The Lord has done great things for us,
and we rejoiced.
(Psalm 126:3)
1 Kings 7:1-51
Solomon built other buildings, big and expensive.
Acts 7:30-50
Stephen also reminded them that leaders chosen by God weren't always immediately accepted. He has been preaching to them about their ancestors. Abraham and then Moses were willing to leave home, to travel to unknown places, (and for Moses, to spend decades in the wilderness without reaching the destination). Moses over and over had to face the complaints of his followers who kept insisting that they ought to return rather than go on to something yet unseen.
Stephen then used Solomon as a bad example because he insisted on building a visible temple. Turning to the religious authorities, Stephen chastised them, "God doesn't live in a house that humans can build."
To summarize: buildings should not be the goal of your life with God. God expects you to leave the comfortable and spend some time with the unfamiliar and the uncomfortable.
Psalm 126:1-6
Proverbs 16:31-33
Gray hair is a crown of glory;
it is gained in a righteous life.
One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty,
and one whose temper is controlled than one
who captures a city.
The lot is cast into the lap,
but the decision is the Lord's alone.
Prayer for Today: O Lord, our God, help us turn away from false gods that promise us security, advancement, rewards, and to turn toward you. Remind us that you don't just stay in that big building we call our church but are with us and before us and behind us in all we do and try to do. Amen.
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