Bible Pathways 05/23/2002

May 23

In Today's Reading:

Fire consumes Solomon's sacrifices; glory of the Lord fills the Temple; God appears a second time to Solomon; Solomon's activities; Queen of Sheba visits Solomon; Solomon's riches and fame; his death.

Verse for Today:

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 (2 Chronicles 7:1).

After the great dedication of the Temple, 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, [who] 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 (2 Chronicles 7:13-14). Carefully consider the qualifications for God to heal their land. First, He is speaking of My people. This points out our need to receive Christ as Savior and Lord and live according to His Word to qualify.

Then, to humble ourselves means, among other things, a confession of our sin of neglecting His Word, as if we could use our own "good" judgment and did not need His advice. He alone can forgive all sin to all who desire that He be Lord of their lives.

To Seek My face, is to read all His Word, for God cannot be separated from His Word and in it we discover how we are to live and what He expects us to do. As we seek His face, the Holy Spirit not only enlightens our understanding of His will, but He empowers us to live it. God has warned that, when we ignore His Word, even [our] prayer shall be (an) abomination (Proverbs 28:9). God desires to answer prayer, but He will not answer the prayers of those who proudly assume they can ignore what He has written.

However, regardless of the past, there is still an opportunity for restoration for all who will humble themselves, and turn from their self-centered determination to do what pleases self. We need to ask ourselves: "Will what I'm seeking in prayer bring honor to my Heavenly Father or merely satisfy my desires?"

If the Lord is to have His way in our lives, we must first realize our great need to prayerfully read all of His Word which, in turn, will make it possible that His Words abide in you (John 15:7). In contrast are many who proudly compliment themselves on their abilities to achieve their goals and believe there is no need to waste time reading the Bible. Daily being in God's Word enables His wisdom to be imparted to us to avoid self-deception. But, without a knowledge of the Word of God and the empowering of the Holy Spirit, we are no match for Satan. He fanatically seeks to discourage, deceive, defeat, and destroy our effectiveness to accomplish the will of God. Be vigilant; because your adversary the devil . . . walketh about, seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8).

Christ Revealed:

Through the glory of Solomon's kingdom (2 Chronicles 9:1-28). Even though Solomon had a rich and glorious kingdom, it cannot begin to compare to Christ's coming kingdom (Revelation 22:1-5).

Word Studies:

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

Prayer Needs:

Pray for one another · Country: France (59 million) in western Europe · Major language: French · Religious freedom · 74% Roman Catholic; 5% Muslim; 2% Protestant; 1% Jewish · Prayer Suggestion: Praise the Lord for His faithfulness and mercy (Lamentations 3:22-23).

Optional Reading: 1 Corinthians 10

Memory Verse for the Week: Ephesians 6:17