READ 1 Kings 6
Solomon oversees the temple construction, making it a work of art glorifying God.

INSIGHT
The temple that Solomon builds for the Lord is spectacular. The stonework is
magnificent; the tapestry work is glorious; and nearly everything inside is overlaid with
gold. Why such opulence? Because the temple is to be a physical representation of the
beauty and glory of God. One is supposed to be able to look at the temple and be
reminded of the beauty of God. It is not beauty for beauty’s sake, but for the glory of the
God of beauty.

PRAYER
Offer God your praise in the words of this Scripture:
May the name of God
Be praised forever and ever,  
For wisdom and power belong to him.
He changes the times and seasons;
He removes kings and establishes kings.  
He gives wisdom to the wise
And knowledge to those
Who have understanding.  
He reveals the deep and hidden things;
He knows what is in the darkness,  
And light dwells with him
(Daniel 2:20-22).

Pause for personal praise and thanksgiving. Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
If we say, “We have no sin,”  
We are deceiving ourselves,
And the truth is not in us.
If we confess our sins,
He is faithful and righteous
To forgive us our sins and to cleanse us
From all unrighteousness (1 John 1:8-9).

Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind. Now pray this affirmation to the Lord:
For I am not ashamed of the gospel,  
Because it is the power of God for salvation  
To everyone who believes,
First to the Jew, and also to the Greek.    
For in it the righteousness of God is revealed
From faith to faith, just as it is written:
The righteous will live by faith
(Romans 1:16-17).

As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:

• Greater wisdom for living
• The needs of your immediate family
• Whatever else is on your heart

Offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
Moreover, keep your servant from willful sins;  
Do not let them rule me.  
Then I will be blameless
And cleansed from blatant rebellion.  
May the words of my mouth
And the meditation of my heart
Be acceptable to you,  
Lord, my rock and my Redeemer
(Psalm 19:13-14).