Sat.’s Devo - God’s Presence Brings Joy

Read: 1 Kings 8:1-66; Acts 7:51-8:13; Psalm 129:1-8; Provers 17:1 On the Festival of Shelters, the seventh feast which occurred in the fall, Solomon chose to bring the Ark of the Covenant from the city of David to the Temple. They placed it in the Holy of Holies. They also placed all the other furniture from the Tabernacle into the Temple. The people offered so many sacrifices they couldn’t count them. When the priests brought in the Ark and placed it in its room, a cloud filled the Temple which was so dense the priests could not continue because God’s presence was so strong. Solomon stood before the people and explained why he built this Temple. It had been his father’s desire to build God a Temple on the earth even though God could not be contained in a building. He asked God to remember his promise to David to always have one of David’s descendants to sit on the throne of Israel if they were faithful to him. Solomon prayed that this place would be the place where justice was done. The innocent would be proven innocent and the guilty would be punished. If the people found themselves being defeated by their enemies because they had sinned against him, they could turn their face toward the Temple and pray for forgiveness and be forgiven. If there was no rain or there was a famine, or a pandemic, or an attack of locusts because of their sins, they could turn and pray toward this Temple and repent. Solomon asked that God would hear their prayers and give them what their actions deserved. If they were in captivity and turned to the Lord with their whole heart and soul and prayed toward this land, then Solomon prayed that God would hear their prayers and uphold their cause. He prayed that God would forgive them and cause their captors to be merciful to them. Solomon prayed that the people would be punished with mercy for their sins so they would not forget what they had done and they would not want to do it again. If there is no consequence then there is no lesson learned. The celebration lasted for 14 days and there were so many offerings to the Lord, that Solomon had to consecrate the courtyard to be used for sacrifices to get it all done. When the festival was over, the people went home with joy and gladness because of the goodness of the Lord. The Feast of Tabernacles was a rehearsal for God’s return to the earth when he sets up his kingdom on earth. It will be a time of great offerings, joy and celebration. In Acts, Stephen completes his message to his accusers, the religious hierarchy. He ends up calling them stubbier and heathen at heart. He reminded them that they persecuted every messenger of God, even the ones who predicted the coming Messiah. This infuriated the leaders and they shook their fists at hi in rage. But the Holy Spirit rested on Stephen and he saw the glory of God and Jesus standing beside him. He told them what he saw and they put their hands over their ears then seized him and dragged him out of the city and stoned him. The stoners laid their coats at the feet of Saul who watched with approval. Stephen died praying for his accusers and begging for God to forgive them. Persecution was unloosed on the believers and they scattered all over the world taking the good news of the gospel with them. Philip went to Samaria and told them about Jesus. Through his hands, people were delivered from demons, people were healed and people came to salvation. Great joy came to the city of Samaria. There was a sorcerer named Simon who had been admired and sought after but he did his miracles through magic. Now, a power greater than magic had come to town. Simon believed and was baptized. He followed Philip and was amazed at the miracles he did. Lord, we turn to you with all our hearts praying for our nation and the nations of the world. thank you for filling our hearts with joy in the midst of persecution and turmoil. You are the one who brings salvation and deliverance and we trust in you to bring it now.