Wed.’s Devo - The Glory of God’s Kingdom

Read: 2 Chronicles 6:12-8:10; Romans 7:14-8:8; Psalm 18:1-15; Proverbs 19:24-25 Solomon continued in David’s footsteps. David had taught him to have a heart for the Lord. Solomon had constructed a platform in the middle of the outer court to address the people. He stood on it and prayed a prayer praising God for his greatness and his power. He reminded God of his promise to his father, David to always let one of his descendants sit on the throne of Israel if they guarded their behavior and faithfully followed his laws. He asked God to watch over this Temple and to put his name there. He asked God to be the judge of all who presented their case on earth, and to judge between the accuser and the accused. If the people sinned and then turned back to Him, Solomon asked that God would forgive them. He prayed that God would teach the people to follow the right path and to send his blessing on his people. If there was drought, famine, and the people repented, may God hear their cry. If foreigners who are not Jews, turn to God, may He hear their prayers. If the people were battling their enemies, or in exile in a strange land because of their sin, may they turn towards this Temple and pray and may God hear their cry and deliver them. When Solomon finished his prayer, fire flashed down from heaven and consumed the burnt offerings and the glorious presence of the Lord filled the Temple so thick that the priests couldn’t enter the Temple. They fell face down on the ground and worshiped and praised the Lord. They sang Psalm 118 about the mercy of the Lord that endures forever. The priests blew the trumpets while all Israel stood and 142,000 sacrifices were made. This was the first day of the Feast of Tabernacles which is a picture of the day we will all tabernacle with the Lord in the end and enter into the new millennium where Jesus will reign the earth as King of Kings. It took Solomon 20 years to finish the Temple and when he did, God came and repeated back to Solomon all he had prayed twenty years before. God had heard his prayer and when their nation turned from Him and found themselves in the midst of drought, famine, idolatry, exile or war, if they repented and turned back to him and sought him in this place, he would hear their prayers and forgive them and heal their land. Solomon used the foreigners to be his forced laborers and assigned his people to serve as soldiers, officers, commanders and charioteers. He appointed 250 of them to supervise the people. So, God helped Solomon secure his nation from his enemies and blessed him. In Romans, Paul explained the carnal nature and how it is in opposition to what God wants. The answer to the war in our hearts is given in verse 25: “Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord.” The power of the Spirit has freed us from the power of sin that leads to death. When we are controlled by the Holy Spirit we think about things that please the Spirit of the Lord. When we feed on the Word, we live by its strength. If we feed ourselves with the world, we die by its fruits. Lord, help us to hide ourselves in You and eat of your Word which is the only thing that is true and brings us life. We pray for our nation and repent for the wicked idolatry and rebellion of our nation. We pray for forgiveness and mercy. May your heal our nation and bring your Spirit to lead us and teach us your ways.