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Bible Pathways - May 22, 2008

 

May 22

2 Chronicles 4

Highlights In Today's Reading:

Chapter 4 describes the altar and lavish golden furnishings. Then the House of the Lord is finished. Picture the scene in 5:11-14! No one can stand in the presence of the glory of the Lord.

Much time and effort were given in preparation for the dedication of the Temple which had taken about 7-1/2 years to build (I Kings 6:37-38). The Ark reached its intended resting place within the Holy of Holies. Perhaps no event has ever equaled this momentous occasion. Preceded by his royal guard the king led the way to the Temple's great court (II Chronicles 4:9). As they went up the hill, they sang: Now therefore arise, O Lord God, into Thy resting place, Thou, and the Ark of Thy strength: let Thy priests, O Lord God, be clothed with salvation, and let Thy saints rejoice in goodness (6:41).

This awe-inspiring Ark contained the original Commandments from Moses. These were to be a constant reminder of God's Covenant with Israel and to make them a holy nation.

In the first four of the Ten Commandments we have commands regarding man's relationship to God. All ten were summarized by our Lord in two: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind, and thy neighbour as thyself (Luke 10:27). We can not meet such demands without the new birth (John 3:3,5) and the indwelling Holy Spirit. The Law in its perfection exposes man's sinfulness before God.

The Law has done its holy work when it has taught the solemn heart-searching truth that points the way to Christ. In me, (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing (Romans 7:18). As soon as a person is born of God he possesses the indwelling life of God and, as he meditates daily upon His Word (II Timothy 2:15; 3:16-17), be assured that the Lord will impart the knowledge of His will. The life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me (Galatians 2:20). Jesus promised: The Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost (Spirit), whom the Father will send in My Name, He shall teach you all things (John 14:26). We have the mind of Christ (I Corinthians 2:16). When one receives the life of Christ and submits himself to the Law of the Spirit of Life, then one's behavior will be an ever-increasing manifestation of Christ.

For what the Law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: that the rightousness of the Law (the righteous requirements of the law) might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit (Romans 8:3-4).

Thought for Today:

We have a great privilege to live under the grace of God, but grace does not mean we have a license to sin.

Christ Revealed:

Through Solomon's prayer to God (II Chronicles 6:14). Jesus is God: For there is One God, and One Mediator (Arbitrator, Negotiator) between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus (I Timothy 2:5).

Word Studies:

4:2: sea =b> large basin; 4:22 censers =b> incense burners; 6:10 room =b> position; 6:24 be put to the worse =b> are defeated; 6:28 dearth =b> famine; blasting =b> blight; sore =b> plague; 6:40 attent =b> attentive.

Prayer Needs:

Pray for International Shortwave Broadcasts in memory of Letter Writing Prison Ministry • Staff: Clarence Rathbone • Government Officials: Rep. Richard Baker (LA), Rep. Kenny Hulshof (MO), Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA), Sen. Lisa Murkowski (AK), and Rep. John Sarbanes (MD) • Country: Philippines (76 million) in Southeast Asia • Major languages: Filipino and English • Religious persecution in some areas • 80% Catholic; 9% Protestant; 8% Muslim (mostly Sunni); 3% Other (Buddhist, Animist, non-Religous) • Prayer Suggestion: Realize that prayer is one of the ways God uses to strengthen you in the power of His might (Eph. 6:18).

Optional Reading: I Corinthians 9

Memory Verse for the Week: I Peter 1:19



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