What steps can we take to build for God during peaceful times? The gift of God-given rest “But now the LORD my God has given me rest on every side, and there is no adversary or disaster.” — 1 Kings 5:4 Solomon recognizes that peace is not happenstance; it is a divine grant. Rest is God’s invitation to move from surviving to building. Why peace is the ideal building season • Peace removes distractions, letting us hear God’s detailed instructions (1 Kings 6:1). • Peace highlights stewardship: seasons of quiet are tests of faithfulness, not vacations from obedience (Luke 12:42-44). • Peace positions us to bless others instead of defending ourselves (2 Corinthians 9:8). Step 1: Secure wholehearted devotion • Examine motives: Are we building for God’s fame or our own? (1 Chronicles 28:9). • Purify hearts through confessed sin, keeping channels clear (1 John 1:9). • Renew first-love passion so that activity flows from intimacy (Revelation 2:4-5). Step 2: Seek God’s specific blueprint • Solomon waited for God’s timing and plans before laying one stone (1 Kings 6:38). • Daily Scripture intake aligns ideas with divine pattern (Psalm 119:105). • Wise counsel confirms direction (Proverbs 15:22). Step 3: Gather resources diligently • Solomon amassed timber, stone, and skilled labor ahead of construction (1 Kings 5:6-18). • Use peaceful margins to grow skills, finances, and teams for future ministry. • Practice disciplined giving and saving, mirroring the ant’s preparation (Proverbs 6:6-8). Step 4: Cultivate strategic partnerships • Hiram of Tyre supplied cedar and craftsmen (1 Kings 5:8-9). • Forge relationships across cultures and generations, centered on shared reverence for God. • Guard partnerships with clear, righteous agreements (2 Corinthians 6:14). Step 5: Maintain humility and worship • Solomon’s negotiations overflowed from gratitude, not entitlement (1 Kings 5:7). • Regular worship services and private praise keep hearts soft (Psalm 34:1). • Acknowledge that every achievement is by grace, preventing pride (James 4:6). Step 6: Work with excellence and order • Stones were shaped off-site to keep temple construction quiet and reverent (1 Kings 6:7). • Plan thoroughly so ministry advances without chaos (1 Corinthians 14:40). • Strive for quality that reflects God’s glory, not mediocrity (Colossians 3:23-24). Step 7: Guard the peace God grants • Solomon resisted unnecessary conflicts, preserving the work atmosphere (1 Kings 5:3-4). • Practice peacemaking in relationships (Romans 12:18). • Intercede for authorities so societal peace endures (1 Timothy 2:1-2). Living the lesson today When God grants a lull in conflict, it is a divine summons to build—our character, homes, churches, and communities—for His glory. By devoting ourselves wholly, seeking His plans, assembling resources, partnering wisely, remaining humble, aiming for excellence, and preserving peace, we honor the gift of rest and transform quiet days into enduring monuments to the Lord. |
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