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I Build an House 2 Chronicles 2:4 "Behold, I build an house to the name of the LORD my God, to dedicate it to him, and to burn before him sweet incense, and for the continual shewbread, and for the burnt offerings morning and evening, on the sabbaths, and on the new moons, and on the solemn feasts of the LORD our God. This is an ordinance for ever to Israel." Solomon said, "Behold, I build an house..." Building a house for the Lord was the greatest task that Solomon would undertake. Though Solomon had a great desire to build an house for God, there were several things he had to do to succeed in this great task. Though this task took several years, the Scriptures say that he finished the task of building a house for the LORD. When a couple gets married, they start a journey of building a home. There is a big difference between building a house and building a home. A house is an edifice for someone to live in, but a home consists of people. I often say that I am home when my wife and daughter are with me. I can be at home when I am traveling, or I can be at home in the house in which we live. My home consist of my wife, my daughter and myself. Whenever they are with me, I am home. However, if a person is going to build a home for the Lord, then they must follow the same things that Solomon did to build a house for the LORD. First, it will take determination. You must understand that you will need to be determined if you're going to build your home for the LORD. The world in which we live has an all out attack against the home. You must be determined that no matter what the world throws your way that you are going to build your home for the LORD. When your finances are low, you must still be determined to build your home for the LORD. When you go through trials as a family, it takes determination to build your home for the LORD. When family members attack you for the way that you live, you must be determined to build your home for the LORD. You will never be successful in building your home for the LORD if you're not determined. When everything comes at you and tries to destroy your home, determination must continue if your are going to build your home for the LORD. Second, you must realize that you are doing a great work. Solomon acknowledged more than once that it was a great work that he was doing. Your home is a great work. Nothing in this world should overshadow the great work of building your home. Your job is not more important than your home. Making money is not more important than your home. Fulfilling fleshly desires is not more important than your home. The greatest work you will undertake is the work of building your home. Don't forsake your home for something that is second rate. Third, you must determine to build your home for God. In verse 4, Solomon acknowledged that he was building the house for God. The only way you will have a happy home is if you build it for God. You cannot build your home for your name's sake, but you must build it for God's names sake. You cannot build it for your own glory, but you must build your home for the glory of God. Finally, you need to get help from God to build a home for Him. One of your prayers everyday should be to ask God for help as you build your home for Him. Don't try doing this task alone, for it is too great for you to do by yourself. Only God can give you the wisdom and strength to build a successful home. This desire for God's help in building your home should be a desire that causes you to earnestly beg Him for His help. Building a home for God is a worthy cause, but you will never succeed without His help. |