Today’s Reading: 1 Kings 7:1–51, Mark 4:26–5:20, Prov 1:28–33

Today’s Theme: Grow Strong

Today’s theme is about us growing, as we are established in strength by God. God desires that we grow greatly and live securely as we trust in Him.

1 Kings 7:1–51

Don’t let your heart be stolen

His own house where he was to dwell, in the other court back of the hall, was of like workmanship. Solomon also made a house like this hall for Pharaoh’s daughter whom he had taken in marriage.(1 Kings 7:8, ESV)

A sign that Solomon was allowing his heart to be stolen. Signs will be the thing or one you spend the most money and time on.

Like Bezalel

He was the son of a widow of the tribe of Naphtali, and his father was a man of Tyre, a worker in bronze. And he was full of wisdom, understanding, and skill for making any work in bronze. He came to King Solomon and did all his work.(1 Kings 7:14, ESV)

A bit like Bezalel from Moses’ time, both are a good example of how the Lord blesses us and wants us to use our practical skills to build His kingdom.

Be established in strength

He set up the pillars at the vestibule of the temple. He set up the pillar on the south and called its name Jachin, and he set up the pillar on the north and called its name Boaz.(1 Kings 7:21, ESV)

The names of these pillars are significant; the first means established, and the second means strength. We ask the Lord that you, your household, career and ministry would be established in strength.

Be a finisher

Hiram also made the pots, the shovels, and the basins. So Hiram finished all the work that he did for King Solomon on the house of the Lord:(1 Kings 7:40, ESV)

We must be finishers of the work we set our hands to.

Mark 4:26–5:20

Growth in God

But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”(Mark 4:29, ESV)

We do not know how the kingdom of God grows, but we do know that we benefit from the regeneration, sanctifying and building work of the Holy Spirit.

Great growth

yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants and puts out large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.”(Mark 4:32, ESV)

In God’s kingdom, internal value and potential is most important, thus the example of the mustard seed, which seems most insignificant but grows larger than all other seeds in its class.

It is through internal growth and investment that great growth and progress is made.

Everything explained

He did not speak to them without a parable, but privately to his own disciples he explained everything.(Mark 4:34, ESV)

Ours is not a mystery religion, The Lord explains everything to His disciples, He wants us to be informed, intelligent and in the know, so we grow.

Don’t be afraid

He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?”(Mark 4:40, ESV)

It is so easy to respond like the disciples. Lord, help us to have faith and to not be afraid of the storms around us.

Fear God

And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”(Mark 4:41, ESV)

Now they were filled with the right kind of fear.

Total authority

So he gave them permission. And the unclean spirits came out and entered the pigs; and the herd, numbering about two thousand, rushed down the steep bank into the sea and drowned in the sea.(Mark 5:13, ESV)

There was no fight here, Jesus had total authority over these demons, they had to ask His permission.

Mental health has a spiritual dimension

And those who had seen it described to them what had happened to the demon-possessed man and to the pigs.(Mark 5:16, ESV)

The pigs prove this is not just a state of mind.

Proverbs 1:28–33

Have a soft heart

Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently but will not find me.(Proverbs 1:28, ESV)

We must not have hard hearts towards The Lord or His instruction, otherwise when we seek it in earnest, we may not find it.

Don’t be complacent

For the simple are killed by their turning away, and the complacency of fools destroys them;(Proverbs 1:32, ESV)

Avoid complacency at all costs, it will lead to destruction.

Live securely, listen to Jesus

but whoever listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster.”(Proverbs 1:33, ESV)

Whoever listens to Jesus, who is wisdom, will live securely.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on Mark 5