1 Kings Chapter 7: Dedication and Distinctive Life

Verse 23: 

He made the Sea of cast metal, circular in shape, measuring ten cubits from rim to rim and five cubits high. It took a line of thirty cubits to measure around it.

Verse 51: 

When all the work King Solomon had done for the temple of the Lord was finished, he brought in the things his father David had dedicated—the silver and gold and the furnishings—and he placed them in the treasuries of the Lord's temple.

◇ It took Solomon a considerable 20 years to build the temple and the royal palace. Throughout these long 20 years, Solomon remained steadfast in his reverence for God and his dedication to the task at hand.

Solomon made all the articles to be used in the temple. From the vessels for carrying fire to the tongs for picking up coals, nothing was made without utmost care. Everything, small or large, was made of gold. He also made the bronze Sea with a diameter of 4.5 meters, and ten basins. These were made for the priests and Levites to wash themselves and the offerings.

As servants of God, we must always give our utmost in even the smallest tasks. We must be consistent from beginning to end. From small tasks to larger ones, dedication and effort must follow. God sees our hearts. In addition, we must approach God with purity along with our dedication. If we have failed to be distinctive while living in the world, we must repent before God. God is holy and has called us to be holy. We cannot be perfectly holy like God. However, since he has called us to be holy, we must strive for holiness. 

God desires us to live a distinctive life.

♧ Lord, help me today to live as your child, thinking of you and acting in ways that are distinct. Also, help me to put my heart into everything I do. Holy Spirit, guide me in truth!