1 Kings 5:1–6:38; Acts 7:1-29; Psalm 127:1-5; Proverbs 16:28-30
Except the Lord Build the House
Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. – Psalm 127:1
If God is not included in whatever we do, what we do is pointless. But with God in our lives as the foundation and focus, nothing we do is a waste of time.
In today’s reading, we were given details of how Solomon built the temple for the Lord. Had those not been the Lord’s plans, Solomon’s task would have been impossible. But God…
The Word of the Lord Came to Solomon
And the word of the LORD came to Solomon, saying, Concerning this house which thou art in building, if thou wilt walk in my statutes, and execute my judgments, and keep all my commandments to walk in them; then will I perform my word with thee, which I spake unto David thy father: – 1 Kings 6:11-12
Stephen Speaks of Moses
for he (Moses) supposed his brethren would have understood how that God by his hand would deliver them: but they understood not. – Acts 7:25
Yesterday in Acts, we saw the establishment of deacons. They were a group created and ordained to serve the needs of the believers. One of them was named Stephen. Stephen was a godly man but was arrested for allegedly profaning Moses’ teachings and blaspheming God. Today’s reading is Stephen’s testimony, and he tells the story of the Hebrew people. He intended to show he was a person who knew his heritage and that he was not out to abolish Moses’ teachings or to blasphemy. Stephen’s words are a great review.
A Froward Man
A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends. – Proverbs 16:28
Froward – Habitually disposed to disobedience and opposition; ungovernable; rebellious
Strife – bitter sometimes violent conflict or dissension; fight or struggle; exertion or contention for superiority
a lamp and a light 