Tues.’s Devo - Power Over Sin

Read: 2 Chronicles 6:12-8:10; Romans 7:14-8:8; Psalm 18:1-15; Proverbs 19:24-25 Solomon had had a platform made in front of the altar where he stood and addressed the people. He bowed down and prayed, lifting his hands to heaven. He reminded God of his promise that if he and his descendants were faithful to follow God’s laws and do good then they would always sit on the throne. He acknowledged that God was everywhere and would not be contained to earth or a building. *** Solomon prayed that God would judge from this altar, forgive the repentant, help the sinners find the right path, bring rain, heal the land of famine, and answer the prayers of the humble. He prayed that even foreigners who prayed toward this Temple would be heard and God would answer their prayers. And, even if God’s people were taken captive, they would be able to pray toward this Temple and be heard. *** Then, Solomon invited God into the Temple and fire flashed from heaven and burned up the sacrifices on the altar. God’s glorious presence filled the Temple. The people fell on their face in reverence. The people offered thousands of sacrifices while the priests sang, “His faithful love endures forever.” *** They celebrated the Feast of Tabernacles for seven days and the people went home on the eighth day. *** After Solomon finished the building of the Temple and his palace, God appeared to him again and told Solomon that if they found the curses coming on their nation because of sin, the people could repent and turn from their sin and humble themselves and they would be restored. He would bless Solomon’s descendants as long as they obeyed him and worshipped him as their only God. If they didn’t, God would reject them and this Temple. *** It took Solomon 20 years to build the Temple. He only used foreigners for his laborers and to fortify many towns. *** In Romans, Paul describes the battle within a person in his fight against his old sinful nature. The answer is Jesus. On the cross, he satisfied the requirement of the law. We are no longer a slave to follow our sinful nature, but we are now free to follow the Spirit. We can let our Spirit control our minds and have peace and life. *** Lord, thank you for your Spirit. Thank you that you hear our prayers and draw near. Thank you that we can walk in peace and life.