How can we apply Solomon's example of reverence in our daily lives? The Moment That Shows Solomon’s Heart “Solomon brought Pharaoh’s daughter up from the City of David to the house he had built for her, for he said, ‘My wife shall not dwell in the house of David king of Israel, because the places the ark of the LORD has entered are holy.’” (2 Chronicles 8:11) By relocating his wife, Solomon drew a careful line around what had been touched by God’s presence. He would not let ordinary, even honorable, things blur the holiness that belonged to the Lord alone. Why This Matters for Us • Holiness is not abstract; it is tied to places, actions, and attitudes. • God invites us to treat what He calls holy with unmistakable respect. • Reverence shapes not only worship services but everyday decisions. Practical Ways to Mirror Solomon’s Reverence 1. Set Apart Spaces for God • Create a quiet corner at home for Scripture and prayer. • Keep church facilities neat and welcoming, arriving early rather than rushing in. • Like Moses at the burning bush (Exodus 3:5), remember that any place where God meets us becomes “holy ground.” 2. Draw Clear Moral Boundaries • Decline entertainment that mocks God’s standards. • Filter conversations, social media, and humor through Philippians 4:8—whatever is true, honorable, just, pure. • Guard the eye-gate and ear-gate, realizing the Holy Spirit dwells within (1 Corinthians 6:19). 3. Honor Marriage and Family Life • Solomon ensured his wife lived where holiness would not be compromised; we can lovingly protect our households from spiritual compromise. • Schedule family devotions; make Sunday worship non-negotiable. • Treat disagreements at home with grace, “for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God” (James 1:20). 4. Prepare the Heart Before Worship • Confess sin beforehand (1 John 1:9) so corporate worship isn’t approached casually. • Arrive expecting God to speak; reverence grows where anticipation grows. • Dress, speak, and act in ways that highlight the greatness of the One we meet. 5. Cultivate Awe Daily • Begin mornings reading a Psalm of praise; end evenings recounting daily mercies (Lamentations 3:22-23). • Pause before meals, meetings, and major decisions to acknowledge God’s rule (Proverbs 3:5-6). • Let Hebrews 12:28 steer attitudes: “Let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe.” Scripture Echoes That Deepen the Lesson • Psalm 89:7 — “God is greatly feared in the council of the holy ones …” • Isaiah 6:3 — “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Hosts …” • Ecclesiastes 5:1 — “Guard your steps when you go to the house of God.” • 1 Peter 1:15-16 — “Be holy in all your conduct …” Living It Out This Week • Choose one room, one activity, and one relationship to newly dedicate to God’s purposes. • Speak a brief “Lord, this is Yours” before starting any task. • Review your media intake; drop one item that dulls reverence. • Teach a child or friend why “holy” still matters, using Solomon’s example. Solomon’s simple move of honoring sacred space still speaks: wherever God’s presence has been invited, treat that ground—and your own heart—with holy care. |
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