PRAISE BE TO THE LORD TODAY

Can I pray for you in any way? Send any prayer requests to faithhopegodlove@aol.com In Christ, Mark

The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.

When Hiram king of Tyre heard that Solomon had been anointed king to succeed his father David, he sent his envoys to Solomon, because he had always been on friendly terms with David.

Solomon sent back this message to Hiram:

"You know that because of the wars waged against my father David from all sides, he could not build a temple for the Name of the Lord his God until the Lord put his enemies under his feet. But now the Lord my God has given me rest on every side, and there is no adversary or disaster. I intend, therefore, to build a temple for the Name of the Lord my God, as the Lord told my father David, when he said, 'Your son whom I will put on the throne in your place will build the temple for my Name.'

"So give orders that cedars of Lebanon be cut for me. My men will work with yours, and I will pay you for your men whatever wages you set. You know that we have no one so skilled in felling timber as the Sidonians."

When Hiram heard Solomon's message, he was greatly pleased and said, "Praise be to the Lord today, for he has given David a wise son to rule over this great nation."

So Hiram sent word to Solomon:

"I have received the message you sent me and will do all you want in providing the cedar and pine logs. My men will haul them down from Lebanon to the sea, and I will float them in rafts by sea to the place you specify. There I will separate them and you can take them away. And you are to grant my wish by providing food for my royal household."

In this way Hiram kept Solomon supplied with all the cedar and pine logs he wanted, and Solomon gave Hiram twenty thousand cors of wheat as food for his household, in addition to twenty thousand baths, of pressed olive oil. Solomon continued to do this for Hiram year after year. The Lord gave Solomon wisdom, just as he had promised him. There were peaceful relations between Hiram and Solomon, and the two of them made a treaty.

1 Kings 5:1-12

This ends this reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.

In Chapter 4, we studied how God had made good on His promise to Solomon to grant him wisdom, riches and honor, elevating him above all other kings.

As Chapter 5 opens, another blessing from God to Solomon is revealed…the blessing of peace. We know this from Solomon’s own words as he sent a message to “Hiram king of Tyre” who had sent envoys to Solomon because “he had always been on friendly terms with David”. Solomon said:

“You know that because of the wars waged against my father David from all sides, he could not build a temple for the Name of the Lord his God until the Lord put his enemies under his feet. But now the Lord my God has given me rest on every side, and there is no adversary or disaster. I intend, therefore, to build a temple for the Name of the Lord my God, as the Lord told my father David, when he said, 'Your son whom I will put on the throne in your place will build the temple for my Name.' “

Indeed, peace had come on Solomon and his kingdom who experienced “rest on every side”. And so in this time of solitude…a time when there were no adversary or disaster…a time when God’s desire for Solomon to build the temple could be fulfilled.

And so Solomon gave Hiram the following direction:

"…give orders that cedars of Lebanon be cut for me. My men will work with yours, and I will pay you for your men whatever wages you set. You know that we have no one so skilled in felling timber as the Sidonians."

As Solomon’s message got to Hiram, we read where it was well received. For Hiram was “greatly pleased” and exclaimed, “Praise be to the Lord today, for he has given David a wise son to rule over this great nation."

So Hiram sent the following word back to Solomon, sealing their deal:

"I have received the message you sent me and will do all you want in providing the cedar and pine logs. My men will haul them down from Lebanon to the sea, and I will float them in rafts by sea to the place you specify. There I will separate them and you can take them away. And you are to grant my wish by providing food for my royal household."

And this is what happened. Hiram kept his end of the bargain, keeping “Solomon supplied with all the cedar and pine logs he wanted. Solomon “gave Hiram twenty thousand cors of wheat as food for his household, in addition to twenty thousand baths, of pressed olive oil”. And as Solomon “continued to do this for Hiram year after year, “peaceful relations” existed “between Hiram and Solomon” as the “two of them made a treaty”. All mostly because the Lord had given “Solomon wisdom just as he had promised him”.

Indeed, these were good times for Israel…times for praise because of all that God was doing.

And friends, we have just as much reason to praise today as they had over 2,000 years ago. For no matter what we might be going through…no matter how difficult circumstances might get…we know that God is working things out for our good. We only need trust Him, believe in Him, have faith in Him and seek His will.

For when we do these things, we can gain wisdom just as Solomon did…wisdom to help us manage good and bad times…wisdom to find solutions to complex issues…wisdom that ever tells us to turn to God and God alone for help, not our own strength and understanding.

Question: Have you taken time to focus on all the ways God has blessed you?

If you do, then I believe that you will echo the words of King Hiram as he exclaimed, “Praise be to the Lord today” and we can add the following word from David in 1 Chronicles 16:34…”for His love endures forever.”

Yes…thanks be to God from whom all blessings flow. Amen.

In Christ,

Mark

PS: Please share this with anyone you feel might be blessed by it.

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