Wednesday in Christmas

1Verse 1. Now David summoned all the leaders of Israel to Jerusalem: the leaders of the tribes, the leaders of the divisions in the king’s service, the commanders of thousands and of hundreds, and the officials in charge of all the property and cattle of the king and his sons, along with the court officials and mighty men— every mighty man of valor. 2Verse 2. Then King David rose to his feet and said, “Listen to me, my brothers and my people. It was in my heart to build a house as a resting place for the ark of the covenant of the LORD and as a footstool for our God. I had made preparations to build it, 3Verse 3. but God said to me, ‘You are not to build a house for My Name, because you are a man of war who has shed blood.’ 4Verse 4. Yet the LORD, the God of Israel, chose me out of all my father’s house to be king over Israel forever. For He chose Judah as leader, and from the house of Judah He chose my father’s household, and from my father’s sons He was pleased to make me king over all Israel. 5Verse 5. And of all my sons— for the LORD has given me many sons— He has chosen Solomon my son to sit on the throne of the kingdom of the LORD over Israel. 6Verse 6. And He said to me, ‘Solomon your son is the one who will build My house and My courts, for I have chosen him as My son, and I will be his Father. 7Verse 7. I will establish his kingdom forever, if he resolutely carries out My commandments and ordinances, as is being done this day.’ 8Verse 8. So now in the sight of all Israel, the assembly of the LORD, and in the hearing of our God, keep and seek out all the commandments of the LORD your God, so that you may possess this good land and leave it as an inheritance to your descendants forever. 9Verse 9. As for you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve Him wholeheartedly and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands the intent of every thought. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever. 10Verse 10. Consider now that the LORD has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary. Be strong and do it.”

10Verse 10. By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one must be careful how he builds. 11Verse 11. For no one can lay a foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12Verse 12. If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw, 13Verse 13. his workmanship will be evident, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will prove the quality of each man’s work. 14Verse 14. If what he has built survives, he will receive a reward. 15Verse 15. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss. He himself will be saved, but only as if through the flames. 16Verse 16. Do you not know that you yourselves are God’s temple, and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? 17Verse 17. If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.