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Bible Pathways - May 23, 2007

 

05232007

2 Chronicles 7 

In Today's Scripture Reading:

Solomon's sacrifices; glory of the Lord; God appears to Solomon; Queen of Sheba visits Solomon; his riches and fame; his death

When Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the Lord filled the House (II Chronicles 7:1).

After that great dedication, the Lord again appeared to Solomon by night, saying: If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among My people; If My people, which are called by My Name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land (7:13-14).

Carefully consider the qualifications for God to heal their land. First, He is speaking of My people. This implies our need to receive Christ according to His Word. Then, to humble ourselves means, first and foremost, a confession of our sin of neglecting His Word, as if we could live by our own good judgment and do not need His advice. To humble one's self also includes acknowledgment of all sin, a sorrow for sin, and genuine repentance of sin. God alone can, and does, forgive and cleanse us from all confessed sin (I John 1:9).

When God says: Seek My face, He means for us daily to seek Him in His Word that we may know what life is all about. As we read His Word, the Holy Spirit not only enlightens our understanding of how to know His will, but He empowers us to live it. God has warned: He that turneth away his ear from hearing the Law, even his prayer shall be abomination (Proverbs 28:9).

We need to consider and ask ourselves: "Will what I'm seeking in prayer bring honor to the Father or merely benefit me?

Our great need is to prayerfully read all of His Word. Jesus said: If a man abide not in Me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you (John 15:6-7).

Christ Revealed:

Through the glory of Solomon's kingdom (II Chronicles 9:1-28). Even though Solomon had a rich and glorious kingdom, it cannot begin to compare to Christ's coming kingdom. The throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it (Revelation 22:1-5).

Word Studies:

7:11 prosperously effected =uccessfully accomplished; 8:5 nether =b> lower; 8:16 perfected =b> completed; 9:1 prove =b> test; 9:14 chapmen =b> merchant traders; 9:15 targets =b> large shields; 9:18 stays =b> armrests; 9:24 harness =b> armor; 9:26 the river =b> the Euphrates River.

Prayer Needs:

Pray for The Arabic International Shortwave Radio Broadcast sponsored by Mrs. Rosemary Styles; The English International Shortwave Radio Broadcast sponsored by Arlene Reynolds and in memory of Allen Abel Country: South Korea (46.9 million) in northeastern Asia Major languages: Korean and English Religious freedom 48% Christian; 40% Buddhist; 3% Confucian; 9% Shamanism; Chodogyo, Other Prayer Suggestion: Pray that the Lord will enable you to comfort and encourage others (II Corinthians 1:3-4).

Optional Reading: I Corinthians 10

Memory Verse for the Week: Psalms 18:3



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