May 28, 2006 - II Chronicles 4-6 and John 10:24-42
As we read about Solomon finishing the Temple and Jesus finishing His discourse on the sheep and the Shepherd, I pray that God will speak to each of us through the profound truths we find in these two passages. Remember, we are not just reading the Bible. We are waiting at the feet of the Lord to hear from Him and to obey what He says to us. That must be our attitude as we read His Word each day.
Chapter 4 shows us that Solomon completed the furnishings of the Temple. Did it ever occur to you that the furnishings are just as important as the Temple? I believe they are. Even today, we should not put all of the emphasis on the church building, but we should realize that the furnishings that lead us to worship are just as important as the building. We must make sure that we have everything we need to have a wonderful experience of worship. That is what God wants for us when we come to His house to worship together.
Chapters 5 and 6 give us many insights into God's will as the Ark is brought to the Temple and as Solomon dedicates the Temple. The first insight is that Solomon followed God's Word when he had the Ark moved, so there was no problem this time like David had before. (v.5) It is so important for us to follow God's Word the first time. Then, we see the unity of the people as they followed God's will. (v.13) As they followed God's Word in unity, God blessed them with His glory filling the Temple. (v.14) It is a wonderful truth. God inhabits the praises of His people. Then in chapter 6 we see that this was God's choice. (v.6) It is so important for us to discern God's choices and to submit to them. The rest of the chapter is a litany of situations in which Solomon asks God to hear them and to respond as they pray. That is the essence of relationship. God is wanting us to communicate with Him, and He wants to communicate with us. I pray that we will all go to worship today with that realization on our hearts.
John 10 completes that thought. Look at verse 27. Jesus' sheep hear His voice, they know Him, and they follow Him. How much more clear can He be? Then, He is very clear on who He is, too. They ask Him, if He is the Christ to tell them. (v.24) Then, He responds in verses 28-30. He says that He is one with the Father. Could He be any more clear? I don't think so. Therefore, many believed in Him. They saw His works, they heard His Words, and they trusted Him in their hearts. That is what I urge you to do today, if you have not done that before.
Tomorrow, I intend to read II Chronicles 7-9 and John 11:1-29.
Chapter 4 shows us that Solomon completed the furnishings of the Temple. Did it ever occur to you that the furnishings are just as important as the Temple? I believe they are. Even today, we should not put all of the emphasis on the church building, but we should realize that the furnishings that lead us to worship are just as important as the building. We must make sure that we have everything we need to have a wonderful experience of worship. That is what God wants for us when we come to His house to worship together.
Chapters 5 and 6 give us many insights into God's will as the Ark is brought to the Temple and as Solomon dedicates the Temple. The first insight is that Solomon followed God's Word when he had the Ark moved, so there was no problem this time like David had before. (v.5) It is so important for us to follow God's Word the first time. Then, we see the unity of the people as they followed God's will. (v.13) As they followed God's Word in unity, God blessed them with His glory filling the Temple. (v.14) It is a wonderful truth. God inhabits the praises of His people. Then in chapter 6 we see that this was God's choice. (v.6) It is so important for us to discern God's choices and to submit to them. The rest of the chapter is a litany of situations in which Solomon asks God to hear them and to respond as they pray. That is the essence of relationship. God is wanting us to communicate with Him, and He wants to communicate with us. I pray that we will all go to worship today with that realization on our hearts.
John 10 completes that thought. Look at verse 27. Jesus' sheep hear His voice, they know Him, and they follow Him. How much more clear can He be? Then, He is very clear on who He is, too. They ask Him, if He is the Christ to tell them. (v.24) Then, He responds in verses 28-30. He says that He is one with the Father. Could He be any more clear? I don't think so. Therefore, many believed in Him. They saw His works, they heard His Words, and they trusted Him in their hearts. That is what I urge you to do today, if you have not done that before.
Tomorrow, I intend to read II Chronicles 7-9 and John 11:1-29.