1 Kings 8:14-22 is another record of Solomon’s words at the dedication.
Solomon finished the temple as his father David had instructed (10). Building the temple took seven years. Add to that the many years that David prepared. Building the temple was a continual drain on Solomon and all Israel. People were forced to work many hours, days, months, years, and decades. The financial cost was a stack of coins that fell hard on the people. A whole generation broke their backs and wallets; unrecognized solemn dedication.
The temple was finally finished. How great it feels to complete a hard, detailed, and complex project. How much more satisfying it is to know that the Lord God blessed the work!
When Jesus looked at the people of Israel and Judah he saw that they were sheep without a shepherd. He declared, “The harvest is plentiful. But the workers are few.” (Matt. 9:37, Luke 10:2) Jesus with these words honors his workers who are few in number in crowds of people who do not recognize them.
I think of all the people before me who silently toiled in the fields of people for the Name of Jesus; those who cared for children, adolescents, tweens, couples, elderly. They helped the poor and wealthy; intelligent and educated as well as the mentally unstable; healthy, sick, and terminally ill; they petitioned the Lord on their knees in their tears; they worked endless hours writing and creating art to magnify his name. Few saw their beautiful love, most were unrecognized and not appreciated. I appreciate you. Jesus appreciates you.
