Now That Circumstances Have Changed

1 Kings 5:3-5
(3) “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. (4) But now the LORD my God has given me rest on every side, and there is no adversary or disaster. (5) 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.’

When Solomon became king, he started his leadership by first taking care of the project his father David left him to complete. He took up the assignment to build a temple for God. The assignment was so great and he needed some help from Hiram king of Tyre.

Solomon writes a letter to Hiram requesting for help with the required timber for Temple construction. Our Bible reading today is the preamble to that request for help. He tells Hiram that his father David wanted to build the temple but he faced war from all sides. David was ever fighting against Philistines and others and even against rebellion within the home like that of Absalom. David couldn’t build the temple because he faced war from all sides!

David couldn’t build the temple until God defeated his enemies. David was in a situation where he couldn’t build the temple even if he wanted. God comforted David by assuring him that his son Solomon will build the temple. God clearly knew that David’s circumstances could not allow him to build a temple. God is more understanding than we imagine Him to be. God deferred the dream that David had to rebuild the temple. The dream was not denied, it was deferred.

Solomon tells Hiram that circumstances have changed. His father David faced war from all sides, but now Solomon has rest on every side. Circumstances have changed. No enemy and no disaster. Now that circumstances have changed, Solomon says he can now build the temple that couldn’t be built under the previous circumstances. Now that circumstances have changed!

Now that circumstances have changed can you keep your promise? Now that circumstances have changed can you go and apologize? Now that circumstances have changed can you join the church and get baptized? Now that circumstances have changed can you do better than you did last time? Now that circumstances have changed!

Our circumstances keep changing. One moment we are needy and desperate, the next moment we have money and contentment. During your needy and desperate days many dreams even to serve God were deferred, but now that the circumstances have changed, will you like Solomon do the honorable thing and serve God?

You were in school now you are employed. You lived with someone who never gave you freedom, now you stay alone. You had bills to pay, now the bills are gone and you have that money available for something else. You had children in school, and now all of them are employed and gone. You were building now the building is over. You had loans but now you have repaid all of them. The business was starting now it is established. You were just employed but now you are permanent and pensionable. You were single and searching but now you are settled and married. Now that the circumstances have changed….

You used to wish and say that when you grow up you will do things differently, but now you have grown up. You used to complain about elders and leaders, they are now old and gone and you are the leader. You used to comment on how you could do things better if you had a chance, but now you have the chance. Now that the circumstances have changed….

Dear God, help us to do the right thing promptly when by your grace our circumstances change for the better, in Jesus’ name, Amen!

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