Read 2 Chronicles 4
Highlights:
Furnishings of the Temple; Ark brought into the Temple; the cloud of the Lord fills the Temple; Solomon's prayer of dedication.
The Lord therefore hath performed His Word that He hath spoken: for I . . . have built the House for the Name of the Lord God of Israel (II Chr. 6:10).
The Temple was the first building that had been prepared for the presence of God since the Tabernacle had been erected 487 years earlier (I Kin. 6:1). Therefore, Solomon said: And the House which I build is great: for great is our God above all gods (II Chr. 2:5). But the true greatness of the Temple was that the presence of God was there. Without His presence, the Temple could have been like a body without life.
God then confirmed the reality of His presence within the Temple by filling it with the cloud of His glory (5:11-14). The presence of God will be in the midst of praise and worship to Him. God will be there. He will manifest Himself in a way that His people will recognize Him. And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know Him that is true, and we are in Him that is true, even in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the True God, and eternal life (I John 5:20).
But after our Savior ascended into heaven, God sent His Holy Spirit to dwell within the hearts of His people (John 14:16). Then said some of His disciples among themselves, What is this that He saith unto us, A little while, and ye shall not see Me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see Me: and, Because I go to the Father? (16:17). Jesus departed from the earth allowing the Holy Spirit to come. This had to transpire so that God could live in the hearts of His saints.
The Holy Spirit was sent to fill so many roles in the life of man. It is He that convicts mankind of his sinful ways. It is He that draws humans to an altar of repentance. It is He that stirs the call of God in the hearts of those who would choose to follow God at all costs. It is the Spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are Spirit, and they are life (John 6:63). It is He who is omnipresent in the world. It is He that draws people to the study of the Word of God and prayer to the God of heaven. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost (Spirit), whom the Father will send in My Name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you (14:26).
Hereby know we that we dwell in Him, and He in us, because He hath given us of His Spirit (I John 4:13).
Thought for Today:
His presence alone can truly satisfy.
Christ Revealed:
Through Solomon's prayer to God (II Chr. 6:14). Jesus is God: I and My Father are One (John 10:30; 17:22; 1:1; I John 5:7-8).
Word Studies:
4:2: molten sea, large metal, round basin; 4:22 censers, incense burners; 6:10 room, throne of Israel; 6:24 be put to the worse, are defeated; 6:28 dearth, famine; blasting, blight; sore, plague; 6:40 attent, attentive.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for International Broadcasts in honor of Bruce Rutherford's birthday • Government Officials: Sen. Lisa Murkowski (AK), Rep. John P. Sarbanes (MD) and Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA) • Country: Equatorial Guinea (466,000) in western Africa • Major language: Spanish • Freedom for churches at this time • 71% Roman Catholic; 19% ancestral spirit worship and medicine men; 6% Protestant • Prayer Suggestion: Bow before the Lord in a godly reverence as you pray and worship (Ex. 34:8).
Optional Reading: 1 Corinthians 9
Memory Verse for the Week: Hebrews 6:1
