Thursday, February 8: 2Chronicles 5- .

This chapter closes with the placing of the ark in the holy of holies. At that point we read, The trumpeters and musicians joined in unison to give praise and thanks to the LORD. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals and other instruments, the singers raised their voices in praise to the LORD and sang: “He is good; his love endures forever.”

Then the temple of the LORD was filled with the cloud, and the priests could not perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the LORD filled the temple of God (13-14).

The imagery of the cloud filling the temple reminded me of the cloud God filled as He led Israel through the desert… cloud by day and fire by night (Exodus xx).

I found myself contemplating the presence of God… here God’s presence is experienced in the cloud. In Theophanys it is through the Angel of the Lord. Moses also experienced the Lord in the still small voice (xx). Most perfectly, humankind has experienced the presence of the Lord in the person of Jesus Christ, the Word become flesh (John 1:1-14).

The presence of God has born His people through across the ages. Moses at one point refused to continue if the presence of God was not with him (Exodus bb).  So important is the presence of God.

How have I and how do I experience the presence of the Lord?

--In the stillness of my quiet time as God gives me a thought or understanding in the text.

--As I speak with Him in prayer and sense His answer or His nearness.

--In worship, particularly in those moments of community praise, when our hearts joined together seem to soar to the throne.

--In moments of hush in worship or in private when I feel enveloped by the Lord.

--When I am engaged is service and ministry for and with Him.

--When the Spirit releases a spiritual gift for ministry.

These are among the many ways I have and do experience the Lord’s presence. How about you?

Oh, Lord, praise be to You for Your presence. Thank You for allowing me to experience You and to do so in different ways… a reminder that You are beyond full understanding. Open my heart that I might seek You and long for You all the days of my life. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

 

Wednesday, February 7: 2Chronicles 4- .

The detail in this chapter was too much for me to imagine. So I spent some time looking on the Internet for images of the temple, just so I could visualize everything.

Elaborate, ornate and functional is how I might describe it. Maybe this picture will help you.

The worship of God was central to Israel and sacrifice of animals was essential to Israelite worship.

I am wondering how central worship is my life these days.

 

 

Tuesday, February 6: 2Chronicles 3- The Temple.

Opulent, extravagant, over-the-top, such was the temple Solomon built. Gold everywhere, literally. Measurements precise. Symbolism rich.  Such was the temple Solomon built.

One difference between this temple and the opulence of some of the European estate/castles, like Versailles, is that the temple was dedicated to and honoring the Lord God Almighty, not a particular king or family dynasty. It was designed to be as a place of sacrifice and performing the rituals of faith. A second difference was its size. 60 cubits by 20 cubits translates to roughly 90 feet by 30 feet. There are rooms in Versailles which are larger.

David’s design and Solomon’s execution was to honor the Lord, to extol the God who called them to be a people and protect them as a people.  I am also reminded that David put a huge amount of his personal wealth into the construction of the temple.

I am wondering how can I and do I honor the Lord in my life? I am certainly not going to build a temple or a shrine of any kind. So my measurement would be in faithfulness… a few probing questions trickle out of my thoughts:

Am I sacrificial?

Am I dedicated?

Do I give the Lord my best or leftovers?

Am I extravagant or ‘opulent’ in my honoring of the Lord?

Looking at my life would others see the greatness of the Lord as they did when they looked at the temple?

Lord, I battle mixed motives all the time. Purify my life. Burn off the chaff that my life might be of service to You. Through Jesus, I pray. Amen. 

 

Monday, February 5: 2Chronicles 2- A temple for the Lord.

Solomon, now established, commissions the building of the temple. I found myself wondering, what exactly is the temple?

It is a holy place. It will house the ark, which has been described as the footstool of the Lord (1Chronicles 28:2). Solomon answers my question in his dialogue with Hiram, king of Tyre, who will provide the lumber for the temple.

The temple I am going to build will be great, because our God is greater than all other gods. But who is able to build a temple for him, since the heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain him? Who then am I to build a temple for him, except as a place to burn sacrifices before him? (5-6).

The temple is a showcase for the Lord, a grand monument primarily for the offering of sacrifices to the Lord. As such, the temple is a place where people can connect with the Lord personally, as well as the corporate center for the worship of Yahweh. The structure itself announces the greatness of the Lord. Its grand scale and elaborate ornamentation speaks to the indescribability of the Lord Himself.

But the temple must never be confused with the Lord Himself, since the heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain the Lord, much less a human constructed building.

While considering the temple, my mind made the leap to the church and believers in Jesus, being the temple of the Lord today.

We, God’s people, are His showcases to the world. Instead of there being one temple in one location, now the temple of the Lord can be found almost anywhere in the world. Christ followers working in fields, rice patties, office buildings and open seas, serving in the military or government, golden agers and millennial are all showcases for the Lord. In us and through the way we live, people are supposed to see the grandeur of the Lord.

But let us never get a big head over this; we are not the Lord, never will be and never can be. We are merely a display through which people receive the tiniest glimpse of the grandeur and wonder of the Lord God Almighty.

I am awed and humbled by these thoughts.

Awed, that God would choose to display Himself to the world through me. Humbled because I am completely and utterly unworthy of this calling. I can’t find the correct words… I am also disappointed, saddened (?) because I am such a poor showcase. With all the mars of sin in my life I am afraid that people are seeing a poor, almost unrecognizable, representation of the Lord in my life. My eyes tear at my lack…

Oh, God, I do not know how or what to pray… make me a better showcase for Your glory. Like a fine craftsman, shave off my blemishes, fill my cracks and replace my weak and broken parts so that I might better display Your wonder. Do this Lord, not for me or my sake, but for Yours.

All glory, laud and honor be Yours, Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit. I pray through Jesus’ name. Amen.

 

Saturday, February 3: 2Chronicles 1- What would you wish for?.

What would I ask for if God appeared to me and invited me to ask for anything? If I take that question seriously, I don’t know what I would ask for.

Obviously after reading a chapter like this one, I would like to think I would be noble and selfless and, like Solomon, ask for wisdom or peace throughout the world or food for everyone or…. but….had this question come suddenly out of the blue would I be this selfless? Ugh, I just don’t know!!

When I was a youngster, I remember the hearing the story of Aladdin and I would daydream about being given three wishes by a genie in a bottle. Those wishes were far more self-focused. I would think about what wishes gave me the best benefit. Often my third imaginary wish was for 3 more wishes.

This mental exercise shows me how much of myself remains to be crucified to Christ.

On this eve of worship, Lord, prepare my heart to worship You with Your family tomorrow morning. Soften my heart to be attentive to You, listening for Your voice and following Your lead. I pray for a heart to follow after You. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

 

Friday, February 2: 1Chronicles 29- A man after God's heart.

What joy reading this chapter. First there was David. His joy as he presents all he has done to provide for the temple. Not only did he do a masterful job providing the necessary materials, but then he gave liberally from his own resources. His example coupled with his call to other leaders to step up brought in a great offering for the Lord and His temple.

Leading from the front, leading by example, David excelled in this.

Then there was his prayer, totally God focused and God exalting. As I read and prayed along with David, I felt my heart begin to soar, with joy and praise to the Lord. So many prayers I hear these days, seem so earthly, me focused. David’s is looking to the heavens and to the Lord. This prayer reveals much about his heart. David truly was a man after God’s heart. His love for the Lord and devotion to the Lord is inspiring for me. 

Oh, to be a man after God’s own heart like David… Lord, show me how I can grow to be more like David. Lead me, Lord God, into a deeper devotion with You. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

 

Thursday, February 1: 1Chronicles 28- The Handoff.

 

The best leaders understand that someday their leadership must be handed off to someone else. Every generation needs to recognize that at some point they must hand off leadership to the ensuing generation. The legacy of George Washington could have been scuttled by John Adams.

Even Jesus understood that He needed to hand the reigns of His movement to His disciples. Leadership handoffs are critical if movements are to continue.

Today we read David’s leadership handoff.

The people are established. There is order and organization. And for David’s deep desire and calling to build a temple –a place rest for the Ark of the Covenant (2) –David has provided plans and materials.

David not only provides for the ongoing work of the people of God, today he calls all the leaders and particularly his son Solomon –the next king –to continuing devotion to the Lord. David knows a people devoted only to the Lord will be blessed by the Lord.

My first thought… am I providing what the following generations need in order that they, too, might serve the Lord and complete His call of extending His name and fame to the ends of the earth?

Second, am I remaining faithful to the Lord and am I calling the following generations to faithfulness? Faithfulness is essential in building the work of God, which is the primary calling of the church today.

Am I steadfastly faithful?  Are you?

Am I helping those younger than me grow in faithfulness? Are you?

Am I giving them the tools they will need to build God’s kingdom? Are you?

These are the questions that are burrowing into me as I sit with this chapter this morning.

As I paused to pray I found myself praying the words of a song ‘Holiness’ (take my life) by Scott Underwood …

O Lord,

Faithfulness, Faithfulness is what I long for

Faithfulness is what I need

Faithfulness, Faithfulness is what You

want from me

So, take my heart and form it

Take my mind and transform it

Take my will and conform it

To Yours, to Yours, oh, Lord

 

I have printed only stanza 2. And you can listen to the entire song free on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHeEytocJVY.