Hinge Verse --1 Kings 5:3-4
When David was king, he built a cedar house for himself but felt guilty that God's presence still lived in a tent. (2 Samuel 7) The prophet Nathan at first said to David "Then build a house for God." But God came to Nathan and told him to go tell David that He has never complained or asked any leaders to build Him a temple. And furthermore, because David had shed so much blood as a warrior, he would not be allowed to be the one to build God a temple. Instead, David's son--not yet born--would be the one to build a temple for the Lord. David, rather than being hurt that he would not be allowed to build a temple for God, immediately broke into a prayer of gratitude "Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house, that You have brought me thus far?"
Years later, King Solomon, king David's son, is preparing to build the temple his father only dreamed of. Hiram, King of Tyre, was a friend of King David's, and had even furnished materials when David's palace was being built. (2 Samuel 5:11) Solomon recaps David's desire to build a house for the name of the LORD his God, but could not because he had been a man of war. And then Solomon sees the pivot--
"But now the LORD my God has given me rest on every side. There is neither adversary nor misfortune."
Solomon has a love and allegiance for God--likely learned from his own father --and made it his own.
We learned about Rev. Robert Hunt on Day 1. Upon arriving in America, he erected a cross and led the first prayer service in America. The settlers had brought the cross from England to keep the glory of God forefront of their mission. They then moved inland and settled in Jamestown. They met for twice a day for prayer under an old sail in the middle of town until a permanent church could be built. They finally were able to build a sort of barn which could barely keep out the elements; but according to John Smith:
"We had daily prayer every morning and evening, two sermons every Sunday, and ever three months we took Holy Communion..."
Part of the daily prayer included these words:
"Our desires are now to serve and please Thee, and our purpose is to endeavor it more faithfully, we pray Thee therefore for the Lord Jesus sake seal up in our consciences Thy gracious pardon of all our sins past, and give us to feel the consolation of this grace shed abroad in our hearts for our eternal comfort and salvation."
But God.. His Name in verse 4, is Elohim, singular yet plural. One God with many attributes. Eternal, faithful, good, gracious, holy, just, sovereign, wise....You answered prayer back then, Lord You will answer now. You are the same God. You are the same God.
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