Devotionals for the Heart: What Happens When God Builds The House

God’s Master Building Plan
A devotional by Karen Marstaller

“By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.”—Proverbs 24:3-4 (ESV)

The joy and excitement of building culminates when the structure is completed, the furnishings are placed strategically, and people begin to fill and use the building. People are what make a place useful. No matter if it’s a towering monument, a vast library or a cozy bungalow, people define and establish its architectural purpose.

Wise architects, plumbers, electricians, and contractors work together to provide a suitable building, each one bringing his or her own expertise to the job. When completed, the well-built structure may last for hundreds, maybe even thousands of years.

In the same way, God gives us a blueprint for our lives. It’s found in His Word (The Holy Bible). One of His gems of wisdom is found in the book of Proverbs, which is a collection of wise sayings put together by King Solomon. Chapter 24 describes a house that is built with wisdom and understanding and is filled with all sorts of riches.

We read in 2 Corinthians 5:1 that we live in tents (houses) that are not built by human hands. The Apostle Paul was writing to the young church in Corinth, when he spoke about our body as our human house. Our tent, our humanity, is a building from God. But there’s more. This tent of ours, although it will die here on earth, is eternal. For those of us who have accepted Jesus as our Savior, that means that we have a permanent home in Heaven.

While we’re still living in our earthly tents, we want to know how to stay strong and useful. We want to be used by God in His Kingdom’s work.

Proverbs 24:3 reminds us that wisdom builds the house (tent) and understanding establishes it. Because this building of ours needs wisdom and understanding, we turn to God’s Word again. Psalm 111:10 (ESV) tells us that “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!”

The “fear” the psalmist writes about is not the cringing terror of a stray dog that has been beaten and abused. True fear of the Lord is unmeasured joy. If we revere God (fear Him) we place Him on His rightful throne in our hearts. We adore and praise Him for His excellence. We acknowledge Him as King of kings and Lord of lords because that is Who He is! And because He is all we need, we live in peace and contentment when we ask Him to be Lord of our life.

As we gain His wisdom from our right relationship with God, we also need understanding. God is and always will be God. I must come to grips that I am not God, nor will I ever be. He alone is God. If I can’t accept my humble place in the Lord’s Kingdom, I will never gain understanding, and my earthly tent will forever conflict with His plan for me.

Proverbs 24:4 (ESV) goes on to say, “by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.”

If we truly desire “precious and pleasant riches” in this house of ours, our quest will be met graciously and abundantly by the Lord. If we ask Him for help, He will send the Holy Spirit, our ever-present gift giver. He will fill us with the fruit of the Spirit we read about in Galatians 5:22-23. He will help us to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18 ESV). He will convict us of our sin (John 16:8) and that includes our unbelief and all the many ways that we wrong each other.

Without God, we are nothing. With God, we walk in His wisdom, His understanding, and His knowledge. His presence is always with us, filling our houses with His Holy Spirit.

Glory to God!

Let’s Pray: Dear Heavenly Father, we come to You to praise You for Your strength and to acknowledge our weaknesses. Please fill these earthly tents with the Light of Your Presence and help us to open the doors of our hearts to follow Your plans for us. We ask all these things in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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Note from Alexis: Karen’s devotional message today reminds me of the song “The House That Love Built” by Babbie Mason. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Karen Marstaller is a retired high school teacher who spent most of her career challenging creative students to write. Her heart is for her readers.

She writes to encourage them, to make them laugh, to show them that life is a beautiful journey, and regardless of their past, to show them that there is joy ahead if they will just keep looking.

Karen and her husband live in central Texas in a sweet little home that they completely remodeled. They enjoy spending time with their family, which includes seven precious grandchildren.

Most of all, Karen writes in obedience to the command to love your neighbor, to offer a cup of water to those who are dying of thirst, and to comfort others with the comfort she has received.

You can reach Karen by emailing her at this address: klmarstaller@gmail.com