked through something difficult and now you can encourage someone else who is going through the same thing. Maybe you’ve learned something through years of experience that someone younger desperately needs to hear. Maybe God has given you a gift for teaching, serving, organizing, encouraging, leading, creating, writing, or simply making people feel welcome. Don’t underestimate what God has placed in you.

Here are some ways you can start today:

• Ask God who needs what He has grown in you.
• Look for one person you can encourage this week.
• Share your experience instead of assuming it isn’t valuable.
• Use your gifts in your church, workplace, family, or community.
• Pray, “Lord, show me where I can be a blessing today.”

You don’t have to stand on a stage to make an impact. Sometimes ministry looks like sitting at a kitchen table with someone who needs encouragement. Sometimes it’s making a phone call, serving a meal, opening your home, praying for someone, or sharing something God has walked you through to victory. You may never know how far one act of obedience travels.

The story of Solomon reminds us that God’s wisdom isn’t given simply so we can have better lives. It’s given so we can fulfill the responsibilities He’s entrusted to us and become a blessing to others.

One last thing I don’t want us to miss, Solomon’s wisdom came from God. It wasn’t something he manufactured or downloaded from the latest leadership podcast. It was a gift from God. The same God who gave Solomon wisdom wants to lead us today. We don’t have to figure everything out on our own. We can ask, listen, seek His Word and we can invite the Holy Spirit to guide our decisions.

James 1:5 tells us that if anyone lacks wisdom, we should ask God, who gives generously. That’s an invitation! So when you don’t know what to do, ask. When you’re overwhelmed, ask. When you’re facing a difficult relationship, ask. When you have a big decision, ask. When you don’t know how to manage what God has placed in your hands, ask.

Today I want to encourage you to ask God for wisdom and then put that wisdom into action. Don’t just ask Him to bless what you’re doing. Ask Him what He wants to do through you. Ask Him how to manage your time, your relationships, your resources, your responsibilities, and your influence. Let Him enlarge not only your understanding, but also your heart.

You don’t have to have everything figured out today. You simply need to be willing to listen and obey the next thing He tells you to do. God has already placed something in your hands. Now ask Him for the wisdom to build something beautiful with it.

Today’s scripture reading: 1 Kings 4

1 So King Solomon was king over all Israel. 

2 And these were his officials: Azariah the son of Zadok, the priest; 

3 Elihoreph and Ahijah, the sons of Shisha, scribes; Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud, the recorder; 

4 Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, over the army; Zadok and Abiathar, the priests; 

5 Azariah the son of Nathan, over the officers; Zabud the son of Nathan, a priest and the king’s friend; 

6 Ahishar, over the household; and Adoniram the son of Abda, over the labor force.

7 And Solomon had twelve governors over all Israel, who provided food for the king and his household; each one made provision for one month of the year. 

8 These are their names: Ben-Hur, in the mountains of Ephraim; 

9 Ben-Deker, in Makaz, Shaalbim, Beth Shemesh, and Elon Beth Hanan; 

10 Ben-Hesed, in Arubboth; to him belonged Sochoh and all the land of Hepher; 

11 Ben-Abinadab, in all the regions of Dor; he had Taphath the daughter of Solomon as wife; 

12 Baana the son of Ahilud, in Taanach, Megiddo, and all Beth Shean, which is beside Zaretan below Jezreel, from Beth Shean to Abel Meholah, as far as the other side of Jokneam; 

13 Ben-Geber, in Ramoth Gilead; to him belonged the towns of Jair the son of Manasseh, in Gilead; to him also belonged the region of Argob in Bashan—sixty large cities with walls and bronze gate-bars; 

14 Ahinadab the son of Iddo, in Mahanaim; 

15 Ahimaaz, in Naphtali; he also took Basemath the daughter of Solomon as wife; 

16 Baanah the son of Hushai, in Asher and Aloth; 

17 Jehoshaphat the son of Paruah, in Issachar; 

18 Shimei the son of Elah, in Benjamin; 

19 Geber the son of Uri, in the land of Gilead, in the country of Sihon king of the Amorites, and of Og king of Bashan. He was the only governor who was in the land.

20 Judah and Israel were as numerous as the sand by the sea in multitude, eating and drinking and rejoicing. 

21 So Solomon reigned over all kingdoms from the River to the land of the Philistines, as far as the border of Egypt. They brought tribute and served Solomon all the days of his life.

22 Now Solomon’s provision for one day was thirty kors of fine flour, sixty kors of meal, 

23 ten fatted oxen, twenty oxen from the pastures, and one hundred sheep, besides deer, gazelles, roebucks, and fatted fowl.

24 For he had dominion over all the region on this side of the River from Tiphsah even to Gaza, namely over all the kings on this side of the River; and he had peace on every side all around him. 

25 And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, each man under his vine and his fig tree, from Dan as far as Beersheba, all the days of Solomon.

26 Solomon had forty thousand stalls of horses for his chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen. 

27 And these governors, each man in his month, provided food for King Solomon and for all who came to King Solomon’s table. There was no lack in their supply. 

28 They also brought barley and straw to the proper place, for the horses and steeds, each man according to his charge.

29 And God gave Solomon wisdom and exceedingly great understanding, and largeness of heart like the sand on the seashore. 

30 Thus Solomon’s wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the men of the East and all the wisdom of Egypt. 

31 For he was wiser than all men—than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, Chalcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol; and his fame was in all the surrounding nations. 

32 He spoke three thousand proverbs, and his songs were one thousand and five. 

33 Also he spoke of trees, from the cedar tree of Lebanon even to the hyssop that springs out of the wall; he spoke also of animals, of birds, of creeping things, and of fish. 

34 And men of all nations, from all the kings of the earth who had heard of his wisdom, came to hear the wisdom of Solomon.

Journal:

• What area of my life needs God’s wisdom the most right now?
• Am I asking God for more while struggling to faithfully manage what He has already given me?
• Where do I need God to enlarge my heart toward someone?
• What gifts, experiences, or resources has God placed in my hands that I could use to bless someone else?
• What is one decision I need to stop trying to figure out on my own and bring to God?
• What is the next thing I believe God is asking me to do?

When God’s asks

At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, “Ask! What shall I give you?” ~ 1 Kings 3:5

If God appeared to you tonight and said, “Ask Me for anything,” what would you say? Be honest. Would you ask for financial security? A bigger house? A better job? A problem to disappear? Maybe a winning lottery ticket would slip into the conversation somewhere?

Solomon was given that exact opportunity. God appeared to him in a dream and invited him to ask for whatever he wanted. Solomon could have asked for long life, riches, victory over his enemies, or almost anything else he desired. Instead, he asked for wisdom.

That tells us something about Solomon’s heart at that moment. He understood that the responsibility God had given him was bigger than his ability to handle it on his own. He needed God’s wisdom more than he needed God’s blessings.

What if that’s the kind of prayer God wants to develop in us too? We often ask God to change our circumstances, but sometimes the greater prayer is, “God, change me so I know how to walk through these circumstances.”

Here are three points about asking God for wisdom, recognizing what matters most, and trusting Him with the decisions we face every day.

1. Ask God for wisdom before asking Him to change your circumstances.

Solomon recognized that leading God’s people was a responsibility he couldn’t handle by himself. He didn’t ask God to make the job easier. He asked God to give him the wisdom to do it well. That’s a powerful distinction.

Sometimes our prayers sound like, “God, get me out of this.” But perhaps God wants us to pray, “God, show me how to walk through this.”

Maybe you’re dealing with a difficult person at work. You could pray for God to move them to another department, which, let’s be honest, might be the answer you prefer. But you could also ask God for wisdom to know how to respond with patience, truth, love and grace.

Maybe you’re trying to make a major financial decision. Instead of simply asking God to bless whichever choice you already want to make, ask Him to give you wisdom to know what choice honors Him.

Or maybe you’re parenting a child who is making difficult choices. Ask God for wisdom to know when to speak, when to listen, when to establish boundaries, and when to simply pray. God doesn’t promise to remove every difficult situation, but He promises to give wisdom to those who ask Him.

Start making this a daily prayer: “Lord, give me wisdom for what I’m facing today.”

2. What you value reveals what you really want.

When God gave Solomon the opportunity to ask for anything, Solomon’s request revealed what mattered most to him. He wanted wisdom to lead God’s people well. That makes me wonder what my prayers reveal about my priorities.

There’s nothing wrong with asking God for provision, healing, protection, opportunities, or blessings. God cares about those things. But if most of our prayers are about getting more while very few are about becoming more like Him, we may need to take another look at what we’re pursuing.

Imagine if we began praying: “God, make me more patient.” “Give me wisdom before I speak.” “Help me recognize Your voice.” “Teach me to handle money faithfully.” “Help me love difficult people.” “Show me where I’m wrong.”

That last one might be the hardest prayer of all. We often want God to give us what we want, but wisdom asks God to shape what we want. This week, pay attention to your prayers. What are you asking God for most often? Then ask Him to help you want what matters to Him.

3. Wisdom isn’t just knowing what to do, it’s knowing how to do it.

The story of the two women who came before Solomon is one of the most fascinating examples of wisdom in Scripture. Both women claimed the same baby was theirs, and there were no witnesses to settle the matter.

Solomon needed more than information. He needed discernment. God gave him wisdom to see beyond the surface of the situation and recognize the heart of the true mother.

We need that kind of wisdom today. We live in a world filled with information. We can search almost anything in seconds. We can get opinions from thousands of people before breakfast. We can watch a tutorial on how to fix almost anything, except perhaps the mysterious noise coming from the washing machine.

But information isn’t the same as wisdom. Wisdom asks questions like: “What is really happening here?” “What is motivating me?” “What does God’s Word say?” “What response would honor God?” “What are the consequences of this decision?”

When you’re facing an important decision, don’t just gather more information. Ask God for discernment. Before sending that emotional email, pray. Before making that major purchase, pray. Before responding to criticism, pray. Before making a relationship decision, pray. Before saying yes to another commitment when your calendar already looks like a game of Tetris, pray. God’s wisdom can help you recognize not only what is right, but when and how to respond.

Solomon’s request pleased God because he asked for something that would help him fulfill the responsibility God had given him. That challenges us to consider our own prayers. What if instead of asking God primarily for a more comfortable life, we began asking Him for greater wisdom to live the life He’s already given us?

God cares about the decisions you make today. He cares about your relationships, your work, your family, your finances, your ministry, and the private choices nobody else sees. You don’t have to figure everything out by yourself.

Today I want to encourage you to make wisdom one of your most consistent prayers. Before you ask God to change your circumstances, ask Him to give you wisdom for how to walk through them. Before you make a decision, invite Him into it. Before you respond from emotion, pause and ask what would honor Him. God isn’t irritated by your questions or tired of your need for direction. He wants you to come to Him. You may not always receive an immediate answer, but as you continue seeking Him through His Word and prayer, He will teach you how to recognize His wisdom. You don’t have to know everything. You just need to know the One who does.

Today’s scripture reading: 1 Kings 3

1 Now Solomon made a treaty with Pharaoh king of Egypt, and married Pharaoh’s daughter; then he brought her to the City of David until he had finished building his own house, and the house of the Lord, and the wall all around Jerusalem. 

2 Meanwhile the people sacrificed at the high places, because there was no house built for the name of the Lord until those days. 

3 And Solomon loved the Lord, walking in the statutes of his father David, except that he sacrificed and burned incense at the high places.

4 Now the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was the great high place: Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings on that altar. 

5 At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, “Ask! What shall I give you?”

6 And Solomon said: “You have shown great mercy to Your servant David my father, because he walked before You in truth, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with You; You have continued this great kindness for him, and You have given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. 

7 Now, O Lord my God, You have made Your servant king instead of my father David, but I am a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. 

8 And Your servant is in the midst of Your people whom You have chosen, a great people, too numerous to be numbered or counted. 

9 Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?”

10 The speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. 

11 Then God said to him: “Because you have asked this thing, and have not asked long life for yourself, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have asked the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice, 

12 behold, I have done according to your words; see, I have given you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has not been anyone like you before you, nor shall any like you arise after you. 

13 And I have also given you what you have not asked: both riches and honor, so that there shall not be anyone like you among the kings all your days. 

14 So if you walk in My ways, to keep My statutes and My commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days.”

15 Then Solomon awoke; and indeed it had been a dream. And he came to Jerusalem and stood before the ark of the covenant of the Lord, offered up burnt offerings, offered peace offerings, and made a feast for all his servants.

16 Now two women who were harlots came to the king, and stood before him. 

17 And one woman said, “O my lord, this woman and I dwell in the same house; and I gave birth while she was in the house. 

18 Then it happened, the third day after I had given birth, that this woman also gave birth. And we were together; no one was with us in the house, except the two of us in the house. 

19 And this woman’s son died in the night, because she lay on him. 

20 So she arose in the middle of the night and took my son from my side, while your maidservant slept, and laid him in her bosom, and laid her dead child in my bosom. 

21 And when I rose in the morning to nurse my son, there he was, dead. But when I had examined him in the morning, indeed, he was not my son whom I had borne.”

22 Then the other woman said, “No! But the living one is my son, and the dead one is your son.”

And the first woman said, “No! But the dead one is your son, and the living one is my son.”

Thus they spoke before the king.

23 And the king said, “The one says, ‘This is my son, who lives, and your son is the dead one’; and the other says, ‘No! But your son is the dead one, and my son is the living one.’ ” 

24 Then the king said, “Bring me a sword.” So they brought a sword before the king. 

25 And the king said, “Divide the living child in two, and give half to one, and half to the other.”

26 Then the woman whose son was living spoke to the king, for she yearned with compassion for her son; and she said, “O my lord, give her the living child, and by no means kill him!”

But the other said, “Let him be neither mine nor yours, but divide him.”

27 So the king answered and said, “Give the first woman the living child, and by no means kill him; she is his mother.”

28 And all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had rendered; and they feared the king, for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him to administer justice.

Journal:

• If God asked me today, “What do you want Me to give you?” what would I honestly ask for?
• What does the way I pray reveal about what I value most?
• What situation in my life right now requires God’s wisdom?
• Am I asking God primarily to change my circumstances, or am I also asking Him to change and prepare me?
• What is one decision I need to stop trying to figure out on my own and intentionally bring before God this week?

Finish Well, Follow Faithfully

“And keep the charge of the Lord your God: to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, His commandments, His judgments, and His testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn.” ~ 1 Kings 2:3 

 Have you ever received advice from someone who has already lived through what you were about to face? Maybe it was a parent telling you something you didn’t want to hear, a mentor warning you about a mistake they had already made, or a friend saying, “Trust me, I’ve been there.” Sometimes we listen. Sometimes we nod politely while our brain is already planning to do exactly what they recommended against.

David’s final words to Solomon in today’s scripture reading were more than a father’s farewell. David was passing wisdom to the son who would carry the responsibility of leading God’s people. He knew Solomon would face decisions, pressure, opposition, and opportunities that would test his character. David’s greatest concern wasn’t simply whether Solomon would become a successful king. He wanted Solomon to remain faithful to God.

That’s a message we need today. Our culture often measures success by position, money, influence, accomplishments, or recognition. God measures it differently. He cares about whether we’re walking faithfully with Him. The reason is because God has already designed the successful plan for this life and preserved it in His Word. His heart is for you to live your life in agreement with those ways to release His blessings, not to figure out your own way.

Here are three truths about finishing well, choosing to follow God’s ways, and building a life that honors God.

1. Make walking with God your first priority.

David didn’t begin by giving Solomon political advice. He didn’t tell him how to become more powerful or how to impress the people. His first instruction was to keep the charge of the Lord and walk in His ways.

That tells us something important. Before you worry about what you’re going to accomplish, make sure you’re paying attention to who you’re becoming. You can have a successful career and still be spiritually empty. You can build a beautiful home and still have a broken heart. You can have a full calendar and an empty soul.

God doesn’t want to be squeezed into whatever time is left over after everything else gets done. Make Him your priority. That can look very practical. Start your morning with Scripture before scrolling through your phone. Pray before making an important decision instead of asking everyone else first. Choose obedience when you know what God’s Word says, even when it’s inconvenient. Make church, worship, prayer, and Christian community a priority of the rhythm of your life.

You don’t have to make your spiritual life complicated. Faithfulness is often built through simple choices repeated over time.

2. Character matters more than position.

Solomon was about to become king. He was stepping into a position of tremendous authority, but David knew that leadership without character could become dangerous.

Position can give you influence, but character determines what you do with it. That’s true whether you’re leading a company, raising children, serving in ministry, managing a team, or simply influencing the people around you. You don’t have to have a title to be a leader. People are watching how you handle pressure. They’re watching how you treat people who can’t do anything for you. They’re watching whether your private life matches your public words.

Your character is being formed in the ordinary moments. It’s choosing honesty when nobody would know if you weren’t honest. It’s apologizing when you’re wrong instead of explaining why you were actually right. It’s treating someone with kindness when they haven’t treated you kindly. It’s keeping your word when keeping it becomes inconvenient.

And let’s be honest, sometimes the hardest spiritual discipline isn’t fasting or prayer. It’s keeping your mouth shut when you have a really good comeback. Ask God to help you become the kind of person who can be trusted with whatever He places in your hands.

3. Finish what God has called you to do with faithfulness.

David’s life wasn’t perfect. He made serious mistakes, experienced tremendous loss, and walked through seasons that tested him deeply. Yet as he came to the end of his life, he had wisdom to pass on to the next generation.

That should encourage us, too. You don’t have to have a perfect past to finish well. Maybe you’ve made decisions in the past that you wish you could change. Maybe you’ve wasted time, missed opportunities, or taken a few wrong turns. Don’t allow regret to convince you that your story is over.

God can still use you. Whether you’re raising children who need your wisdom or mentoring someone younger in the faith. Maybe there’s a ministry assignment God has placed on your heart that you’ve been putting off or maybe you simply need to become more intentional about sharing what you’ve learned with the people around you. Whatever the case is, don’t underestimate the value of your experience. The things God has taught you through difficult seasons may become exactly what someone else needs to hear in their struggle today.

David understood that his life wasn’t only about what he accomplished. It was also about what he passed on. We all will leave something behind. The question is, what will it be? This passage reminds us that a life of faith isn’t measured by one great moment. It’s built through thousands of daily decisions to trust God, obey His Word, choose integrity, and keep moving forward. David’s final words to Solomon show us that the greatest legacy we can leave isn’t a title, a bank account, or a list of accomplishments. It’s a life that points people toward God.

Today I want to encourage you to make faithfulness your definition of success. You don’t have to be the most accomplished person in the room, have the biggest platform, or have everything figured out. You simply need to keep walking with God, choosing His ways, and being faithful with what He’s placed in your hands. If you’ve made mistakes, receive His grace and keep going. If you’re in a season of waiting, stay faithful. If God has given you influence, use it to encourage others and point them toward Him. Your life is leaving a legacy, whether you realize it or not. Make it one that tells the next generation, “I learned to trust God, I learned to follow His ways, and I discovered that He was faithful every step of the way.”

Today’s scripture reading: 1 Kings 2

1 Now the days of David drew near that he should die, and he charged Solomon his son, saying: 

2 “I go the way of all the earth; be strong, therefore, and prove yourself a man. 

3 And keep the charge of the Lord your God: to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, His commandments, His judgments, and His testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn; 

4 that the Lord may fulfill His word which He spoke concerning me, saying, ‘If your sons take heed to their way, to walk before Me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul,’ He said, ‘you shall not lack a man on the throne of Israel.’

5 “Moreover you know also what Joab the son of Zeruiah did to me, and what he did to the two commanders of the armies of Israel, to Abner the son of Ner and Amasa the son of Jether, whom he killed. And he shed the blood of war in peacetime, and put the blood of war on his belt that was around his waist, and on his sandals that were on his feet. 

6 Therefore do according to your wisdom, and do not let his gray hair go down to the grave in peace.

7 “But show kindness to the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite, and let them be among those who eat at your table, for so they came to me when I fled from Absalom your brother.

8 “And see, you have with you Shimei the son of Gera, a Benjamite from Bahurim, who cursed me with a malicious curse in the day when I went to Mahanaim. But he came down to meet me at the Jordan, and I swore to him by the Lord, saying, ‘I will not put you to death with the sword.’

9 Now therefore, do not hold him guiltless, for you are a wise man and know what you ought to do to him; but bring his gray hair down to the grave with blood.”

Death of David

10 So David rested with his fathers, and was buried in the City of David. 

11 The period that David reigned over Israel was forty years; seven years he reigned in Hebron, and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty-three years. 

12 Then Solomon sat on the throne of his father David; and his kingdom was firmly established.

Solomon Executes Adonijah

13 Now Adonijah the son of Haggith came to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon. So she said, “Do you come peaceably?” And he said, “Peaceably.” 

14 Moreover he said, “I have something to say to you.” And she said, “Say it.”

15 Then he said, “You know that the kingdom was mine, and all Israel had set their expectations on me, that I should reign. However, the kingdom has been turned over, and has become my brother’s; for it was his from the Lord. 

16 Now I ask one petition of you; do not deny me.” And she said to him, “Say it.”

17 Then he said, “Please speak to King Solomon, for he will not refuse you, that he may give me Abishag the Shunammite as wife.”

18 So Bathsheba said, “Very well, I will speak for you to the king.”

19 Bathsheba therefore went to King Solomon, to speak to him for Adonijah. And the king rose up to meet her and bowed down to her, and sat down on his throne and had a throne set for the king’s mother; so she sat at his right hand. 

20 Then she said, “I desire one small petition of you; do not refuse me.” And the king said to her, “Ask it, my mother, for I will not refuse you.”

21 So she said, “Let Abishag the Shunammite be given to Adonijah your brother as wife.”

22 And King Solomon answered and said to his mother, “Now why do you ask Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? Ask for him the kingdom also—for he is my older brother—for him, and for Abiathar the priest, and for Joab the son of Zeruiah.” 

23Then King Solomon swore by the Lord, saying, “May God do so to me, and more also, if Adonijah has not spoken this word against his own life! 

24 Now therefore, as the Lord lives, who has confirmed me and set me on the throne of David my father, and who has established a house for me, as He promised, Adonijah shall be put to death today!”

25 So King Solomon sent by the hand of Benaiah the son of Jehoiada; and he struck him down, and he died.

Abiathar Exiled, Joab Executed

26 And to Abiathar the priest the king said, “Go to Anathoth, to your own fields, for you are deserving of death; but I will not put you to death at this time, because you carried the ark of the Lord God before my father David, and because you were afflicted every time my father was afflicted.” 

27 So Solomon removed Abiathar from being priest to the Lord, that he might fulfill the word of the Lord which He spoke concerning the house of Eli at Shiloh.

28 Then news came to Joab, for Joab had defected to Adonijah, though he had not defected to Absalom. So Joab fled to the tabernacle of the Lord, and took hold of the horns of the altar. 

29 And King Solomon was told, “Joab has fled to the tabernacle of the Lord; there he is, by the altar.” Then Solomon sent Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, saying, “Go, strike him down.” 

30 So Benaiah went to the tabernacle of the Lord, and said to him, “Thus says the king, ‘Come out!’ ” And he said, “No, but I will die here.” And Benaiah brought back word to the king, saying, “Thus said Joab, and thus he answered me.”

31 Then the king said to him, “Do as he has said, and strike him down and bury him, that you may take away from me and from the house of my father the innocent blood which Joab shed. 

32 So the Lord will return his blood on his head, because he struck down two men more righteous and better than he, and killed them with the sword—Abner the son of Ner, the commander of the army of Israel, and Amasa the son of Jether, the commander of the army of Judah—though my father David did not know it. 

33 Their blood shall therefore return upon the head of Joab and upon the head of his descendants forever. But upon David and his descendants, upon his house and his throne, there shall be peace forever from the Lord.”

34 So Benaiah the son of Jehoiada went up and struck and killed him; and he was buried in his own house in the wilderness. 

35 The king put Benaiah the son of Jehoiada in his place over the army, and the king put Zadok the priest in the place of Abiathar.

36 Then the king sent and called for Shimei, and said to him, “Build yourself a house in Jerusalem and dwell there, and do not go out from there anywhere. 

37 For it shall be, on the day you go out and cross the Brook Kidron, know for certain you shall surely die; your blood shall be on your own head.”

38 And Shimei said to the king, “The saying is good. As my lord the king has said, so your servant will do.” So Shimei dwelt in Jerusalem many days.

39 Now it happened at the end of three years, that two slaves of Shimei ran away to Achish the son of Maachah, king of Gath. And they told Shimei, saying, “Look, your slaves are in Gath!” 

40 So Shimei arose, saddled his donkey, and went to Achish at Gath to seek his slaves. And Shimei went and brought his slaves from Gath. 

41 And Solomon was told that Shimei had gone from Jerusalem to Gath and had come back. 

42 Then the king sent and called for Shimei, and said to him, “Did I not make you swear by the Lord, and warn you, saying, ‘Know for certain that on the day you go out and travel anywhere, you shall surely die’? And you said to me, ‘The word I have heard is good.’ 

43 Why then have you not kept the oath of the Lord and the commandment that I gave you?” 

44 The king said moreover to Shimei, “You know, as your heart acknowledges, all the wickedness that you did to my father David; therefore the Lord will return your wickedness on your own head. 

45 But King Solomon shall be blessed, and the throne of David shall be established before the Lord forever.”

46 So the king commanded Benaiah the son of Jehoiada; and he went out and struck him down, and he died. Thus the kingdom was established in the hand of Solomon.

Journal:

• What is one area of my life where God is asking me to make walking with Him a greater priority?
• What does my current character reveal about what is happening in my heart?
• Is there an area where I need to choose obedience even though it’s difficult or inconvenient?
• What has God taught me through my past that I could use to encourage someone else?
• What kind of spiritual legacy do I want to leave for the people who come after me?

Distracted

“But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee.” ~ Mark 14:28

Have you ever received a gift that was so meaningful you couldn’t throw away the card it came with? The value wasn’t in the paper or the wrapping. It was in the love behind the gift. Every time you looked at it, you remembered the person who gave it and why they gave it.

Communion is much like that. The bread and the cup are not ordinary elements. They are powerful reminders of the greatest act of love the world has ever known.

Since I grew up in church, I’ve heard the account of the Last Supper hundreds of times. I’ve taken communion more times than I could possibly count. But, as I read this passage again, the Lord showed me something I hadn’t noticed before.

When Jesus handed the bread to His disciples, they had no idea what the next twenty-four hours would bring. They couldn’t fully understand what He meant when He said, “This is My body.”

To them, it was another Passover meal. To Jesus, it was the beginning of the greatest demonstration of love in history.

The bread represented His body that would soon be beaten, bruised, and broken for them and for us.

For years, when I read this passage, my attention was usually drawn to Jesus’ obedience. I marveled at His willingness to fulfill the Father’s plan even though it meant unimaginable suffering.

While that is certainly true, there was an even greater motivation behind His obedience. Love. Jesus didn’t go to the cross simply because He had to. He went because He wanted to rescue us.

He wasn’t satisfied with leaving people separated from the Father so He willingly laid down His life so every person would have the opportunity to receive forgiveness, experience God’s love, and spend eternity with Him.

Love was the reason He paid that price. Everything Jesus endured was motivated by love. That truth changes the way I see communion.

Communion isn’t simply a memorial of the Lord Jesus’ suffering. It’s a celebration of His amazing love. Every time we receive the bread and the cup, we’re reminded that we are deeply loved by the Savior who gave everything so we could have everything that truly matters.

That love should never stop with us. It should overflow into the lives of those around us. If we’re only sharing the Gospel because we know we’re supposed to, people will notice. But when we share because our hearts genuinely ache for others to experience the love of Jesus, they notice that more. People may argue with our opinions, but it’s much harder to argue with genuine love.

Here are some ways to live out this passage in your life:

• Approach communion with gratitude. The next time you receive communion, don’t rush through the moment. Thank Jesus for His sacrifice, but also thank Him for His incredible love that made the sacrifice possible.
• Receive His love personally. Don’t simply believe Jesus loves the world. Believe He loves you. Spend time thanking Him for the forgiveness, mercy, and grace He has freely given.
• Let His love shape your relationships. Ask yourself each morning, “Lord, who can I encourage today?” A kind word, a listening ear, or an unexpected act of kindness may be exactly how someone experiences God’s love through you.
• Share the Gospel because you care. Instead of feeling pressured to witness, ask God to fill your heart with compassion. Love is the greatest motivation for telling others about Jesus.

One of the things I’ve learned is that the more I understand God’s love for me, the easier it becomes to love difficult people. That doesn’t mean everyone suddenly becomes easy to deal with. Some people still require extra prayer, and maybe an extra cup of coffee! But when I remember how patient Jesus has been with me, it becomes much easier to extend that same patience to others.

I’ve also realized that communion isn’t meant to leave us looking backward only. It reminds us of what Jesus has done, but it also sends us forward with His love. Every time we receive it, we’re reminded that His body was broken so broken people could be made whole. That includes us, and it includes everyone we’ll meet today.

Today I want to encourage you to never let communion become just another church tradition. Every time you receive the bread and the cup, remember the abundant love that led Jesus to the cross. Receive that love deeply, thank Him for His sacrifice, and then carry His love into the lives of others. The greatest testimony we have is not simply what we know about Jesus, but how faithfully we demonstrate His love to a world that desperately needs Him. As you remember His broken body, let your heart be filled with gratitude, compassion, and a renewed desire to share His love wherever He leads you.

Today’s scripture reading: Mark 14:27-31

27 Then Jesus said to them, “All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written: ‘I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’

28 “But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee.”

29 Peter said to Him, “Even if all are made to stumble, yet I will not be.”

30 Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you that today, even this night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times.”

31 But he spoke more vehemently, “If I have to die with You, I will not deny You!”

And they all said likewise.

Journal:

• When I take communion, do I focus more on Jesus’ suffering or on His incredible love for me?
• Have I fully received God’s love, or do I still struggle to believe He delights in me?
• Who in my life needs to experience the love of Jesus through my words or actions this week?
• Am I sharing my faith out of obligation, or because I genuinely love people?
• What is one practical way I can demonstrate Christ’s love to someone today?

His Body

And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” ~ Mark 14:22

Have you ever heard something so many times that you thought you knew everything there was to know about it, only to suddenly see it from a completely different perspective? That’s what happened to me with this passage. Sometimes a familiar Scripture becomes so familiar that we can almost read right past the treasure hiding inside it.

Since I grew up in church, I’ve probably heard and read the communion passages hundreds of times. I knew the words Jesus spoke to His disciples during His last supper with them. I knew the bread represented His body and the cup represented His blood. But as I considered what to write about this passage, I began to see something I hadn’t fully considered before.

Jesus wasn’t simply explaining what the bread and cup represented. He was preparing His disciples to understand the depth of what He was about to do. He took the bread, blessed it, broke it, and gave it to them. He told them as they ate, “This is My body, that will be broken for each of you.”

Can you imagine sitting at that table and hearing those words? The disciples didn’t understand what was coming. They didn’t know that Jesus would soon be arrested, beaten, crucified, and separated from them. They didn’t understand the full weight of what He was telling them. But Jesus did. He knew exactly what was ahead and He chose it anyway. Why? Because of love.

We often focus on Jesus’ obedience when we think about the cross, and His obedience was absolutely part of it. Jesus came to fulfill the Father’s plan and willingly gave Himself up for us. But underneath His obedience was something even more personal. Love was His motivation.

One of the first verses many of us learned as children says, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8, NKJV

Jesus didn’t go to the cross because we had earned His love. He went because He loved us when we were still sinners.

He wasn’t willing to leave us separated from Him for eternity. His love moved Him to lay down His life so that we could have the opportunity to receive forgiveness, experience His love, and spend eternity with Him and our heavenly Father.

That changes the way we think about sharing the Gospel. When we tell others about Jesus, our motivation shouldn’t simply be that we’re supposed to. We don’t share our testimony because we’ve checked “evangelism” off our Christian responsibility list. We share because we’ve experienced a love that we want others to know too.

Love changes the reason behind what we do. When we serve, we serve because we love. When we encourage, we encourage because we love. When we forgive, we forgive because we’ve experienced forgiveness. When we tell someone about Jesus, we do it because we genuinely want them to know the One who gave everything for them.

We don’t have to hang on a cross to demonstrate love. Thankfully, that job has already been taken. But we can lay down our pride, our preferences, our schedules, and sometimes even our right to be offended.

Here are some ways to begin living this kind of love in your everyday lives?

1. Look for one person who needs encouragement. Maybe it’s a coworker who’s having a difficult week, a neighbor who’s struggling, or someone at church who seems to be carrying a heavy load. Send a text, make a phone call, or simply tell them you’re praying for them.
2. Let love change how you respond. Before reacting to an irritating comment, take a breath and ask, “What would love look like right now?” This could save you from sending the text you might later wish you could magically retrieve. Unfortunately, there’s no spiritual undo button.
3. Share what Jesus has done for you. You don’t need a theological degree or a perfectly prepared speech. Simply tell someone how God has worked in your life. Your story may be exactly what someone needs to hear.
4. Serve when nobody is watching. Look for opportunities to help without needing recognition. Love isn’t always loud. Sometimes it’s quietly doing something for someone because you know it will make their day a little easier.
5. Practice forgiveness. Ask God to help you release offenses instead of carrying them around. Forgiveness doesn’t mean ignoring healthy boundaries or pretending something didn’t happen. It means refusing to let someone else’s actions control your heart.
6. Make communion personal. The next time you receive communion, don’t simply remember that Jesus died. Remember why He willingly gave Himself. Remember His love for you. Let the bread remind you that His body was broken because He loved you enough to give everything.

When we truly understand the love demonstrated through the cross, it should change the way we love the people around us. We aren’t simply following a list of Christian rules. We’re responding to a Savior who loved us first.

Jesus didn’t just tell us to love. He showed us what love looks like. He took the bread, He blessed it, He broke it and then He gave it. That same pattern challenges us today. God has given His love to us so freely, and now we have the opportunity to give that love freely to others.

Today I want to encourage you to remember His love the next time you celebrate communion. Yes, we remember His death until He comes again, but don’t stop there. Remember the love that took Him to the cross. Remember that He willingly laid down His life for people who hadn’t earned it and couldn’t repay Him. Then allow that love to become the motivation behind the way you live, serve, forgive, encourage, and share Jesus with others. You don’t have to change the whole world today. Start with one person, one conversation, one act of kindness or one opportunity to show someone the love you’ve received from the Lord Jesus. His body was broken so that we could be made whole, and His love was given so that we could give it away.

Today’s scripture reading: Mark 14:22-26

22 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.”

23 Then He took the cup, and when He had given thanks He gave it to them, and they all drank from it. 

24 And He said to them, “This is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many. 

25Assuredly, I say to you, I will no longer drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”

26And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Journal:

• When I think about communion, do I primarily think about Jesus’ death, or do I also recognize the depth of His love behind His sacrifice?
• How has God’s love personally changed my life?
• Is there someone in my life who needs to experience God’s love through my words or actions?
• What is one practical way I can show Christ’s love to someone this week?
• Is there someone I need to forgive or show grace toward because of the love I’ve received from Jesus?

The Right Plan

 “Then Nathan said to Bathsheba, ‘Do you not know that Adonijah the son of Haggith has become king, and David our lord does not know it?’” ~ 1 Kings 1:11

Have you ever watched something happening and thought, “How in the world did this happen without anyone noticing?” Sometimes life can change direction while we’re busy doing something else. One minute everything seems normal, and the next minute you discover that someone has been making plans, doors have been opening, and decisions have been made without you even knowing about them.

That’s what happened in today’s scripture reading. David was old and near the end of his life. While he was physically weak, his son Adonijah decided he would make himself king. He gathered chariots, horsemen, influential people, and even prepared a celebration. The problem was that God had already established Solomon as the one who would succeed David.

Adonijah had a plan, but his plan wasn’t God’s plan. That distinction matters for us today because we can sometimes mistake activity for assignment. Just because something is gaining momentum doesn’t mean God is behind it. Just because people are gathering around it doesn’t mean it’s His direction. Sometimes something can look very successful while being completely outside God’s purpose. Remember this, God doesn’t need us to manipulate circumstances to accomplish what He has planned. He does ask us to listen, obey, and participate when He gives us a part to play.

Below are three truths for this passage that we implement in our everyday lives:

1. Don’t confuse opportunity with God’s assignment

Adonijah saw an opportunity and decided to take it. He didn’t wait for David to appoint him nor did he seek God’s direction, he simply announced himself as king. He had the appearance of success because people were following him, there was a celebration and influential people were supporting him. But none of that meant he was in God’s will.

We can fall into the same trap. A door opens, someone compliments us, an opportunity comes along, and suddenly we’re thinking, “This must be God!” It may be the truth in some cases, but an open door isn’t automatically a God door. Sometimes we need to slow down long enough to ask, “Lord, is this something You are asking me to walk through?”

Here are some guidelines to keep you from that trap:

• Before saying yes to a major opportunity, pray about it and seek God’s direction.
• Don’t let other people’s excitement become your confirmation.
• Ask whether the opportunity agrees with God’s Word and His direction for your life.
• Give yourself permission to wait when you’re unsure.

Maybe someone offers you a promotion that would bring more money but would require you to sacrifice the things God has clearly told you to prioritize. Maybe you’re invited into a ministry opportunity that sounds impressive but doesn’t fit what God has asked you to do in this season. Not every good opportunity is your opportunity. Sometimes the most spiritual thing you can say is, “Let me pray about that first.”

2. God can use the right people to help protect His purpose

One of my favorite parts of this chapter is the way God used Nathan and Bathsheba to bring the situation to David’s attention. Nathan recognized what was happening and acted. Bathsheba went before David and reminded him of his promise concerning Solomon. Then Nathan came and confirmed what she had said. God moved through people working together to make sure His purpose wasn’t overlooked.

This is an important reminder that we aren’t supposed to walk through life completely on our own. God brings others to bring clarity when we’re too close to a situation to see it clearly. He may use a friend to ask a question we don’t want to answer. He may send a pastor, coach, spouse, or trusted believer to say, “Have you prayed about this?” Sometimes God’s direction comes through a quiet prompting in your spirit. Sometimes it comes through a conversation with someone who loves you enough to tell you the truth. And let’s be honest, sometimes we don’t want the truth. We want someone to agree with us.

Here are some ways to apply thing in your everyday life:

• Keep trusted, godly people close to you.
• Give people permission to speak honestly into your life.
• Don’t dismiss wise counsel simply because it challenges your plans.
• Ask yourself, “Who has God placed around me who can help me hear clearly?”

If you’re considering a major decision, don’t just ask someone who will tell you what you want to hear. Find someone who loves God, knows you well, and isn’t afraid to tell you when you’re getting off track.

3. God can establish His plan even when things look chaotic

By the end of the chapter, everything changed quickly. David acted and Solomon was anointed king. The people celebrated and Adonijah’s followers heard what had happened and scattered. What looked like a crisis suddenly turned into confirmation.

That’s encouraging because sometimes we see circumstances moving in a direction that seems completely opposite from what God has told us. You may have prayed about something for years, and suddenly it looks like someone else is getting the opportunity you thought was yours. You may have watched someone else get the position, the recognition, the relationship, or the opportunity. You may even think, “Lord, did I misunderstand You?” Don’t panic because something is moving before you can see how God is going to work it out. Adonijah’s celebration didn’t cancel God’s plan for Solomon. And someone else’s activity doesn’t cancel what God has spoken to you.

You can apply this today by following the steps below:

• Don’t make permanent decisions based on temporary circumstances.
• When something unexpected happens, take it to God before reacting.
• Remind yourself of what God has already spoken through His Word.
• Keep doing the things God has clearly asked you to do while you wait for the next step.
• Celebrate what God is doing in someone else’s life without assuming their blessing means you’ve been forgotten.

Sometimes we’re so busy watching someone else’s parade that we miss what God is preparing for us. This passage in 1 Kings reminds us that God’s plan doesn’t depend on everything looking peaceful and orderly. There were competing agendas, political maneuvering, confusion, and people trying to make things happen for themselves, but God was still working.

That’s good news for us. Your circumstances don’t have to look perfect for God to be working. You don’t have to control every outcome and you don’t have to force every door open. You don’t have to convince everyone that you’re called and you don’t have to compete with someone else’s assignment. Your job is to stay close enough to God to hear His direction and humble enough to follow it.

Today I want to encourage you to stop and ask God what His plan is for this season of your life. Don’t let an exciting opportunity, someone else’s success, or a sudden change in circumstances cause you to run ahead of Him. Take time to listen, seek wise counsel, trust the people God has placed around you and when things don’t make sense, remember that God isn’t confused just because you are.

If God has called you to something, you don’t have to manipulate it into existence. He knows how to establish His purpose at the right time and in the right way. Your part isn’t to make yourself king. Your part is to hear the King and follow Him.

Today’s Scripture Reading: 1 Kings 1

1 Now King David was old, advanced in years; and they put covers on him, but he could not get warm. 

2 Therefore his servants said to him, “Let a young woman, a virgin, be sought for our lord the king, and let her stand before the king, and let her care for him; and let her lie in your bosom, that our lord the king may be warm.” 

3 So they sought for a lovely young woman throughout all the territory of Israel, and found Abishag the Shunammite, and brought her to the king. 

4 The young woman was very lovely; and she cared for the king, and served him; but the king did not know her.

5 Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, “I will be king”; and he prepared for himself chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him. 

6 (And his father had not rebuked him at any time by saying, “Why have you done so?” He was also very good-looking. His mother had borne him after Absalom.) 

7 Then he conferred with Joab the son of Zeruiah and with Abiathar the priest, and they followed and helped Adonijah. 

8 But Zadok the priest, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei, Rei, and the mighty men who belonged to David were not with Adonijah.

9 And Adonijah sacrificed sheep and oxen and fattened cattle by the stone of Zoheleth, which is by En Rogel; he also invited all his brothers, the king’s sons, and all the men of Judah, the king’s servants. 

10 But he did not invite Nathan the prophet, Benaiah, the mighty men, or Solomon his brother.

11 So Nathan spoke to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon, saying, “Have you not heard that Adonijah the son of Haggith has become king, and David our lord does not know it? 

12 Come, please, let me now give you advice, that you may save your own life and the life of your son Solomon. 

13 Go immediately to King David and say to him, ‘Did you not, my lord, O king, swear to your maidservant, saying, “Assuredly your son Solomon shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne“? Why then has Adonijah become king?’ 

14 Then, while you are still talking there with the king, I also will come in after you and confirm your words.”

15 So Bathsheba went into the chamber to the king. (Now the king was very old, and Abishag the Shunammite was serving the king.) 

16 And Bathsheba bowed and did homage to the king. Then the king said, “What is your wish?”

17 Then she said to him, “My lord, you swore by the Lord your God to your maidservant, saying, ‘Assuredly Solomon your son shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne.’ 

18 So now, look! Adonijah has become king; and now, my lord the king, you do not know about it. 

19 He has sacrificed oxen and fattened cattle and sheep in abundance, and has invited all the sons of the king, Abiathar the priest, and Joab the commander of the army; but Solomon your servant he has not invited. 

20 And as for you, my lord, O king, the eyes of all Israel are on you, that you should tell them who will sit on the throne of my lord the king after him. 

21 Otherwise it will happen, when my lord the king rests with his fathers, that I and my son Solomon will be counted as offenders.”

22 And just then, while she was still talking with the king, Nathan the prophet also came in. 

23 So they told the king, saying, “Here is Nathan the prophet.” And when he came in before the king, he bowed down before the king with his face to the ground. 

24 And Nathan said, “My lord, O king, have you said, ‘Adonijah shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne’? 

25 For he has gone down today, and has sacrificed oxen and fattened cattle and sheep in abundance, and has invited all the king’s sons, and the commanders of the army, and Abiathar the priest; and look! They are eating and drinking before him; and they say, ‘Long live King Adonijah!’ 

26 But he has not invited me—me your servant—nor Zadok the priest, nor Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, nor your servant Solomon. 

27 Has this thing been done by my lord the king, and you have not told your servant who should sit on the throne of my lord the king after him?”

28 Then King David answered and said, “Call Bathsheba to me.” So she came into the king’s presence and stood before the king. 

29 And the king took an oath and said, “As the Lord lives, who has redeemed my life from every distress, 

30 just as I swore to you by the Lord God of Israel, saying, ‘Assuredly Solomon your son shall be king after me, and he shall sit on my throne in my place,’ so I certainly will do this day.”

31 Then Bathsheba bowed with her face to the earth, and paid homage to the king, and said, “Let my lord King David live forever!”

32 And King David said, “Call to me Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada.” So they came before the king. 

33 The king also said to them, “Take with you the servants of your lord, and have Solomon my son ride on my own mule, and take him down to Gihon. 

34 There let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him king over Israel; and blow the horn, and say, ‘Long live King Solomon!’ 

35 Then you shall come up after him, and he shall come and sit on my throne, and he shall be king in my place. For I have appointed him to be ruler over Israel and Judah.”

36 Benaiah the son of Jehoiada answered the king and said, “Amen! May the Lord God of my lord the king say so too. 

37 As the Lord has been with my lord the king, even so may He be with Solomon, and make his throne greater than the throne of my lord King David.”

38 So Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the Cherethites, and the Pelethites went down and had Solomon ride on King David’s mule, and took him to Gihon. 

39 Then Zadok the priest took a horn of oil from the tabernacle and anointed Solomon. And they blew the horn, and all the people said, “Long live King Solomon!” 

40 And all the people went up after him; and the people played the flutes and rejoiced with great joy, so that the earth seemed to split with their sound.

41 Now Adonijah and all the guests who were with him heard it as they finished eating. And when Joab heard the sound of the horn, he said, “Why is the city in such a noisy uproar?” 

42 While he was still speaking, there came Jonathan, the son of Abiathar the priest. And Adonijah said to him, “Come in, for you are a prominent man, and bring good news.”

43 Then Jonathan answered and said to Adonijah, “No! Our lord King David has made Solomon king. 

44 The king has sent with him Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the Cherethites, and the Pelethites; and they have made him ride on the king’s mule. 

45 So Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet have anointed him king at Gihon; and they have gone up from there rejoicing, so that the city is in an uproar. This is the noise that you have heard. 

46 Also Solomon sits on the throne of the kingdom. 

47 And moreover the king’s servants have gone to bless our lord King David, saying, ‘May God make the name of Solomon better than your name, and may He make his throne greater than your throne.’ Then the king bowed himself on the bed. 

48 Also the king said thus, ‘Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, who has given one to sit on my throne this day, while my eyes see it!’ ”

49 So all the guests who were with Adonijah were afraid, and arose, and each one went his way.

50 Now Adonijah was afraid of Solomon; so he arose, and went and took hold of the horns of the altar. 

51 And it was told Solomon, saying, “Indeed Adonijah is afraid of King Solomon; for look, he has taken hold of the horns of the altar, saying, ‘Let King Solomon swear to me today that he will not put his servant to death with the sword.’ ”

52 Then Solomon said, “If he proves himself a worthy man, not one hair of him shall fall to the earth; but if wickedness is found in him, he shall die.” 

53 So King Solomon sent them to bring him down from the altar. And he came and fell down before King Solomon; and Solomon said to him, “Go to your house.”

Journal:

• Is there an opportunity in my life right now that I need to pray about before moving forward?
• Have I ever mistaken an open door for God’s direction?
• Who are the trusted people God has placed in my life to help me hear clearly?
• Am I currently comparing my journey with someone else’s?
• Is there something I’m trying to force that I need to surrender to God?
• What has God already spoken to me that I need to continue trusting while I wait?