We continue the chronicles of the history of the people of Israel.

2 Chronicles 1 opens with Solomon worshiping at the tent of meeting. He offers 1000 sacrifices to God. This certainly seems excessive. The term 1000 is often used to indicate simply a large number. Whether Solomon really offered 1000 sacrifices or not is irrelevant, what is important is that he was exceedingly grateful to God. That night God appears to Solomon and asks him what he wants. Solomon asks for wisdom and knowledge in his dealings with the people. Solomon could have asked for anything and yet he desired to be a good ruler over God’s people. God grants him his request but also gives him riches and wealth. The rest of the chapter describes some of that wealth.

In 2 Chronicles 2 Solomon decides to build a temple for God and a palace for himself. He asks King Huram of Tyre for supplies and workers to add to those from Judah and Israel. Solomon takes a census of the aliens who live in the land of Israel and makes them laborers.

Solomon knows the task of building the temple is an awesome responsibility. He says “But who is able to build him a house, since heaven, even highest heaven, cannot contain him? Who am I to build a house for him, except as a place to make offerings before him?” He knows that he is not worthy of the task. We are often called by God to do more than we are qualified or feel capable of doing. We know that we are not worthy of God’s trust in us. All we can do, as Solomon did, is make our task an offering to the Lord. He will bless it.

In Galatians 4 Paul addresses that fact that even though the Galatians have been freed from the law by God through Christ they are resorting to their old ways as though they are still in slavery to the law. We are no longer slaves but have been made children of God. We call him “Abba!” which actually means “Daddy.” We are God’s heirs and no longer enslaved by the law. He encourages them to drive out the slave and live in freedom.

We have been freed by Christ. Even so, we often fall back into our old lives, as though we are still slaves to that behavior. But the reality is that we are free. We no longer have to feel that we are helpless. We can change. We can be victorious over those temptations that lead us away from God. God is always with us. Lean on Him and he will lead you on the right path.