It's All in the Details

1 Kings 6

1 Kings 6 is one of those chapters you might be tempted to skip over.  It’s got a lot of numbers and measurements that may not make a lot of sense, but the significance is in the details.  Solomon built a temple for the Lord “according to its specifications.” He did this because the word of the Lord came to him and said “As for this temple you are building, if you follow my decrees, observe my laws and keep all my commands and obey them, I will fulfill through you the promise I gave to David your father.  And I will live among the Israelites and will not abandon my people Israel” (v. 12-13).

Solomon did as instructed and took pride in the details.  He could have altered the plans and cut corners here and there, but he wanted to please God.  So, if God wanted twenty cubits at the rear of the temple lined with cedar boards from floor to ceiling to form an inner sanctuary (v. 16), that’s what Solomon did.

Wouldn’t it be nice if God handed us blue prints and said, “Here, do it just like this.”  Well, He does through his Word.  The Bible contains our detailed instructions and our prayers help us figure out where to start and which way to go when we’re stuck.

It can be hard to decipher the exact measurements sometimes, but God provides grace.  If we’re a little short here, he extends mercy there.  The key is to pay attention to the details.  They’re there for a reason.  God has a plan and each delicate detail, no matter how small, plays an important part in what we are meant to do.  Each “cubit” adds texture and beauty to our lives.  

So, if God’s not cutting corners, then so mustn’t we.  Pay attention to the details, because they all add up to a glorious finished product – YOU.   

The Details of Life

2 Corinthians 6

　
　
Do you have missionaries visit your church to share what God is doing through their ministry? That’s basically what Paul is sharing here. "As servants of God we commend ourselves in every way". From this point forward he shares about his hardships in ministry, not to complain, but to validate his ministry and to give God the glory. Can you imagine what it would be like to sit in the congregation and listen to him?

But here’s the thing. We find it hard to relate to Paul. We could sit and listen to him and be amazed, but we’d walk away feeling like that’s good for Paul but not for me. So let’s consider someone else’s testimony - what about Jacob?

Jacob is someone we can relate to. He has lots of character defects. In fact, his name means deception. His testimony might sound like this: "My struggles with my twin brother Esau began in the womb. When I was forty I lied to our father to steal the family blessing. Later in life, after getting married, I worked for my father-in-law and stole the strong flocks leaving him with the weak ones. Yet God has used me in his plan of redemption."

If Jacob’s story doesn’t strike a chord for you how about Peter? "I followed Jesus passionately. I knew that he was the Son of God, the Messiah, and even deserted the family fishing business to follow him. I was there for Jesus’ transfiguration. Jesus often asked for my opinion and even when he didn’t I would give it to him. I didn’t always say or do the right thing, but at least I said and did something. Then following his arrest I denied him. I was so ashamed. Thankfully, he still loved me and forgave me and wanted me to lead his sheep".

God used Jacob, Peter and Paul despite their sinfulness. He also uses you and me. He has called us to ministry, to share the love and grace of Jesus Christ with others. In doing this, Paul suffered greatly. Most likely, you haven’t had to experience anything like Paul did, but we are still called to give everything we have to the Living God.

In sports, coaches challenge their players to leave it all out on the field or court, to give 110%. Paul left it all out on the field. Verse 4 in The Message reads like this, "Our work as God’s servants gets validated -or not- in the details". It’s in the details of our life that God uses us in the lives of others. Let God validate your ministry in the details of your life?

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Corinthians%206&version=NIV;MSG
http://www.biblegateway.com/audio/mclean/niv/2Cor.6

Joshua 18:11-28

If you have been following along in the Book of Joshua, you may have been tempted to skip these chapters, or to quit altogether.  I know as first read it, is repetitive, and if I might be so bold as to say -- boring.  I have to read the chapters over a number of times to glean what value there might be in the numerous listings of the divisions of the land and the respective allotments to the Tribes.  It is a challenge to discern what purpose God has for us today in these words from so long ago.

As I was reading the assigned text for today it struck me how much God cares about the details.  What I am reading and describing as boring, God considers part of the big picture for His Chosen People.  The littlest detail does not seem to go unnoticed.  God has taken the guess work out of how the land is to be apportioned. He knows what tomorrow will bring and He is preparing His people.

That is how it is today also.  I know God cares about the details of our lives and our faith journey, I have experienced His watchfulness.  He encourages us to talk to Him daily, to bring our cares and prayers before His throne without fail.  He wants us to share our pain and He wants us to turn to Him for answers.  Let God reveal the details, you will be blessed.

Read Joshua 18:11-28 here

Listen to Joshua 18:11-28 here