Obedience and Blessing.

I Kings 9

But if you or your sons indeed turn away from following Me, and do not keep My commandments and My statutes which I have set before you, and go and serve other gods and worship them, then I will cut off Israel from the land which I have given them, and the house which I have consecrated for My name, I will cast out of My sight. So Israel will become a proverb and a byword among all peoples. ­– 1 Kings 9:6-7 NLT

After Solomon dedicated the Temple God appeared to him and renewed His covenant that He had made with David, Solomon's father. "As for you, if you will walk before Me as your father David walked, in integrity of heart and uprightness, doing according to all that I have commanded you and will keep My statutes and My ordinances, then I will establish the throne of your kingdom over Israel forever, just as I promised to your father David, saying, 'You shall not lack a man on the throne of Israel.'" (1 Kings 9:4-5 NLT). God uses a conditional if-then statement. If Solomon walked in integrity or wholeness of heart and with uprightness, obeying all of God's commands, then he could expect certain blessings from God, including a kingdom that would never end. But there is a second part to this covenant. If Solomon or any of his sons failed to hold up their end of the covenant, then God warned that three things would happen. He would remove the people from the very land He had promised. He would remove His presence from the Temple. And He would remove His power and protection from the people of Israel so that rather than being feared by the nations, they would be mocked and ridiculed.

You see this warning used time and time again by the Old Testament prophets as they attempted to warn the people about God's demand for obedience and faithfulness. It did not take long for things to take a turn for the worse in regards to Israel's ability to obey. Solomon himself would end up compromising his faith in Yahweh by allowing his foreign-born wives to keep the idols of other gods in his homes. We see in this chapter a little of Solomon's lack of integrity when he gives King Hiram of Tyre 20 cities in exchange for all the lumber and 9,000 pounds of gold that Hiram had contributed to the building of the Temple and Solomon's palace. King Hiram was not impressed and even named the region Cabul, which means "good for nothing." We see a little of Solomon's conniving side as he rewards King Hiram with worthless land in exchange for his help and generosity. Lack of integrity or wholeness of characters was to be a distinguishing characteristic of the people of Israel. It had been that way since they had left the land of Egypt. It can be seen during the period of the judges. They were a whining, complaining, stubborn and stiff-necked people who constantly proved themselves unfaithful to God – in spite of His ongoing faithfulness. They were constantly turning their backs on God, but He has never turned His back on them. Yes, He has allowed them to suffer defeat, humiliation, even annihilation at the hands of their enemies, but He continues to preserve both the people and the land. He has also kept His promise to preserve the throne of David by sending His own Son as a human baby, born in to the royal lineage of David. Jesus is the king who will one day sit on David's throne, ruling from the city of Jerusalem.

"Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a beautiful bride prepared for her husband. I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, 'Look, the home of God is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them.  He will remove all of their sorrows, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. For the old world and its evils are gone forever.' And the one sitting on the throne said, 'Look, I am making all things new!' And then he said to me, 'Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.' And he also said, 'It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega -- the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty I will give the springs of the water of life without charge! All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be my children.'" (Revelation 21:1-7 NLT).

Father, Your faithfulness to us is amazing. We have let you down time and time again, just like the people of Israel. But You never give up on us. You have never given up on them. You always keep Your covenant with Your people. And some day Your Son will sit on David's throne and rule from a renewed, revitalized Jerusalem. All things will be made new – including us. We will have new bodies and will worship You free from sin. Father, I can't thank You enough for Your covenant faithfulness. Forgive me for my weak faith, infidelity, and ungratefulness. You deserve my obedience and wholehearted commitment to You. Amen





Grace and Sacrifice.

2 Chronicles 7

Then the king and all the people offered sacrifices to the LORD. ­– 2 Chronicles 7:4 NLT

The celebration lasted for eight solid days. For seven of those days, Solomon and the people offered sacrifices to God. So many in fact, that they had to consecrate the main courtyard because there were s0 many animals sacrificed that the bronze altar could not accommodate them all. We are told that Solomon himself sacrificed 22,000 oxen and 120,000 sheep. All of this can end up sounding like one big party to celebrate the dedication of the Temple, but there is something far more important going on here. Just a day or so earlier, Solomon had had the Ark of the Covenant moved into the Holy of Holies. This elaborately decorated box contained the original (2nd draft) of the Ten Commandments that God had given Moses on Mount Sinai. The lid of the ark was called "the mercy seat" or kappo„reth, This was God's throne so to speak. It was where His presence dwelt in the Temple. “There, above the cover between the two cherubim that are over the ark of the Testimony, I will meet with you and give you all my commands for the Israelites” (Exodus 25:22). The ark was a symbol of God's presence, but also of His grace and mercy. In that ark was contained the law of God in the form of the Ten Commandments. These were God's expectations for His covenant people. These laws were given to be obeyed and followed. But God knew that His people would be incapable of keeping His commands faithfully and perfectly. So He established the sacrificial system as a means of providing atonement or payment for their sins. If they sinned, they could offer the appropriate sacrifice and receive forgiveness. The shed blood would cover their sins. They would receive grace and mercy from God as long as they were faithful to avail themselves of the sacrificial system that He had provided. But over time, this all became ritualistic and rote. The people learned to just go through the motions. They lost the true meaning and significance.

The altar was to symbolize the people's response to the grace of God. Because God had chosen them, set them apart, and agreed to dwell in their midst, the appropriate response was to be sacrifice. God had done much for them. The least they could do was offer up sacrifices to God in order to present themselves as a holy people, set apart for His use. You see throughout this chapter a series of if…then statements. The most familiar one is found in verses 14 and 15. "If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, [then] I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and heal their land. [then] I will listen to every prayer made in this place" (2 Chronicles 7:14-15 NLT). While this passage is often used by modern day Christians here in America as a call to prayer for our country, it was a promise given to the nation of Israel. It had direct ties to the land of promise. While there are principles we can glean from these verses regarding repentance, it does not contain a promise to America that God will restore our land if we pray. America is NOT the promised land of God. Americans are NOT the chosen people of God. Israel was and still is.

But God's blessings on Israel were conditional. If Solomon obeyed all of God's commands and laws, then God would not allow anyone to take his throne away from him. God expected Solomon to be obedient. If Solomon abandoned God and went after other gods, then God would abandon the people and allow them to go into captivity. He would remove His presence from the Temple, from above the mercy seat. He would even allow the Temple to be destroyed. God demanded sacrifice and a big part of that sacrifice had to do with obedience. Samuel put it this way: "Has the Lord as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams" (1 Samuel 15:22 NASB). David echoes this thought: "For You do not delight in sacrifice, otherwise I would give it; You are not pleased with burnt offerings. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, You will not despise" (Psalm 51:16-17 NASB). God wants the sacrifice of a broken, humble heart. He wants us to offer sacrifices based on an understanding of just how broken we are without Him. We have been extended grace and mercy. Our response should be gratitude and sacrifice, expressed in obedient service and submission to His will for us. The Israelites would fail miserably at this. But we do too in so many ways. The great news is that the new covenant under which we live is non-conditional. God's grace and mercy to me is not dependent upon anything I do or have done. It is all a free gift provided to me because of what Christ has already done on my behalf. And while I don't have to DO anything to remain in God's good favor and graces, I will do all things to the glory of God because of His good favor and grace. My response to His grace is obedient sacrifice and service. Grace like that deserves gratitude expressed in obedience and selfless sacrifice.

Father, Your grace for me is unbelievable. That You would choose me and shower me with Your grace and mercy is hard to understand. I always feel like I have to do something to earn Your grace. I keep thinking I have to do something to make You love me. I have to do something to stay in Your good graces. But Christ has done it all. My obedience should be an expression of my gratitude for Your grace. Help me understand more and more just how magnificent Your grace really is so that I might be willing to sacrifice more and more to You. Amen





Our Incomparable God.

2 Chronicles 6

O Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like you in all of heaven and earth. You keep your covenant and show unfailing love to all who walk before you in wholehearted devotion. ­– 2 Chronicles 6:14 NLT

The Temple is complete. Solomon's grand project to build a house for God and fulfill the dream of his father David has been realized. The dedication is all that's left to wrap up this project. And as Solomon takes center stage, addressing the thousands of Israelites who have come to witness this once-in-a-lifetime event, he gives the speech of his lifetime. Like all good dedication speeches, it contains a prayer; and in that prayer, Solomon reminds God of His faithfulness. He acknowledges that God has kept the promise He had made to David to allow one of his descendants to build the Temple. He has made it possible for Solomon to complete this unbelievable building project. Solomon knows that he could not have done it without God's help. But Solomon also reminds God that there are other promises yet to be fulfilled. He was thinking about his kingdom. He recalled what his father David had told him. And he reminded God. "And now, O Lord, God of Israel, carry out the additional promise you made to your servant David, my father. For you said to him, ‘If your descendants guard their behavior and faithfully follow my Law as you have done, one of them will always sit on the throne of Israel" (2 Chronicles 6:16 NLT). I have a feeling that Solomon could remember word for word the promise that God had made to David. He could quote those words from memory, and he was counting on God fulfilling them. "He is the one who will build a Temple to honor my name. He will be my son, and I will be his father. And I will secure the throne of his kingdom over Israel forever" (1 Chronicles 22:10 NLT). Solomon had done his part. He had finished the Temple. Now he was asking God to fulfill the rest of His promise. He was asking God to secure the throne of his kingdom over Israel forever.

Solomon knew he was nothing without God. He knew that the Temple was just another building if God chose not to inhabit it. He knew his kingdom was going to be short-lived and less-than-memorable if God was not on his side. He knew that tough times were going to come and that the people of Israel were going to encounter difficulties along the way, and if God was not faithful to hear their prayers and to intervene of their behalf, they would fail. Solomon knew just how much he needed God. Do we? Do I really understand just how dependent I am for EVERYTHING in my life. Without God in my marriage, all I have is just another marriage. Without God in my work, I am laboring in vain. Without God in my home, my family is no different than any other family on earth. Without God in my church, it is just another gathering of people. God is central to all that we do as Christians. We do not exist without Him. We cannot succeed without Him. We cannot survive without Him. Solomon knew that. He was well aware of the fact that his reign was on shaky ground without the abiding presence of God. So he called on God to remember His promises. Solomon was counting on the faithful and unfailing love of God. "O Lord God, do not reject the king you have anointed.Remember your unfailing love for your servant David" (2 Chronicles 6:42 NLT). Solomon's Temple would not last. Neither would his reign. He and the people would prove to be unfaithful. They would fail to keep their end of the bargain. You could almost sense that Solomon saw this coming. But God would be faithful in spite of their unfaithfulness. God would keep His end of the covenant. David's kingdom would last. One of his descendants would sit on David's throne and His kingdom will last forever. Jesus Christ is the ultimate fulfillment of these promises. Listen to the words of the angel to Mary: "You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!" (Luke 1:31-33 NLT).

Father, You truly are incomparable. Not only is there no other god like You, there is no other god besides You. And that You have chosen to show Your love to someone like me is unbelievable. That You have chosen me and every day shower me with Your love is incomprehensible. You are so faithful. You never let a single one of Your promises go unfulfilled. Thank You for keeping Your covenant with David by sending Your Son to rule and reign. Thank You that I can rest in the knowledge that He is sitting at Your right hand even now, and is one day coming back to establish His kingdom on earth forever. Amen





Warriors, Not Just Worshipers.

Psalms 149-150

Let the praises of God be in their mouths, and a sharp sword in their hands. ­– Psalm 159:6 NLT

What an interesting phrase. "Let the praises of God be in their mouths, and a sharp sword in their hands -- to execute vengeance on the nations and punishment on the peoples, to bind their kings with shackles and their leaders with iron chains, to execute the judgment written against them" (Psalm 149:6-9 NLT). These last five psalms of the entire psalter are hymns of praise to God, encouraging us to praise Him for His power, provision, mercy and grace. But right in the middle of Psalm 149 the psalmist mixes in a little weaponry and war-like language with his call to worship. He tells the people of God to praise God with their lips, but to have a sword ready in their hand at the same time. I think we sometimes forget that our God has called us to be a part of His glorious army. We are at war. We are engaged in an epic battle between the dark forces of this world that have aligned themselves against the rule and reign of God Almighty. Jesus told us that the enemy (Satan) seeks to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10). Paul reminds us that we have weapons we are to use in this battle – the weapons of our warfare. "We use God's mighty weapons, not mere worldly weapons, to knock down the Devil's strongholds" (2 Corinthians 7:4 NLT). Paul also tells us to equip ourselves with the armor of God. "Use every piece of God's armor to resist the enemy in the time of evil, so that after the battle you will still be standing firm" (Ephesians 6:13 NLT). This is not Disneyland. This is a battle field and there are casualties of war all around us. Every day we see marriages destroyed, relationships blown apart, children rebel, individuals succumb to addictions of all kinds, and fellow believers fall prey to the attacks of the enemy because they were ill-prepared for battle.

This psalm is a vivid reminder that we have been called to praise God, but to also be ready to fight for God. As Paul tells us, our enemies are spiritual, not physical. Our weapons are not made of steel and chrome. They are the Word of God and the power of faith in God. Paul tells us, "Be strong with the Lord's mighty power. Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies and tricks of the Devil. For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 6:10-12 NLT). We have the promises of God's Word, the power of believing prayer, the presence of the Holy Spirit, the protection of our faith in God's love for us, and the peace-providing reality of our ultimate salvation and victory over the enemy. So praise God and be ready to defend the cause of God. One day His Son is going to return. This time He is not coming as an innocent, helpless baby in a manger. He is coming as the King of kings and Lord of lords. He is coming in might and power and He is bringing the army of heaven with Him. And He will put an end to this war once and for all. He will destroy the kingdom of Satan and restore the earth back to its former glory. We fight for the side that is going to win in the end! And that's something worth shouting about.

"Then I saw heaven opened, and a white horse was standing there. And the one sitting on the horse was named Faithful and True. For he judges fairly and then goes to war. His eyes were bright like flames of fire, and on his head were many crowns. A name was written on him, and only he knew what it meant. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and his title was the Word of God. The armies of heaven, dressed in pure white linen, followed him on white horses. From his mouth came a sharp sword, and with it he struck down the nations. He ruled them with an iron rod, and he trod the winepress of the fierce wrath of almighty God. On his robe and thigh was written this title: King of kings and Lord of lords." – Revelation 19:11-16 NLT

Father, we praise You, but we also want to be ready to fight alongside You in this earthly struggle between the kingdom of righteousness and the kingdom of wickedness. Never let us forget that we are at war. While we sing songs and worship You on Sunday, there are countless people dying at the hands of the enemy all around us. As we read our Bibles and study Your truths, there are people who are being destroyed by the enemy and his lies, and we have the means to rescue them. Show us how to be warriors, not just worshipers. Amen





Hear Our Prayers.

1 Kings 8

May you hear the humble and earnest requests from me and your people Israel when we pray toward this place. Yes, hear us from heaven where you live, and when you hear, forgive. ­– 1 Kings 8:30 NLT

In this recalling of Solomon's dedication of the Temple, we are given a word-for-word account of the prayer Solomon offered up to God on that solemn occasion. We are told that Solomon prayed this prayer with his hands upheld as he kneeled in front of the altar of the Lord. He had just built a magnificent structure, a testimony to the greatness of God. This impressive building was intended to be the house of God – His literal dwelling place. But even Solomon knew that no man could build a building big enough or grand enough to contain the God of the universe. He stated, "Why, even the highest heavens cannot contain you. How much less this Temple I have built!" (1 Kings 8:27 NLT). Solomon's God was bigger than Solomon's Temple. And Solomon knew that his Temple, his kingdom and the people of Israel were hopeless and helpless if God did not continue to fulfill His promises and keep His hand on them. So Solomon prayed. He begged God. And the one word he repeated over and over as he prayed was, "hear." He wanted to know that God was going to listen to the cries of His people. Solomon was wise. He knew human nature. He knew that a Temple alone was not going to make the people of Israel obedient and sin-free. The sacrificial system had yet to produce a perfect people. So he went to God and begged Him to be available during those time when the people sinned, turned their backs on God, or found themselves in desperate circumstances. Solomon leaves nothing to the imagination. He gave God scenario after scenario – countless examples of situations in which the people might find themselves calling out to God for help and mercy. When they were wrongly accused. When they suffered defeat at the hands of their enemies due to sin. When they find themselves in times of drought. When they suffer the effects of a natural disaster or calamity. When foreigners hear of the greatness of God and call out to Him. When they need help during times of war. When they sin and find themselves exiled to a foreign land.

It is almost as if Solomon knew exactly what the people of God were going to do in the years ahead. They would sin. They would find themselves at war. They would encounter diseases and disasters. They would end up in exile. And much of it because of their own sin and stubbornness. So Solomon, knowing the sinful nature of man, begged His God to never stop hearing the repentant prayers of His people.He wanted to know that, whatever happened, God would be there to hear from and respond to the people when they called out to Him. And over in 2 Chronicles we have God's condition for His response: "Then one night the LORD appeared to Solomon and said, 'I have heard your prayer and have chosen this Temple as the place for making sacrifices. At times I might shut up the heavens so that no rain falls, or I might command locusts to devour your crops, or I might send plagues among you. Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and heal their land. I will listen to every prayer made in this place, for I have chosen this Temple and set it apart to be my home forever. My eyes and my heart will always be here. (2 Chronicles 7:12-16 NLT). God wanted prayers mixed with humility, brokenness and repentance. He wanted to know they were sorry for their sin and serious about changing. And God wants the same things today. God still hears. But He wants to hear sincere prayers prayed from sincere hearts. He wants repentance not remorse. God hears, but He also perceives. He knows the difference between a prayer prayed from a broken heart and one prayed to simply to get out of a circumstance of brokenness. God hears. But what kind of prayers does He hear His people praying today?

Father, may we learn to be broken over our own brokenness. We are going to sin. We are going to let You down. We are going to do things that break Your law and Your heart. May we learn to cry out to You in repentance, not remorse. May we long to be forgiven more than we long to be released from whatever pain or difficulty we find ourselves in. Give us the capacity for praying prayers of sincerity. Amen





Our Great and Gracious God.

Psalms 146-148

How great is our Lord! His power is absolute! His understanding is beyond comprehension! ­– Psalm 147:5 NLT

These three Psalms are three-fifths of the closing hymns of the entire psalter. They help wrap up this collection of songs by offering praise to God for His power, provision, grace, and mercy. They remind us of just how great a God we serve. He is not a mere concept or force, but a being of immense power and intelligence. He is a loving creator who made all that we see by simply speaking it into existence, and He sustains it all with ease. When we consider the immensity of God, it seems ludicrous to trust in men. God alone has the power to rescue, redeem, and restore. He brings healing to the brokenhearted, sight to the blind, support to the fatherless and widows, food for the hungry, freedom to the captives, support to the afflicted, and favor to those who fear Him. As followers of Christ, those phrases should sound familiar. On a visit to His hometown of Nazareth, Jesus stood in the synagogue and read from Isaiah chapter 61 the following words: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has appointed me to preach Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the downtrodden will be freed from their oppressors, and that the time of the Lord's favor has come" (Luke 4:18-19 NLT). Jesus Christ is the ultimate expression of God's grace and mercy. He is the real answer to oppression, illness, disease, inequity, spiritual blindness, hunger, affliction, fear, and even death.

God does not offer just temporary relief from the cares and concerns of life. He offers eternal salvation from the rule of sin and the penalty of death. He has provided a way for men to be restored to a right relationship to Him, in spite of their sin and rebellion against Him. He has made possible a way to remedy the results of the fall and restore mankind and the earth to their former glory. He not only created the earth and all it contains, He is one day going to recreate it – restore it to the way it was intended to be all along. Only God can do that. Any attempts by man to improve the earth and our lives on it are fleeting and temporary. In many cases, our attempts at improvement have resulted in greater devastation. From nuclear power that resulted in nuclear weapons to the combustion engine that has polluted our atmosphere, every "improvement" by man has ended up having a negative impact. God alone is our salvation. He alone has the power to provide us with hope and healing. So the Psalmist reminds us to praise Him. From the oldest to the youngest, the rich to the poor, the wealthy to the needy – everyone and everything should praise the Lord. "Let them all praise the name of the LORD. For his name is very great; his glory towers over the earth and heaven!" (Psalm 148:13 NLT).

Father, only You are worthy of our praise. Only You have the capacity to do anything about our neediness and hopelessness. I can praise You even before You answer because I know You will – You always do. You have sent Your Son as the answer to every single one of our problems and as the solution to all that's wrong with our planet and the people who occupy it. Even as I read the news this morning I am amazed at all that is wrong in our world. Earthquakes, riots, rebellions, murders, genocide, war, hatred, greed, and immorality of all kinds. But I can praise You because one day You are going to make all this right. You are going to restore Your creation to the way it was meant to be. And even in the midst of all this, You have given me hope through Jesus Christ, Your Son. He is the ultimate expression of Your favor to man. So I praise You! Amen





Unseen, But Far From Unappreciated.

Psalm 134

Oh, praise the Lord, all you servants of the Lord, you who serve at night in the house of the Lord. ­– Psalm 134:1 NLT

Just three verses long, this Psalm seems to be a short, simple conclusion or benediction to the Song of Ascents, the hymnbook used by pilgrims on their way to Jerusalem to celebrate the annual feasts of Passover, Pentecost and Booths. The Song of Ascents included Psalms 120-134. In this particular concluding Psalm the emphasis turns toward those who serve God in the Temple at night. Care for the Temple was an around-the-clock affair. While the people slept, the priests were busy caring for, cleaning, purifying and readying the Temple for the following day. It seems that there was a group of the Levites whose duty it was to perform some of the more mundane or less-than-glamorous duties associated with the Temple. According to 1 Chronicles 23, "The duty of the Levites was to help Aaron's descendants in the service of the temple of the LORD: to be in charge of the courtyards, the side rooms, the purification of all sacred things and the performance of other duties at the house of God. They were in charge of the bread set out on the table, the flour for the grain offerings, the unleavened wafers, the baking and the mixing, and all measurements of quantity and size.  They were also to stand every morning to thank and praise the LORD. They were to do the same in the evening, and whenever burnt offerings were presented to the LORD on Sabbaths and at New Moon festivals and at appointed feasts. They were to serve before the LORD regularly in the proper number and in the way prescribed for them (1 Chronicles 23:28-31 NLT).

This Psalm was meant to be an expression of encouragement to those who serve the Lord at night, in relative obscurity – serving Him joyfully, offering Him praise even in the midst of their nightly duties. It was a reminder to the pilgrims and the priests that the role these priests played was far from unimportant. While no one saw what they did, God was watching. Their duties were just as important as those of the priests who offered up the sacrifices in the courtyard. Without their careful purification of the utensils and objects used in the sacrificial system, the sacrifices offered up to God would have been considered unclean and unacceptable. I can only imagine the cleanup job each evening after a full day of sacrifices with the blood of thousands of animals having flowed within the grounds of the Temple. Everything had to be cleaned and purified. These men played a critical role in the sacrificial system of Israel. And their efforts were a blessing to God.

What a reminder to us that there are those who serve the body of Christ in obscurity, doing roles that many of us would think are unglamorous and even unimportant. I think of the men and women who serve each week on our Parking Posse, overseeing the flow of cars on to and off of our campus each week. Without their efforts, the chaos that would ensue would be unbearable. Yet many don't even notice these people are there. I think of the hundreds of Sunday School teachers and volunteers who serve each and every Sunday throughout the year, caring for and teaching our children. We take them for granted. We come to church knowing they will be there to provide our children a safe environment in which to learn and grow in their knowledge of God and His Word. What about the maintenance staff who work all throughout the week, caring for the buildings and grounds, ensuring they are clean and that everything works properly? They operate behind the scenes, invisible and unknown to most of us. But just think about how their efforts enhance our worship of God on Sunday.

From those who design and print the worship folders each Sunday to those who prepare the coffee, countless individuals serve behind the scenes in an effort to make our worship of God as comfortable and hassle-free as possible. May God bless them for their efforts. And may we learn to thank them for all that they do.

Father, thank You for reminding me of all those who serve You selflessly each week. Create in me a heart of gratitude, expressing my thanks to them for all that they do to enhance our worship experience each week. May You bless them Father for their willingness to serve in ways that many of would not do. Amen





His love endures forever.

Psalm 136

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. "His love endures forever." ­– Psalm 136:1 NLT

In this Psalm we are encouraged repeatedly to give thanks to God. But we are also given the reasons why. Over and over again, the psalmist provides us with the countless examples of God's love that we encounter each and every day. The word the psalmist uses that is translated love in The New Living Translation and mercy in The New American Standard version is chesed, which means "the grace, favor, and mercy of God toward man." The things the psalmist lists are examples of God's favor and mercy toward us. His creation is an example of His grace, mercy and favor. His redemption of Israel from captivity in Egypt is an expression of His grace, mercy and favor. His splitting of the Red Sea and miraculously rescuing the Israelites from certain destruction at the hands of the Egyptians was an expression of His grace, mercy and favor. His provision and protection of the Israelites during all their years of wandering in the wilderness was an expression of His grace, mercy and favor. His victories over the enemies who occupied the Promised Land was an expression of His grace, mercy and favor. His provision of the land was an expression of His grace, mercy and favor. His recognition of Israel's weakness and inability to save themselves, then stepping in and redeeming and rescuing them, is an expression of His grace, mercy and favor.

Over and over again, the psalmist paints a picture of God's unending grace, mercy and favor expressed to the people of God in a variety of ways. And what should our response be to all this? Thanks! Gratitude! A recognition that God has been and is at work in and around our lives in so many ways. Some obvious, and some not so obvious. The very creation of the world in which we live is an expression of God's love for us. The provision of the food we eat is an expression of God's love for us. But how often do we thank Him for our meals or for the beauty we see all around us? We take it all for granted. One of the problems the Israelites faced was that when they finally got into the land and enjoyed all that God had given them, they would take credit for it all and forget God. And God knew this was going to be temptation for them. Listen to His warning to them just before they entered the land. "When the LORD your God brings you into the land he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, to give you--a land with large, flourishing cities you did not build, houses filled with all kinds of good things you did not provide, wells you did not dig, and vineyards and olive groves you did not plant--then when you eat and are satisfied, be careful that you do not forget the LORD, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery" (Deuteronomy 6:10-12 NLT). Cities you did not build, good things you did not provide, wells you did not dig, vineyards and groves you did not plant … all of these things were provided by God in His great grace, mercy and favor. They were undeserved and unmerited. God gives us so many things each and every day that we do not deserve. We enjoy so much that is just a result of His unmerited favor toward us. And our response should be (1) a recognition of it as an expression of God's love, and (2) thankfulness to God for His love. God's love is everlasting and everywhere we look. It surrounds us. It protects us. It provides for us. It sustains us. And for that we should be eternally grateful.

Father, thank You for Your everlasting, undeserved love that You shower on me day after day in so many ways. Thank You for my health, my home, my cars I drive, the clothes I wear, the wife I love, they children You have given me, the job I go to each day, the paychecks I cash, the food I eat, the friends I enjoy … they all come from You. Because You love me. Amen





The Indwelling Presence of God.

2 Chronicles 5

The trumpeters and singers performed together in unison to praise and give thanks to the LORD. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals, and other instruments, they raised their voices and praised the LORD with these words: "He is so good! His faithful love endures forever!" At that moment a cloud filled the Temple of the LORD. ­– 2 Chronicles 5:13 NLT

The Temple was complete. The construction crews had gone home. It was now time to make the house Solomon had built for God ready for God. So he sent for the Ark of the Covenant. It had been in a temporary location since the time of David. A procession of priests and people accompanied the Ark from the city of David all the way to the Temple, which was located a spot that was at a higher elevation. Along the way, the priests made sacrifices to God – so many in fact, nobody was able to keep an accurate count. "King Solomon and the entire community of Israel sacrificed sheep and oxen before the Ark in such numbers that no one could keep count!" (2 Chronicles 5:6 NLT). There was music, instruments, singing and praises lifted up all along the way. It was a celebration of the highest order. And when they finally were able to place the Ark inside the Holy of Holies, the glorious presence of God filled the place. His shekinah glory, in the form of a cloud, descended onto the Ark and filled the Temple – making it impossible for the priests to continue their work.

The cloud, signifying God's presence, filled the Temple. This was the same cloud that had led the people of God from Egypt all the way to the Promised Land. It was a sign of God's favor, blessing, leading, and yes, His presence. When they saw the cloud, they knew that God was there. The invisible one had become visible. God did a similar thing when He sent His Son to earth – the invisible became visible. God came and dwelt among men in the form of a man. God's Son walked and lived among us. He was the living, breathing presence of God. Then when Jesus died, rose again, and ascended back into heaven, God sent another proof of His presence – the Holy Spirit – who lives within us, filling us with the very presence of God. We are the temple of God and He indwells us just like He did that day when Solomon placed the Ark in the Tabernacle. And the very fact that the presence of God is among us and inside us, should cause us to offer our bodies as a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1), and lift up a constant flow of praise to Him. We should sing, shout, rejoice, and celebrate the presence of God among us each and every day of our lives.

Father, Your Spirit inhabits me just as it did the Temple that day. You fill me with Your presence every day of my life. Yet I take it for granted. I sometimes allow my "temple" to become less than holy. I fail to keep my "temple" separated for Your use only. I use it for my own pleasure and benefit. I forget that You are there. Give me a more constant awareness of Your presence. Help me not forget that You are there, right inside of me; guiding, directing, comforting, convicting, and loving me. What an incredible thing to consider. Amen





A Glimpse of God.

2 Chronicles 4

I am about to build a Temple to honor the name of the Lord my God. ­– 2 Chronicles 2:4 NLT

How would you describe God? What words would you use? How many adjectives would you have to string together until you came up with a suitable description of a God who is indescribable? The fact is, describing God is an impossible task for mere man to take on. We don't even have the capacity tocomprehend God, let alone describe him. So we are left at a loss for words. Which is part of the reason why I think God gave Moses the plans for the Tabernacle in the wilderness. Just think about it. God was VERY specific about how He wanted the Tabernacle to be constructed, right down to theexact materials and measurements. Nothing was left to chance or the imagination. Now when it comes to the Temple that Solomon built, the plans were not from God, but they seem to be patterned after the Tabernacle. You might want to think of the Temple as the Tabernacle on steroids. It was a bigger, better version of the same thing. And I think it was Solomon's attempt to describe the indescribable – God Himself. He made it clear that he was building the Temple in order to honor the name of the Lord. This building was an earthly representation or symbol for a heavenly being.

When you read this portion of the book of 2 Chronicles, it's easy to let your eyes glaze over and your mind drift as you work your way through the endless details and descriptions of basins and bowls, cherubim and chains, lampstands and ladles, courtyards and curtains. But if you slow down long enough to think about what this building and all its elements must have looked like when completed, it begins to give you an idea of what I think Solomon was trying to do – honor the glory of his God with a building that was truly glorious and spectacular. The Temple contained elements and attributes that correlate with God Himself. The Temple was filled with expensive and hard-to-come-by metals. In fact, there was so much bronze used, that they couldn't determine its weight. There were precious stones and exotic woods. Only the finest fabrics were used, handwoven with painstakingly dyed thread and containing intricate designs of incredible beauty. Everything seems to be over-sized and out of proportion. The basin could hold 11,000 gallons of water. There were hand-carved and cast versions of pomegranates everywhere – symbolic of fruitfulness and abundance. Gold glistened everywhere. Lamps filled with the finest olive oil shed a shimmering light on everything. Light, beauty, abundance, immensity, quality, craftsmanship, creativity, order, peace – all these things speak of God. They reflect who He is. This building was not only a dwelling for God, it was a telling place. It told of His goodness, greatness, power, creativity, holiness, righteousness, order, and beauty. Our God is great. Our God is good. Our God is indescribable. But the good news is – He is knowable. I may not be able to describe Him, but I can know Him and be known by Him.

Father, I have no idea what the Temple really looked like, but I can imagine it was an incredible sight to behold. But even in all its glory, it couldn't hold a candle to You. Open my eyes and let me somehow perceive just how great and good You are. You reveal Yourself around me each and every day, but I have grown blind to Your presence. Open my eyes and let me see. May the glory of Solomon's Temple give me a little glimpse of just how great You really are. Amen





All to the Glory of God.

1 Kings 7

Huram set the pillars at the entrance of the Temple, one toward the south and one toward the north. He named the one on the south Jakin, and the one on the north Boaz. ­– 1 Kings 7:21 NLT

What an amazing description of Solomon's palace. At first reading it gave me the impression that Solomon was more obsessed with his own palace than he was for the Temple of his God. After all, he took longer to build his palace, it was much larger and contained even more objects of beauty and symbols of his wealth. But in the cultures of his day the size of the king's palace and its proximity to the temple of their god, were signs of the power and glory of that god. Solomon's palace was a direct reflection of the blessings of God and was designed to honor the one who made Solomon's reign possible. The entire complex must have been a sight to behold. It was massive, beautiful and filled with treasures of all kinds. But it was not just a monument to extravagance. Everything had a purpose. Even the two pillars that Solomon had erected within the Temple. You can recognize it in the names he gave them. These were probably not functional pillars. In other words, they were not being used to hold up the roof of the Temple. They were decorative, but also highly symbolic. Their real purpose seems to have been to remind the Israelites that Yahweh had established them as a nation and was the source of their strength. The first pillar was named "Jachin" which means "He shall establish," and the second was named "Boaz" which means "In Him is strength."

God was the one who had created the nation of Israel. He had called Abraham out of Ur of the Caldees hundreds of years earlier. God had blessed Abraham and fulfilled His promise to make him a great nation – even though he was old and married to a barren wife. God was the one who had prospered Israel during their time in Egypt and multiplied them from just a handful to a great multitude. He had set them free from their captivity in Egypt and led them to the Promised Land. He had delivered the land into their hands – giving them victories over their more powerful enemies. Even when Israel rejected God as their king and demanded a human leader, God did not give up on them, but eventually gave them David – a man after His own heart. Through David, God completed the conquering of the land and made Israel a great and powerful nation. David's son, Solomon, took over the kingdom and enjoyed a time of great power, prominence and peace – all because of the sustaining hand of God. And as long as Israel worshiped, honored, and obeyed God, their nation would continue to be established and upheld by God. He was their strength. He was the source of their power. It was not their great king and his mighty armies. It was not his vast wealth and incredible wisdom. The people of Israel must never forget that God was the one they were to rely on. His power alone made their existence possible. But they would soon forget that. They would become complacent, cocky, and turn away from God. They would turn to other sources for their strength. They would doubt the very one who had established them and gave them strength. And the beauty of the Temple and the grandeur of Solomon's palace would not be able to protect them from what was to come. Both would be destroyed, and Israel would end up in captivity.

God is the one who establishes and He is the one who provides strength. The same is true for us as believers today. I am nothing without Him. He chose me. I did not choose Him. He saved me when I could not have saved myself. He is my source of strength. I have no power on my own. But how easy it is to forget those two facts. I can quickly fall into the delusion that I established myself. I am a self-made man. I can begin to rely on my power and intelligence, forgetting that God is the source of my strength. Solomon didn't want the people to forget the reality of God's role in their existence, so he had two huge pillars erected as reminders. What do we need to do to keep this same message burned into our own memories? The psalmist gives us a clue. "We will not hide these truths from our children but will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the LORD. We will tell of his power and the mighty miracles he did" (Psalm 78:4 NLT). Rather than erect monuments to God's greatness and goodness, we should talk about all that He has done. We should brag about His provision for us. We should tell others of His grace and mercy toward us. We should constantly talk about our dependence on Him and the strength He provides for us. Tell of the Lord's greatness. Speak about His power. And never forget.

Father, You alone have established us and You alone provide the power necessary to protect and provide for us. Yet it is so easy for us to take credit for where we are and falsely believe that we can somehow take care of ourselves. May we learn to remind one another daily about just how great You really are. May we learn to recall just where we were without You. You established us. You are our strength. Amen





The Lord Will See To It.

2 Chronicles 3

So Solomon began to build the Temple of the LORD in Jerusalem on Mount Moriah, where the LORD had appeared to Solomon's father, King David. The Temple was built on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite, the site that David had selected. ­– 2 Chronicles 3:1 NLT

I am always amazed at those who see some great gulf existing between the Old and New Testaments. They love reading the New Testament and seem to believe that because it contains the revelation of Jesus, it somehow trumps the Old Testament. The Old Testament to them is … well, old. It is antiquated, out of touch with modern day life and full of hard-to-understand images of sacrifice, war, and an angry, vengeful God. But the entire Bible is the revelation of God. It reveals God Himself, and His redemptive plan for mankind, which culminates in the life, death and resurrection of His Son, Jesus. If you look carefully, you will see this redemptive message all throughout the Bible. It is what is sometimes referred to as the Scarlet Thread. Pictures of God's redemption of mankind can be seen throughout the Old Testament and our chapter for today is no different. At first glance, it appears to be just another description of Solomon's Temple. There are measurements of pillars and foundations, descriptions of the various rooms and courtyards. There appears to be no real purpose behind these detail, unless you begin at verse 1. Hidden within these two sentences is a wonderful picture of God's redemptive plan.

It tells us that Solomon was building the Temple on Mount Moriah. What is significant about that? Well, to begin with, it was on Mount Moriah that God commanded Abraham to offer up his son, Isaac, as a sacrifice (Genesis 22). Here was Abraham being told by God to sacrifice the one son he had waited so long for. He was the one through whom all the promises of God were to be fulfilled. And now Abraham was being told to end his life. Which Abraham was willing to do – out of faith in God and his belief that God would raise him up again. Abraham was willing to die to his dream in order to be obedient to God. And because of that, God told Abraham, "Do not hurt the boy in any way, for now I know that you truly fear God. You have not withheld even your beloved son from me" (Genesis 22:12 NLT). Instead of Abraham having to sacrifice Isaac, God provided a substitute, a stand-in. "Then Abraham looked up and saw a ram caught by its horns in a bush. So he took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering on the altar in place of his son" (Genesis 22:13 NLT). Abraham ended up calling the place on which this entire event took place, "Yahweh Yireh" or "The Lord will provide," or literally, "The Lord will see to it."

Fast-forward to the time of David. There came a time in David's life when he sinned against God by refusing to trust Him. Instead, he placed his trust in his own military might and took an ill-advised census of the people in order to determine just how many able-bodied soldiers he had. David's sin was in putting his faith in numbers rather than God. As a result, God punished Israel and 70,000 men died. God was going to destroy all of Jerusalem, and sent an angel to meet with David. The place where they met was the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite – the very same place where Abraham was commanded to offer up Isaac. David looked up and saw the angel standing before him with his sword drawn and stretched out over Jerusalem. At that point, David confesses that the sin was his and his alone. He takes ownership for what has happened and offers his own life in exchange for that of the people of Israel. "I am the one who called for the census! I am the one who has sinned and done wrong! But these people are innocent -- what have they done? O LORD my God, let your anger fall against me and my family, but do not destroy your people" (1 Chronicles 21:17 NLT). God commanded David to build an altar on the very same spot where Abraham had built his altar. There David offered up sacrifices and offerings to God, and God spared the people.

Now years later, Solomon is erecting the Temple on the very same ground. He is building a house place for God where His presence can dwell and where the people can bring their sacrifices. Each year on the Day of Atonement, the high priest would offer a substitute sacrifice for Israel just as Abraham had done for Isaac. It would be a constant reminder that "The Lord Will Provide." He will see to it. He has a plan for the sin of mankind. And while the sacrifices offered in the Temple could never completely forgive or wipe out the sins of men, it foreshadows God's ultimate plan of substitionary sacrifice – the death of His own Son in our place. Jesus became the Lamb who was slain. He became our sin substitute. He was the one who would pay the ultimate price for the sins of mankind by giving His own life to satisfy the justice of God. God saw to it. He provided. And those of us in Christ have benefited greatly from that grand redemptive plan.

Father, thank You for providing a way for me to be made right with You. I could never have done it on my own. I could never have done enough to pay for my sin or earn Your good favor. But You mercifully and graciously provided a way. You saw to it. And I am eternally grateful. Amen





What Does God Want?

1 Kings 6

Then the LORD gave this message to Solomon: "Concerning this Temple you are building, if you keep all my laws and regulations and obey all my commands, I will fulfill through you the promise I made to your father, David. I will live among the people of Israel and never forsake my people." ­– 1 Kings 6:11-13 NLT

At some point along the way, while Solomon was constructing the Temple for God, he received a word from God. And God basically told him that obedience was still going to be the main criteria for assuring His abiding presence among the people of Israel. Building a house or dwelling place for God was NOT going to be enough to guarantee His presence. They were still going to be required to keep all of his laws and regulations – including those tied to the sacrificial system that was going to be linked to the Temple.

The Temple was an amazing structure, ornately furnished, covered in gold, meticulous in its details, and an incredible feat of construction. It took Solomon seven years to complete, and cost him a fortune to build. But as beautiful and impressive as it was, without the willing obedience of the people, it would become just another structure. God didn't need a building in which to live. He wanted a people who were willing to live for Him. The Temple was to be a reminder of God's presence. It was to be a focal point for the nation of Israel. It was there that all their religious activities culminated and came together. But without obedience, it became just a well-constructed combination of stone, wood, and precious metals. In Jesus's day the Temple that Herod built to replace Solomon's Temple was an equally beautiful structure. It was the pride of the Jewish nation. Even the disciples of Jesus admired it. One day while walking in the Temple grounds, Jesus and His disciples had an interesting and somewhat disturbing conversation about the Temple. "Some of his disciples began talking about the beautiful stonework of the Temple and the memorial decorations on the walls. But Jesus said, 'The time is coming when all these things will be so completely demolished that not one stone will be left on top of another'" (Luke 21:5-6 NLT). The disciples were admiring the beauty of the structure, but Jesus was aware of the hearts of the people. They had turned away from obeying God. They were no longer keeping the commands and decrees of God. Sure, they were going through the rituals and the religious duties associated with the Temple worship, but their hearts were not in it. And the religious leaders of Jesus' day were the greatest offenders.

Over in the book of John, we read the words of Jesus: "If you love me, obey my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world at large cannot receive him, because it isn't looking for him and doesn't recognize him. But you do, because he lives with you now and later will be in you" (John 14:15-17 NLT). Paul reminds us, "For we are the temple of the living God. As God said: 'I will live in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they will be my people. Therefore, come out from them and separate yourselves from them, says the Lord. Don't touch their filthy things, and I will welcome you. And I will be your Father, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty" (2 Corinthians 6:16-18 NLT). We are the dwelling place of God. We are where He has chosen to place His presence among men in these days. But God calls us to a life of obedience. He calls us to a life of separateness, holiness. We are assured that He will never leave us or forsake us, but we can quench the Spirit of God living within us. We can stifle His efforts to guide and direct us through disobedience. Solomon's Temple was going to be a magnificent structure, but it would not be enough to satisfy God and keep Him living among the people of Israel. He required obedience to His laws, submission to His will, and devotion to His way. Solomon's Temple would end up being destroyed and the people sent into exile – all for their disobedience. Herod's Temple would end up being destroyed and the people left without a place to make their sacrifices for sin – and it remains to to this day. Obedience is what God desires. Willing, submissive, joyful obedience, because we know that He loves us and has our best in mind. Listen to the words of Peter: "Obey God because you are his children. Don't slip back into your old ways of doing evil; you didn't know any better then. But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God -- who chose you to be his children -- is holy. For he himself has said, ;You must be holy because I am holy.'" (1 Peter 1:14-16 NLT).

Father, You have placed Your Spirit within me and given me all that I need to live an obedient life. I have the power to do so, but I must choose to do it. I must desire to obey You. All my sacrifices and efforts at doing good things mean nothing if I am not going to listen to what You say and do what You call me to do. Thank You for the assurance that You will never leave me, but never let me forget that I can lose out on all that You want to do in my life just through disobedience. Amen





Going To Great Lengths For A Great God.

2 Chronicles 2

This will be a magnificent Temple because our God is an awesome God, greater than any other. ­– 2 Chronicles 2:5 NLT

Solomon was going to fulfill the dream of his father David and build a temple dedicated to the worship of God. And even though this was not Solomon's personal vision, he was not going to treat it as insignificant or give it a second-rate effort. This was going to be a huge undertaking for Solomon that would require the expenditure of a huge sum of money, the coordination of tens of thousands of workmen, the purchase and shipment of vast quantities of material from all over the Middle East, and countless hours of project oversight on the part of Solomon. And Solomon jumped in with both feet. He was as dedicated to this project as his father had been; applying all his God-given wisdom to accomplish the task at hand. Solomon knew that there was no way that he or anyone else could build a structure worthy of the God of the universe. "But who can really build him a worthy home? Not even the highest heavens can contain him! So who am I to consider building a Temple for him, except as a place to burn sacrifices to him?" (2 Chronicles 2:8 NLT). He knew that this building was really going to be a place for men to show their honor and respect to God by offering the sacrifices He had commanded them to make. But rather than take a utilitarian approach and build a simple structure, functional and basic; Solomon determined to build a building like no other in the known world at that time. He would spare no expense. Why? Because it would be a reflection of the greatness and glory of the God of Israel. Solomon told King Hiram, "the Temple I am going to build will be very large and magnificent" (2 Chronicles 2:9 NLT). Today, there would be those who would say, "What a waste of money! Couldn't you have taken all that gold, silver, and bronze and given it to the poor!" They would have bemoaned the fact that the Israelites were building a monument to their on glory, not God's. They would have complained about the expense involved, the waste of manpower, the extravagance of the furnishings, and the overall distraction the construction process had become to the kingdom. But Solomon had his focus on one thing – to honor God. Even the pagan king, Hiram understood what Solomon was doing. "It is because the LORD loves his people that he has made you their king! Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who made the heavens and the earth! He has given David a wise son, gifted with skill and understanding, who will build a Temple for the LORD and a royal palace for himself" (2 Chronicles 2:11-12 NLT).

Solomon was motivated by God's grandeur, not a desire to impress men. He was determined to honor God and make His name great. If anything, he wanted the other nations to know that His God was the greatest god – the only true God. And the way he chose to do that was by building a structure that was worthy of His greatness. Solomon knew that men could not see God Himself, but they would be able to see His dwelling place – the Temple. So he was going to make it large, impressive, and awe-inspiring. Because it would be a reflection of the character and nature of God. This makes me wonder how much thought, time, effort and energy we are willing to put into the things we do for God. Do we give half-effort or do just enough to get by or are we willing to do all that we do with a level of excellence that gives an indication of how much we think of our God. Let's move beyond buildings and think about the Sunday School lessons or Bible studies we prepare. Do we give them the time God deserves? Do they reflect our understanding of His greatness? Does the way we run our homes and manage our families reflect back on God in a positive way? Are we willing spare no expense and sacrifice great effort in whatever we do so that God gets the glory? Paul put it this way, "So eat your meals heartily, not worrying about what others say about you - you're eating to God's glory, after all, not to please them. As a matter of fact, do everything that way, heartily and freely to God's glory" (2 Corinthians 10:31 MSG). Do everything heartily and freely to God's glory. Do it with excellence. Give it your best effort. Think about Him when you do it. Make His name great. Honor Him at all times in all that you. Why? Because He deserves it.

Father, so much of what I do is not done well. It is not done with You in mind. I give half-hearted effort too often, just to get by and get it done. Give an attitude like Solomon had. Help me to understand Your greatness and in turn, have the desire to give You glory in all I do. Amen





Practical Wisdom.

1 Kings 5

When the ways of people please the LORD, he makes even their enemies live at peace with them. ­– Proverbs 16:7 NLT

Solomon wasn't all talk, no action. He didn't just spend all his time writing pithy proverbs and spouting quotable tidbits of truth like some oracle. No, he put his God-given wisdom to use in everyday life. And 1 Kings 5 gives us a glimpse of just what wisdom in practice looks like. Solomon is following through on his father's request that he build a dwelling place for God. David had come up with the idea, but God did not allow him to accomplish it. Instead, God had told David that his son, Solomon, would build the Temple. Now David is gone and Solomon is beginning the formidable task of building a house suitable for God.

A building project of this magnitude was going to require a great deal of materials, and much of it was not readily available in the land of Israel. So Solomon was going to have to deal with the surrounding nations in order to barter for the goods required to complete the Temple. One of the primary resources Solomon was going to need was lumber, and the greatest source of lumber in the region was from the forests of Lebanon. The only problem was that Lebanon was under the control of the pagan Phoenicians. So Solomon was required to do business with King Hiram of Tyre in order to get his hands on the wood he would need to complete the Temple. And here is where wisdom comes into play. Because Solomon had wisely sought God and lived according to His standards, God gave Solomon a peaceful relationship with his surrounding neighbors. Solomon had a good reputation with the pagan kings whose lands surrounded Israel. Solomon was living out the reality of the truth of the Proverbs he wrote.

• Good people are guided by their honesty (Proverbs 11:3 NLT).
• Commit your work to the LORD, and then your plans will succeed (Proverbs 16:3 NLT).
• When the ways of people please the LORD, he makes even their enemies live at peace with them (Proverbs 16:7 NLT).
• The LORD demands fairness in every business deal; he sets the standard (Proverbs 16:11 NLT).
• The godly walk with integrity (Proverbs 20:7 NLT).
• The king's heart is like a stream of water directed by the LORD; he turns it wherever he pleases (Proverbs 21:1 NLT).

Because Solomon lived wisely, God gave him a healthy relationship with a pagan king. And because Solomon lived wisely, he knew how to deal faithfully and with integrity with King Hiram. Solomon was going to deal wisely with Hiram. He would pay him well for the services he rendered. He would deal fairly in his business dealings with him. He would not take advantage of him, but pay him exactly what he deserved. Solomon would use wisdom to build God's house, and God would be pleased. Wisdom is practical, not ethereal. It is not some esoteric pursuit reserved for the mentally gifted or academic elite. It is a readily available resource available to any and all who seek it – as long as they seek it from the right source: God Himself.

When a person's ways please the Lord, even his enemies will be at peace with him. Those are not just empty words. They're a promise. And Solomon knew it first-hand.

Father, I want to enjoy the benefits of practical wisdom. I don't want just a bunch of head knowledge that sounds impressive when you quote it to others – like some kind of Yoda or guru. I want to take what you teach me and try it out in real life and see it work. The truth is, I've already seen Your wisdom work itself out in my life in so many beneficial ways. I just want to see it more. Give me the strength and determination to seek for Your wisdom and apply it to my everyday life. Amen





Words of Wisdom – Part II.

Proverbs 24

A wise man is mightier than a strong man, and a man of knowledge is more powerful than a strong man. ­– Proverbs 24:5 NLT

In chapter 24 we have the remainder of the 30 wise sayings from the pen of Solomon – and inspired by the Holy Spirit. These simple truths or maximsseem so logical and obvious that we may read and ignore them. But they are about far more than wealth and worldly wisdom, the wicked and the lazy. They give us a glimpse of the life of the righteous – those who live their lives according to God's standards. The wisdom Solomon speaks of is not of this world, but it dramatically impacts the quality of life on this world – for us and all those around us.

1. Don't be jealous of the ungodly and long to be like them. They may be attractive on the outside, but their hearts are bad.
2. The wisdom, good sense, and knowledge that come from God are the keys to having a home that is a joy to live in.
3. Physical strength has its limits, but wisdom doesn't. Which is why it's better to be increasing in wisdom. It's the key to success, even in battle.
4. Fools can't handle wise conversation. When they find themselves in the middle of it, they have nothing to say.
5. Anyone who spends all his time causing trouble will end up with a lousy reputation and no friends.  Their sinful lifestyles will cause them to be despised.
6. Desperate times have a way of revealing the strength of our resolve. Be ready to help those who are suffering injustice and don't say, "I didn't know!" God is watching and He knows the truth.
7. You know how good honey tastes when you eat it? That's the way wisdom is. Great tasting, but good for you too. And its benefits last a whole lot longer.
8. Don't ever try to take advantage of or harm the righteous. You may succeed, but they will bounce back time after time. While they survive, you'll ultimately fail.
9. Don't get all excited when bad things happen to those you don't like. God is watching and may just decide to show them mercy instead.
10. Don't get all bent out of shape over what appears to be the success of those who don't know or love God. Their blessings is short-term. Yours are eternal.
11. Have a healthy fear and respect for those in authority, including God. Don't throw in your lot with those prone to plot rebellion. God will use those He has placed in authority to punish the rebellious.
12. It's very dangerous to judge falsely – to excuse the actions of those who do wrong. Show justice to all without partiality and it will go well with you.

Father, these wise saying are great, but help me to live them out in my daily life. Help me to make them a part of who I am. May I listen to the promptings of Your Holy Spirit throughout each day and respond obediently. Bring these wise words to mind as I encounter various situations and circumstances, and help me to obey them. Amen





Words of Wisdom – Part I.

Proverbs 22-23

I am teaching you today -- yes, you -- so you will trust in the LORD. 20 I have written thirty sayings for you, filled with advice and knowledge. ­– Proverbs 22:19-20 NLT

In chapters 22-24 we are given a series of wise saying – 30 of them to be exact. These are short, memorable, and highly practical truths that are timeless and priceless. They could make great teaching material for middle school or high school age kids, but they also apply to those of us in the upper age brackets. Following the wisdom in these sayings will not make you a righteous person, but they should reflect the behavior of someone who is a child of God. They are the characteristics of Christ-likeness. In fact, the only way you can successfully follow the advice in these 30 sayings is with the help of the indwelling Holy Spirit. A quick review of what they have to say may be a great indicator of just how much we are under the Spirit's control. Check out the first few of these timeless truths from chapters 22-23.

1. Don't take advantage of the helpless or exploit those who can't defend themselves.
2. If you hang around with angry people, you'll end up becoming just like them.
3. Don't put yourself at risk by co-signing on a loan for someone else. Your guarantee could come back to bite you.
4. Don't use deception to try and get an advantage.
5. Follow the example of those who work hard and well. They'll be in high demand from the best employers.
6. When you have dinner with a person of power and influence, don't talk too much, eat too much, or show yourself to have no restraint.
7. Don't spend all your time, energy, and resources trying to get rich. Wealth doesn't last and it can't deliver.
8. Learn to recognize the motives of the stingy host who shows you hospitality, but doesn't mean it.
9. Don't waste your time trying to get a fool to understand, he'll only laugh at your words.
10. Don't try to steal someone's inheritance or means of livelihood from someone who's lost their dad, because God is their protector.
11. Learn to love godly instruction and to listen to knowledge that comes from experience.
12. Don't be afraid to spank your kids. It won't kill, but in reality, may save their life in the long run.
13. A wise child makes a parent happy. A child who speaks truth makes the hearts of his parents glad.
14. Instead of being jealous of what sinners have, be zealous in your awe and fear of God. That's where your true hope is.
15. Don't hang around with those who can't control their appetites, physically or sexually. All their wanting will leave them wanting.
16. Respect your parents and listen to them. Do you want to make them proud of you? Then spend all your resources to acquire truth, wisdom, instruction and insight.
17. Stay away from a promiscuous woman or an unfaithful wife. Both seem to offer a lot, but will only lead to disappointment and disaster.
18. Anyone who can't control their alcohol will end up suffering emotionally, physically and psychologically. The alcohol that started out as so appealing will leave them staggering, hallucinating, numb, forgetful, and addicted.

Father, some of these are really easy for me. But others are hard. Some I have had to learn the hard way – because of my stubbornness and hardheadedness. They all make so much sense, yet we seem to struggle with obeying them. Make these more than just sayings. Allow them to become characteristics of my life. May I live out the truths they portray each day of my life. Amen





Let Justice Reign and Rain.

Proverbs 21

The LORD is more pleased when we do what is just and right than when we give him sacrifices. ­– Proverbs 21:3 NLT

This verse jumped out at me this morning. It fit in with a lot I had been reading the last few days. And it ended up convicting me of an area of weakness in my life. That of doing the just and right thing. Don't get me wrong. I try to live my life according to God's will and in step with His Word, but this verse has to do with my relationship with those who are suffering – those who are weak and defenseless. All throughout the Bible God talks about His care for widows and orphans, two of the most abused and neglected people groups during both the Old and New Testament periods. Listen to what He says, "The LORD your God is the God of gods and Lord of lords. He is the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and takes no bribes. He gives justice to orphans and widows. He shows love to the foreigners living among you and gives them food and clothing. You, too, must show love to foreigners, for you yourselves were once foreigners in the land of Egypt" (Deuteronomy 10:17-19 NLT). Psalm 68:5 says God is a "Father to the fatherless, defender of widows." He cares for those who can't care for themselves. There is something about God's character as a just and righteous sovereign that drives Him to stand up for those who cannot stand up for themselves. He cannot and will not tolerate the mistreatment of the defenseless, the poor, the downtrodden, the powerless and the weak. And He expects us to do the same thing. This is where I think I am weak. Do I really care for those around me who can't take care of themselves? Do I have a heart of compassion for those who find themselves in a tough spot, unable to meet their own needs or dig themselves out of the hole in which they find themselves. The truth is, I can find myself judging them and rationalizing that they are where they are because they deserve it. I end up judging them unjustly. I don't know their story, but I draw conclusions anyway.

In this verse in Proverbs the writer uses a word that is translated "justice." It is the Hebrew word tsĕdaqah. As is true with most Hebrew words, its meaning is far greater and deeper than one English word can convey. We tend to think of justice as a response or punishment to some negative action. We want justice to be done. But in the Hebrew it can also mean righteousness or charity. In his book, The Gospel According to Jesus, Chris Seay puts it this way, "Justice – righteousness – is about putting yourself and the societal values to one side and trying hard to live in the God values that the prophets and Jesus have revealed, about the healing of the world."  He goes on to say, "God wants us to be righteous – which means God wants us to be holy, healing, gathering, defending, and rescuing." God wants us to do what is right and just – in regards to those around us. In fact, God prefers that over our sacrifices. Which might include our quiet times, prayers, and other Christian activities. It is not that those things are wrong or shouldn't be done. But if we go through the religious motions and leave out showing justice to those in need, it becomes empty. James said it well. "Pure and lasting religion in the sight of God our Father means that we must care for orphans and widows in their troubles, and refuse to let the world corrupt us" (James 1:27 NLT). Justice and righteousness. They go hand in hand. You can't have one without the other.

Solomon goes on to warn us, "Those who shut their ears to the cries of the poor will be ignored in their own time of need" (Proverbs 21:13 NLT). But he also encourages us, "Justice is a joy to the godly" (Proverbs 21:15 NLT). We should love doing the right thing. We should find joy in helping the helpless and giving hope to the hopeless. Because that is the heart of God Himself.

Father, give me a heart for the hopeless and helpless. Forgive me for all the times I have ignored them and walked right by them, unaware that they were even there. They are everywhere in our society. They are preyed upon, taking advantage of, abused, and neglected. And You have called us as Your people to express Your love and compassion to them. We are to care for them. Show me how. Open my eyes. Let Your justice reign through me and rain down all around me. Amen





Protect Yourself With Love.

Proverbs 19-20

Unfailing love and faithfulness protect the king; his throne is made secure through love. ­– Proverbs 20:28 NLT

As you read through the Proverbs, most of them seem pretty logical and make perfect common sense. For instance, if you don't work, you don't eat. If you lie, it's going to catch up to you. If you're rich, you've got more friends than you know what to do with. If you're poor, friends are few and far between. If you live with a nagging wife, it's like listening to the constant drip of a faucet you can't stop – ultimately, it will drive you crazy. These are like maxims or truisms that when you read them, you find yourself nodding your head in agreement. But then occasionally you'll stumble across one that seems more like a riddle than a proverb. It seems to make no sense. It's meaning either escapes you or it appears illogical. It goes against common sense. In fact, it seems to make no sense at all. Proverbs 20:28 falls into that category for me. Right in the middle of all the talk of fools, sluggards, unfaithful friends, liars, swindlers, and mockers there appears this surprising bit of advice for kings. Now you have to understand that the king audience did not represent a large market segment for Solomon. Among the people of Israel there were no other kings. So he is writing this to his son – the king to be. In fact, most of what we are reading as we work our way through the Proverbs was written for Solomon's son. Over and over again, he says, "My son, listen when your father corrects you," "My son, if sinners entice you, turn your back on them," "My son, listen to what I say, and treasure my commands."  So this note about kings was written for one person and one person only – Solomon's son – the heir to the throne of Israel. And he gives his young son some really interesting advice. "Unfailing love and faithfulness protect the king; his throne is made secure through love."

Love and faithfulness? Really? Are you telling me that if a king wants to keep his throne secure, all it takes is love? That sounds so naive, so simplistic and out of touch with reality. What about strong armies, alliances, impenetrable walls, the latest advances in military technology, offensive strategies and spy networks? Can you imagine the President of the United States giving this advice to his successor? But what is Solomon trying to say? What's his point? That a king who loves his people will be loved in return. A king who provides protection for his people because he loves them will be a lot less likely to face a coup or potential takeover of his government. As I write this blog, things in Egypt are heating up. Riots are taking place in the streets of Cairo. The people are demanding the resignation of their president, Hosni Mubarak. According to a recent New York Times article, conditions under President Mubarek's 30-year rule have been less than loving. "The police are brutal. Elections are rigged. Corruption is rampant. Life gets harder for the masses as the rich grow richer and the poor grow poorer. Even as Egypt’s economy enjoyed record growth in recent years, the number of people living in poverty actually grew."

Mr. Mubarek could have learned from Solomon's advice. If he had loved his people, he would have made sure that they were well-fed, well-cared-for, and protected. His love would have been practical and measurable. People know when they are being used and will not tolerate being abused. At least not for long. But Solomon's advice is not just for kings and presidents. It applies to parents, employers, supervisors, teachers, pastors and elders. In fact, Paul shared similar advice to his fellow elders, "…this is my appeal to you: Care for the flock of God entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly -- not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. Don't lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your good example" (1 Peter 5:1-3 NLT). God had a stern warning for the religious leadership in Ezekiel's day. "Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds, the leaders of Israel. Give them this message from the Sovereign LORD: Destruction is certain for you shepherds who feed yourselves instead of your flocks. Shouldn't shepherds feed their sheep? You drink the milk, wear the wool, and butcher the best animals, but you let your flocks starve. You have not taken care of the weak. You have not tended the sick or bound up the broken bones. You have not gone looking for those who have wandered away and are lost. Instead, you have ruled them with force and cruelty. So my sheep have been scattered without a shepherd. They are easy prey for any wild animal. They have wandered through the mountains and hills, across the face of the earth, yet no one has gone to search for them" (Ezekiel 34:2-6 NLT). Paul warns fathers, "Don't make your children angry by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction approved by the Lord" (Ephesians 6:4 NLT).

Love really is the best protection against rebellion. Weapons, walls, power and might are no match for unfailing love and faithfulness. Our children will excuse and overlook a lot of our shortcomings as parents when they know we love them. They will tolerate our inconsistencies and inadequacies as long as they feel like we are doing the best we can – out of love for them. Demanding compliance, defending our rights as parents, shouting "Because I said so," and expecting our kids to keep in step with our wishes, while failing to show them love is a recipe for rebellion. Remember the words of Paul? "Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. Love does not demand its own way. Love is not irritable, and it keeps no record of when it has been wronged. It is never glad about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. Love will last forever" (1 Corinthians 13:4-8 NLT). That kind of love is the best protection we can provide ourselves against rejection and rebellion. No, it's not a guarantee. Because even Jesus ended up being rejected when He showed us how much He loved us by dying on the cross. But love is still the best defense. In fact, I wonder what things would be like in Egypt had President Mubarek taken the advice of Solomon. I wonder what our homes, businesses, churches and marriages would be like if we did the same thing.

Father, what a timely reminder of the power of love. It is the best offense and the best defense. Love really is the answer to all of life's problems. But not the sentimental, sappy kind of love we see portrayed in movies and on Hallmark cards. We're talking the selfless, sacrificial, lay-it-all-on-the-line kind of love that You showed toward us on Calvary. Your Son gave His life out of love for us. He loved us selflessly and sacrificially. He gave, expecting nothing in return. May we learn to love one another that way. Amen





A Word to the Wise and the Not-So-Wise.

Proverbs 17-18

"he name of the LORD is a strong fortress; the godly run to him and are safe. The rich think of their wealth as an impregnable defense; they imagine it is a high wall of safety. ­– Proverbs 18:10-11 NLT

These two chapters address the fool, those who take bribes, evildoers, gossips, mockers, parents, children, the unfriendly, quarrelers, the wicked, the wealthy, the discerning, the lazy, the eloquent, the talkative, the prudent, and, of course, the wise. It is a gallery hung with the portraits of a wide range of characters. Some are flattering. Some are not. But all are extremely life-like. In fact, as you read these two chapters, images of someone you know probably come into your mind. You may even see a reflection of your own face. Or that of a child or loved one. These are realistic portrayals of real life. But even as Solomon paints the portraits of the wise and the foolish, the righteous and the unrighteous, he is contrasting two ways of life. This has little to do with wealth and poverty, power and weakness, intelligence and stupidity. It has to do with godliness and a fear of the Lord. This is all about living a God-centered, God-focused life where His will and His way are primary. What makes someone wise is not their position in life or the number of degrees on their wall. It is their relationship with the living God. It is whether they are willing to live in submission to and dependence on the God of the universe.

Wisdom is not related to the well-educated or wealthy. It is just as easily accessible to the poor. God's wisdom is non-discriminatory – available to all who will seek it from the hand of the one who offers it – God Himself. But so much of what Solomon has to say is in regards to what happens when we refuse to turn to God for wisdom, help, direction, provision, protection, insight and, ultimately, salvation. We turn to our wealth. We rely on our own resources. And we end up becoming gossips, quarrelers, revengeful, mockers, spiritually lazy, and moral paupers. We act like fools and we find ourselves raising fools. We end up surrounded by fools. All because we refuse to submit ourselves to God. Rather than turn to God, we seek for comfort, wisdom, help, and happiness elsewhere. We live as if there is no God or we attempt to make our own gods. We find substitutes for God. And we end up as fools. Solomon puts it so simply, yet profoundly is verses 10-11 of chapter 18: "The name of the LORD is a strong fortress; the godly run to him and are safe. The rich think of their wealth as an impregnable defense; they imagine it is a high wall of safety." The godly learn to trust in God and in Him only. They discover that He alone is reliable. He alone delivers what He promises. The wealthy, just like the poor and the middle class, turn to something else. The rich just happen to have more to turn to. They have more resources and so are more tempted to lean on their abundance for sustenance. But the poor can end up finding substitutes for God just as easily. Whether it's the comfort and security of a welfare state, the tantalizing hope of a lottery prize, or the mind-numbing pleasure of a television set, those who have little have a lot of choices for stand-ins for God. It's not that any of these things are inherently evil or wrong, it's just that they were never to act as replacements for God. They can't measure up. They can't deliver. They always disappoint. But because mankind can't seem to keep from turning to anything and everything but God, we see a growing gallery of portraits featuring foolish, angry, argumentative, self-focused, addictive, lazy, quarrelsome, naive, and unhappy individuals. Yet, there is a room filled with those who have learned to turn to God. Their portraits feature faces filled with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, and a surprising sense of calmness and contentment, in spite of all that is going on around them.

Where do you run in times of trouble? Where do you turn when times are tough? What are the God-substitutes in your life? The godly run to one place and one place only for safety and security – God Himself. Is He your strong fortress today?

Father, forgive me for all the God-substitutes I have had in my life over the years. They never deliver, but I keep turning to them. They always disappoint, but they continue to sucker me into believing it will be different this time. You have never let me down. You have never failed to deliver on a single one of Your promises. May I grow increasingly more dependent on You. Amen