The Temple in Which God Reigns....

I’ve always wondered why things happen. Why good people suffer? Why bad people seem to prosper? Why haters of God are allowed to live and continue to curse Him and go unpunished? Then I read 2 Chronicles chapter 7. It doesn’t fully explain the “why”, but it does tell us how believers are to respond to these events when they occur. We are to call upon God during these times. We are to turn from our wicked ways (probably the reason for the calamity). When we repent and become believers in Christ Jesus, our hearts become the Temple in which God reigns, and it is our hearts that are dear to His own heart. This is where we go to Meet with God, His Temple, too pray, interact with, and worship. If we continue to live a life void of His presence, it will only be because of our own rejection of Him. When people see our demise, those closest to Him will know the reason. It will be because of our abandonment of the Lord, in favor of other gods. Idolatry is the #1 sin in America. It can all be avoided by walking daily with the Lord. And it can be forgiven and made right through repentance. The problem is some refuse to go there, then wonder why things happen. So the next time you wonder why things are happening, instead of trying to figure out the answer, go to God in prayer, humble yourself, and if any sin is being practiced in your life, turn from it. Then the answer will come in the form of “opening my eyes, and focusing them back on the Lord”.

11 So Solomon finished the Temple of the Lord, as well as the royal palace. He completed everything he had planned to do in the construction of the Temple and the palace. 12 Then one night the Lord appeared to Solomon and said, “I have heard your prayer and have chosen this Temple as the place for making sacrifices. 13 At times I might shut up the heavens so that no rain falls, or command grasshoppers to devour your crops, or send plagues among you. 14 Then if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land. 15 My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to every prayer made in this place. 16 For I have chosen this Temple and set it apart to be holy–a place where My name will be honored forever. I will always watch over it, for it is dear to My heart.17 “As for you, if you faithfully follow Me as David your father did, obeying all My commands, decrees, and regulations, 18 then I will establish the throne of your dynasty. For I made this covenant with your father, David, when I said, ‘One of your descendants will always rule over Israel.’19 “But if you or your descendants abandon Me and disobey the decrees and commands I have given you, and if you serve and worship other gods, 20 then I will uproot the people from this land that I have given them. I will reject this Temple that I have made holy to honor My name. I will make it an object of mockery and ridicule among the nations. 21 And though this Temple is impressive now, all who pass by will be appalled. They will ask, ‘Why did the Lord do such terrible things to this land and to this Temple?’22 “And the answer will be, ‘Because His people abandoned the Lord, the God of their ancestors, who brought them out of Egypt, and they worshiped other gods instead and bowed down to them. That is why He has brought all these disasters on them.’ ” 2 Chronicles 7:11-22

Pray Not For Less Fear, But More Love....

The thing that confuses most modern day believers is how to handle opposition. Here is a clear example of how we are to confront those diabolically opposed to the Gospel. Call them out. Tell the truth. Do it with gentleness and respect, through the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Why? Because if you don’t, their agenda will prevail and prevent others from believing. Pray not for less fear, but more love. This will help you be bold and overcome your fears. It will help you save more souls.

6 Afterward they traveled from town to town across the entire island until finally they reached Paphos, where they met a Jewish sorcerer, a false prophet named Bar-Jesus. 7 He had attached himself to the governor, Sergius Paulus, who was an intelligent man. The governor invited Barnabas and Saul to visit him, for he wanted to hear the word of God. 8 But Elymas, the sorcerer (as his name means in Greek), interfered and urged the governor to pay no attention to what Barnabas and Saul said. He was trying to keep the governor from believing.9 Saul, also known as Paul, was filled with the Holy Spirit, and he looked the sorcerer in the eye. 10 Then he said, “You son of the devil, full of every sort of deceit and fraud, and enemy of all that is good! Will you never stop perverting the true ways of the Lord? 11 Watch now, for the Lord has laid His hand of punishment upon you, and you will be struck blind. You will not see the sunlight for some time.” Instantly mist and darkness came over the man’s eyes, and he began groping around begging for someone to take his hand and lead him.12 When the governor saw what had happened, he became a believer, for he was astonished at the teaching about the Lord. Acts 13:6-12

Above the Law....

When Solomon prayed in the Temple when the ark was moved and the Lord’s presence filled the place, his prayer revealed the core of our relationship with God. It’s all about having a heart right with Him. When we sin and repent, God forgives. Knowing this frees us from the dominion of sin. It doesn’t give us license, rather freedom to live out the commands of God. Not the 10 Commandments, but those above the law; to love, to serve, to bless, to do what Jesus did. For these things have no law. Today, we have a choice: to live under the law, or to live above it. Knowing this, choose wisely.

14 He prayed, “O Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like You in all of heaven and earth. You keep Your covenant and show unfailing love to all who walk before You in wholehearted devotion. 15 You have kept Your promise to Your servant David, my father. You made that promise with Your own mouth, and with Your own hands You have fulfilled it today.16 “And now, O Lord, God of Israel, carry out the additional promise You made to Your servant David, my father. For You said to him, ‘If your descendants guard their behavior and faithfully follow My Law as you have done, one of them will always sit on the throne of Israel.’ 17 Now, O Lord, God of Israel, fulfill this promise to Your servant David.18 “But will God really live on earth among people? Why, even the highest heavens cannot contain You. How much less this Temple I have built! 19 Nevertheless, listen to my prayer and my plea, O Lord my God. Hear the cry and the prayer that Your servant is making to You. 20 May You watch over this Temple day and night, this place where You have said You would put Your name. May You always hear the prayers I make toward this place. 21 May You hear the humble and earnest requests from me and Your people Israel when we pray toward this place. Yes, hear us from heaven where You live, and when You hear, forgive. 2 Chronicles 6:14-21

30 then hear from heaven where You live, and forgive. Give Your people what their actions deserve, for You alone know each human heart. 31 Then they will fear You and walk in Your ways as long as they live in the land You gave to our ancestors. 2 Chronicles 6:30-31

38 If they turn to You with their whole heart and soul in the land of their captivity and pray toward the land You gave to their ancestors–toward this city You have chosen, and toward this Temple I have built to honor Your name–39 then hear their prayers and their petitions from heaven where You live, and uphold their cause. Forgive Your people who have sinned against You. 2 Chronicles 6:38-39

Transforming My Attitude, Changes My Perspective....

God loves to be praised. Yet I find myself doing it less and less. Why is that? My thinking is because I’m too focused on myself. I don’t make the time to sit and be still throughout the day. If I would just stop, stop my thinking, and get the focus off “me”, it would free up my biased sight to reveal all that God has done, continues to do, and will do in my life. It’s almost if I were flying a drone. The second it takes off the view is of me (I fill the frame), as it flies higher I get smaller and smaller and the view expands to include more and more. Eventually I’m a dot in the view of many miles of territory in which God has made. This “big picture” is exactly what we need to see everyday in order to keep the proper perspective in life. God is the only “WAY” we can stay/remain/become humble. When we praise Him, His presence is felt. When Solomon was moving the ARK to the finished Temple, they were praising God with music and song. They praised Him, and His presence filled the Temple. Their praise was rewarded with His presence. Isn’t that the greatest blessing here on earth? His nearness to us is our good. Praise Him today. It’ll transform your attitude by changing your perspective.

13 The trumpeters and singers performed together in unison to praise and give thanks to the Lord. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals, and other instruments, they raised their voices and praised the Lord with these words: “He is good!His faithful love endures forever!” At that moment a thick cloud filled the Temple of the Lord. 14 The priests could not continue their service because of the cloud, for the glorious presence of the Lord filled the Temple of God. 2 Chronicles 5:13-14

Praise, Pride, and Arrogance....

I don’t want to sound pious, or religiously superior, so please don’t take this the wrong way. When will people get it? When will they understand that pride and arrogance don’t help people. When a man exalts Himself, He will eventually be humbled. It only because of God’s patience and grace that a man is not wiped off the face of the earth we he accepts undue praise from people. I’ve always told myself, “humble yourself, so others won’t have to”. God will not share His glory with anyone. I agree whole-heartedly. Do you?

20 Now Herod was very angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon. So they sent a delegation to make peace with him because their cities were dependent upon Herod’s country for food. The delegates won the support of Blastus, Herod’s personal assistant, 21 and an appointment with Herod was granted. When the day arrived, Herod put on his royal robes, sat on his throne, and made a speech to them. 22 The people gave him a great ovation, shouting, “It’s the voice of a god, not of a man!”23 Instantly, an angel of the Lord struck Herod with a sickness, because he accepted the people’s worship instead of giving the glory to God. So he was consumed with worms and died. Acts 12:20-23

True Blessings....

People often mistake blessings as accumulating money, success, fame, and power. What these people miss is true blessings are those that bring us closer to God. The above mentioned things only separate us from God, because they take our focus off Him, and place it on ourselves. Having sight and hearing that is able to discern truth in a world of lies is the real blessing. We need to ask God for spiritual sight, and the ability to truly listen. Then we can decipher truth from falsehood. And no amount of money, fame, or power can earn that.

12 Ears to hear and eyes to see–both are gifts from the Lord. Proverbs 20:12

What Does God Mean to You?

As I continue to read about Solomon building the temple, I can’t help but think of the value put into its construction. David refused to give to God anything that cost him nothing. His son, Solomon used 23 tons of gold just for the inside of the temple. These are examples of how much God meant to them. This begs the question, what does God mean to me? Do I give Him my best in all I do? Do I give my resources to help further His Kingdom? Yes, David and Solomon gave out of their abundance, but do I give out of my lack of abundance (like the poor widow giving all she had)? I’m a little depressed now when I answer these questions. I have a long way to go. My treasure isn’t fully aligned with my heart. Is yours?

8 He made the Most Holy Place 30  feet wide, corresponding to the width of the Temple, and 30  feet deep. He overlaid its interior with 23  tons of fine gold. 9 The gold nails that were used weighed 20  ounces each. He also overlaid the walls of the upper rooms with gold. 2 Chronicles 3:8-9