1 Kings 8

In verse 20 is Solomon indicating a weak relationship with God, or is it humility when he says, "I have filled the position of my father David"?  He spoke the truth, of course. He was serving the Lord by doing what had been in his father's heart.  This was what God desired. So Solomon was first required to have an eager heart in fulfilling someone else's plan.  That requires a humility not often seen today.  We are often about making a name for ourselves and cannot stoop to make a name for someone else.  Yet that is the nature of submission.  In submission our goal is to make someone else "look good" or prosper.

Nevertheless, given Solomon's spiritual struggles later in his life, we still wonder about the strength of his own faith.  He fulfilled his father's vision, but he cannot live on his father's faith.  Did he have his own faith and trust in God?  Solomon's dedicatory prayer in the verses that follow give evidence of that faith.

In verses 23-26 he prays that God would keep the promise that he made to his father David.  The promise has to do with a son on David's throne and at this time Solomon is that son through whom the greater Son will someday come and rule.

In verses 27-30 we see the depth of Solomon's trust in God.  He knows God cannot be confined to this building that he is built.  For that very reason He is the God that Solomon calls on to bless His people with they turn to him.

We must have personal faith in God.  But let us not confuse personal faith with originality.  For most of us our faith is being expressed in the context of making someone else successful, whether in the workplace, the home, or society in general.  But as we do let us trust God to joyfully do it well and to do it for his glory.