Not Too Hasty

It has been thought that I shop more like a guy than a girl! Go in, get what you need, head home.

1 Kings 8.1-21

Reference:  v.1 Then King Solomon summoned into his presence at Jerusalem the elders of Israel, all the heads of the tribes and the chiefs of the Israelite families, to bring up the ark of the Lord's covenant from Zion, the City of David. (NIV Bible)

Explore:  I'm a terrible shopper at the best of times.  It has been thought that I shop more like a guy than a girl!  I don't like window shopping and I struggle with dawdling.  I'm all about efficiency.  Go in, get what you need, head home.  I wouldn't say I lead a fast-paced life but I like to get a job done properly and promptly.  I often need to be reminded to 'stop and smell the roses' along the way!
In this passage Solomon is finally bringing the Ark of the Covenant into his newly built temple.  The Ark was probably the main impetus in building such a magnificent building.  This was to be it's home and yet while the temple was being built it was located in Zion.  It had now taken years to build the temple and yet Solomon waited until the temple's completion before bringing the Ark to it's resting place.

Application:  Solomon was patient in waiting until the completion of the temple before retrieving the Ark of the Covenant.  So often today we put the Ark before the completion of the temple.  Let me explain: we expect God to move before we are ready.  When we want a decision made or something confirmed we don't allow any preparation time before we want the result.  Our patience comes to an end and we desire instant movement from God.  But God does not work like that.  He knows us better than we know ourselves.  It is a struggle but we need to be patient, continue to work our side of the temple knowing that God does keep His promises and He will move when its time.

Prayer:  Lord, I get so frustrated when I have to wait.  And yet I know that the waiting time is important preparation time.  Forgive me when I push forward for my own benefit and don't wait for you to move.  Amen.

How well do you deal with waiting on the Lord?

1 Kings