“And the temple, when it was being built, was built with stone finished at the quarry so that no hammer or chisel or any iron tool was heard in the temple while it was being built.” ~ I kings 6:7
Reference:
In the 6th century, Solomon’s Temple was called one of the seven wonders of the ancient world (Wikipedia). Its magnificence was such that people came from all over the world to see it. It was the pride of Israel, and it housed the Ark of Covenant, which signified the presence of God. Solomon used the best building materials to build the temple; wood, stone, and precious stones. Solomon would only use materials proven to be the best to build God’s temple.
The stones used in constructing the temple were chiseled into shape outside the temple site – at the quarry. There was no sound of the hammer, chisel, or any metal tool heard at the temple. A quarry is where stones are excavated and found in their raw state. Stones cannot be used in their raw state because they will not fit in the building, hence, sabotaging the builder’s intent. All that happens to the stone in the quarry is to prepare it for where it is needed.
The Bible tells of people who were in the quarry of life, unaware that what they were going through was to prepare them for God’s purpose for their lives. David was his father’s youngest son, sent to care for his sheep. As a shepherd, he did not have the luxury of always being home with the rest of the family. The sheep were his responsibility, and David had to lead, feed, protect, and care for them. David wrote some of the Psalms while he was a shepherd.
David was not ready for the throne when Samuel anointed him; God prepared him in the quarry of shepherding. God took him from caring for sheep to caring for his people. David was fearless in confronting Goliath; he had built his relationship with God in the wilderness. David used the sling & stones to bring Goliath down. He offered to put his life in danger to fight for the Israelites because he had put himself on the line countless times for his sheep.
David’s qualities for the kingship were forged in the ‘quarry.’ He was the easy choice when God sought a ‘stone’ to serve as King. Do not fight your time in the quarry; it is your preparation time. God is preparing you now for what He wants to commit to you. In the season of earning 50,000, God is teaching you how to manage money: tithing, savings, generosity, and investment, so that when openings for 300,000 come, you will succeed. Enjoy the quarry; it is your qualification for the throne.
PHOTO QUOTE
ADDITIONAL STUDY:
II Samuel 7: 8-13, Psalm 78:70-72, II Peter 2:4-7
PRAYERS:
+ Father, I receive the grace to stay in Your quarry of shaping, preparation, and qualification for my throne and breakthrough.
+ I repent for complaining about the trying seasons of my life. Instead, I thank You for the coming glorious seasons of my life, in Jesus’ name.
