March 14

And the LORD said to him: “I have heard your prayer and petition before Me. I have consecrated this temple you have built by putting My Name there forever; My eyes and My heart will be there for all time. — 1 Kgs 9:3 BSB

No privilege in this world is greater than having God accept and use something of ours.

Someone writes a hymn like “The Lord is My Shepherd” or “Rock of Ages,” and God accepts it. Thousands sing it and are lifted closer to God by it. Or someone writes a book, and Christ uses it to carry blessings to many people—bringing comfort in sorrow, strength in weakness, and light in darkness.

Instead of making us proud, being used by God should make us more humble. It should cause us to walk more carefully, knowing that God is using us. His seal is upon us.

When God told Solomon that He had heard his prayer and accepted the Temple he had built, He was saying that Solomon’s life was now under new obligations. The acceptance of Solomon’s work made his life sacred forever.