(11) В¶ And the word of the LORD came to Solomon, saying, (12) Concerning this house which thou art in building, if thou wilt walk in my statutes, and execute my judgments, and keep all my commandments to walk in them; then will I perform my word with thee, which I spake unto David thy father: (13) And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will not forsake my people Israel.
This message from the Lord forms a most interesting parenthesis in the midst of the work. The Lord was pleased to let Solomon know that his eye was upon him in what he was engaged; and his arm should support and direct him through it. Busy as the king was from day to day, and in the Lord's work; still he must find time to attend to the Lord himself. Personal communion with Jesus must never be lessened or interrupted by the most busy life. In ministers especially, the more the public duties of the sanctuary call them forth, the more need have they to be frequent in private waiting upon Jesus. That man can have but little real regard, whatever outward zeal he may seem to show, for the souls of others, who hath no sense of the worth of his own. Jesus took from the silence of the night to make up the want of leisure in the day. Dear Lord! how precious is thy example. Matthew 14:23.