“I am sending you a master craftsman named Huram-abi, who is extremely talented. His mother is from the tribe of Dan in Israel, and his father is from Tyre. He is skillful at making things from gold, silver, bronze, and iron, and he also works with stone and wood. He can work with purple, blue, and scarlet cloth and fine linen. He is also an engraver and can follow any design given to him. He will work with your craftsmen and those appointed by my lord David, your father.” (2 Chronicles 2:13-14 NLT)
When Solomon became King of Israel the timing was perfect for the construction of the Temple for the Lord that David had longed to build, to begin, but the Lord told him to let Solomon oversee it. However, David did much to not only make sure there were adequate materials, but also excellent craftsmen to see it to completion.
His goal was to build something exquisitely designed and constructed, because, in Solomon’s words: “This must be a magnificent Temple because our God is greater than all other gods.” But as magnificent as it actually was, it was only a temporary symbol of the dwelling place of God. The “temple” of God today is you and me and every other believer in the Lord Jesus Christ. Compared to the Temple Solomon had constructed, having to live in a human body seems a far step down. But is it?
According to Psalm 139:14: “Thank You for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous – how well I know it.” We may not be as awe inspiring when someone looks at us, but we can live, breathe, speak, think, obey, defend, and actively pursue the God of the Bible. If you’re a building, all you have to do is sit and look pretty, which, unfortunately, a lot of believer’s seem to think is their role today.
The fact is, God took special care when He created each of us. We’re no accident, and the details of our lives tell a story of, not only who we are, but why we are. Too often we blame God for making us the way He did because we don’t take the time or make the effort to see the detail with which He formed us. No one looks like us, thinks like us, believes like us, has the capacity to obey God as we do.
I think of Samuel when he followed the Lord’s command to anoint one of Jesse’s sons as King. Eliab, the eldest, was large in stature, a strong warrior, a seeming perfect choice for king, but the Lord said “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
Even Samuel, the seasoned saint of God missed God’s heart when it came to choosing a king, and we do as well when we look in the mirror and fail to see greatness, confidence, competence, valor, and victory. And please don’t misunderstand, those aren’t our characteristics, but the Lion of Judah who resides in us.
We’re nothing apart from Jesus and can do nothing of eternal value. When we think more highly of ourselves, we become Samuel misjudging the sons of David. It’s only when we understand how intricately interwoven our inmost being is; how our great Creator God shaped and designed us to be more than we ever dreamed we could be, that finally the pieces begin to fit together and we see that our partnership with the living God results in a “dynamic duo” that the enemy, Satan, is powerless to defeat.
You’re more than you ever imagined you could be. Stop staring at yourself and start gazing at the beauty of your Master Jesus and you’ll marvel at the things He will enable you to see, think, and do for His eternal glory.
Food for thought.
Blessings, Ed 😊
Walking With Jesus 