God Speaks
The Dedication of the Completed Temple of the LORD
Verse of the Day: When the priests withdrew from [setting up] the Holy Place, the cloud filled the temple of the LORD. And the priests could not perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the LORD filled His temple. Then Solomon said, “The LORD has said that He will dwell in a dark cloud; I have indeed built a magnificent temple for You, a place for You to dwell forever.” While the whole assembly of Israel was standing there, the king turned around and blessed them. (1 Kings 8:10-14 NIV 2011)
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We Respond
Reflection: Consider the following questions regarding 1 Kings 8, 2 Chronicles 5:
1. What does this chapter tell me about God?
2. What does this chapter tell me about the human beings He created?
Here is one possible answer to each of these questions. Ask the Holy Spirit if there are any others for you personally to ponder.
1 Kings 8, 2 Chronicles 5 [Since these are two reports of the same event with different emphases, they with be responded to as a unit.]
1. The LORD, God of Israel, is so great that He cannot be contained in a temple made by human beings, no matter how magnificent. From His dwelling place in Heaven, He hears their prayers and forgives people who admit their sins and turn back to following Him wholeheartedly.
2. People can call on the LORD, God of Israel, from wherever they are and whatever their circumstance or difficulty.
Prayer:
3. How might I pray regarding 1 Kings 8, 2 Chronicles 5?
Dear LORD God, Solomon’s prayer (recorded in 1 Kings 8) is so magnificent; I couldn’t offer anything even close. Please accept this summary. O LORD, God of Israel, there is no God like You in all of heaven above or on the earth below. You keep Your covenants and show unfailing love to all who walk before You in wholehearted devotion. You have kept Your promises to Your faithful servants down through the ages, fulfilling them over and over again. From Your dwelling place in Heaven, please watch over Your people wherever they are and under whatever circumstances, and when You hear, forgive. When someone wrongs another person, judge between the accused and the accuser. Punish the guilty as they deserve and acquit the innocent. When Your people are defeated because of their own sin, may they repent, turn back to You, and acknowledge You as the gracious, forgiving God that You are. Bring us back into a right relationship with You, for the sake of Your reputation. Teach us to follow the right path. Restore to us the blessings and prosperity You so graciously previously provided. Then even foreigners will see and give You glory, LORD. AMEN
Action: (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, if He wants you to work on one of the suggestions below or something else more personal that He points out.)
4. What action does the LORD want me to take in response to I Kings 8 and II Chronicles 5? With the help of God’s Holy Spirit:
- I will seek to walk before the LORD God with wholehearted devotion.
- I will guard my behavior and faithfully follow Solomon’s father David’s example.
- I will offer humble and earnest requests and ask for the LORD God to forgive my sins.
- I will pray for the LORD God to answer the prayers of others who are in distress because of being wronged or wrongly accused, because of war, drought, disease, locusts, or other creatures, or their own sin, exile, or whatever disaster.
Share: I plan to share what I’ve learned with __________.