Great Task but Greater Resources
But who is able to build him a house, since heaven, even highest heaven, cannot contain him? So now send me a person skilled to work. (II Chronicles 2:6-7)
II Chr. 2:1-7a; I Chr. 22:7-10 and 28:2-3,19; I Chr. 29:1-5; Eccl. 9:10; Hag. 2:4; Rom. 4:21
What Is God Saying?
It started as a tabernacle, a portable tent in the wilderness. It served a great purpose for 400 years, but as Israel prospered and Jerusalem became the focal point of worship and government, it seemed right to build a temple. The Lord not only approved but gave David the plans for this first permanent temple (I Chr. 28:19). But while David planned, provided the materials, and had it in his heart to build it, he was not allowed to do so (I Chr. 22:7-10). David was a man of war and had shed much blood. Solomon was to be a man of peace, reigning in quiet and prosperous days.
Building the Temple was a huge undertaking. It required the labor of 30,000 Israelites and 150,000 Canaanites (II Chr. 2:17, 18), but even so, it took seven years to build. It was constructed without sound of hammer or any tool (I Kgs 6:7). Solomon said, "The house I am to build will be great, for our God is greater than all gods, but who is able? (2:15). You can almost see him pondering that question as he looks across the empty temple area. "Who am I to build a house for him whom the highest heaven cannot contain?" (2:6b). Still, he started to work. We can imagine him saying, "This is God's work, and he will give me the strength and the wisdom to complete the task to his glory."
How Does This Apply To Us?
We are not expected to build a great temple or do anything that the world will notice or long remember, but we have times when just earning a living, building a family, or performing a ministry calls for something more than we think we can give. We stand with Solomon and say, "Who is able?" and "Who am I?" Solomon asked that and then said, "Send me a person who is skilled to work." In other words, we must start to work. We need to be available. God is able and will make us able if we are available. One of my favorite verses in Scripture looks back to the faith of Abraham and can be applied to any task we face for God, "Abraham never doubted God's promise, but, strong in faith, gave honor to God, in the firm conviction of his power to do what he had promised" (Rom. 4:21 N.E.B.).
Pray With Me
Lord, my soul is bathed in the splendor of light as I wait before you in prayer. I sense your greatness and wonder how anything I can do will be worthy. I consider the infinite reaches of your love, the inexhaustible power of your kingdom, and your church against which even the gates of hell shall not prevail, and I say with Solomon, "Who is able to build you a house?" Your Spirit has led me into new territory today. I have seen how Solomon, when he was faced with an overwhelming task, started to work. Being filled with wonder did not make him wonder if he could do it or should even try to do it.
In your wisdom and love, we are encouraged to try. Solomon stood amazed before the task, and yet, in the same moment, he sent for a person skilled to work. He was overwhelmed, but he was not discouraged. The impossible task became the task attempted. An honest feeling of unworthiness became his shining credential. Overwhelming wonder gave way to action, not paralysis. In the same way, let my sense of wonder find expression in loving, immediate service. I cannot do it all, but let the little corner I must tend be held clean and ready. Let the solitary post that I must keep be never vacant. Let that lonely and hurting soul who looks for your love in me find your servant not so busy with big and far-off things that he cannot remember little, nearby, and needful things.
"Who is able? Send me a person." O, keep alive my sense of wonder in the presence of your glory, Lord, but let it always give my heart a reason to love and my hand a reason to move.
In the name of Him who showed by His hands how much God cares, Amen.
Moving On In The Life of Prayer
Prayer that does not fill us with wonder is likely to be ineffectual and empty. In prayer, we kneel in the presence of our great and wonderful Lord. There is no task or responsibility too great for the Lord and us to handle together. Solomon said, "Who is able?" but God gave him strength for a task that seemed more than he could handle. Let us pray that God will give us a clear plan and a strong arm. "Who is able?" Our God is able, and with Him, so are we.
