Read I Kings 8
In Today's Reading:
Glory of the Lord filling the temple; ark brought into the temple; Solomon's sermon, prayer, and dedication
The day had arrived for the dedication of the glorious temple on Mount Moriah in Jerusalem. Solomon assembled . . . at Jerusalem the elders of Israel . . . in order to bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD from the city of David, that is, Zion. . . .The priests brought the ark of the covenant of the LORD to its place . . . the holy of holies (I Kings 8:1,6). The ark is where the presence of God dwelt above the mercy seat. Now nothing was in the ark except the two stone tablets that Moses had deposited there at Horeb. . . . When the priests came out of the holy place . . . the glory of the LORD filled the LORD's temple (8:9-11).
The people stood in the courtyard and worshiped the Lord at the dedication of the temple.
Solomon offered a sacrifice . . . to the LORD: 22,000 cattle and 120,000 sheep. Thus the king and all the Israelites dedicated the LORD's temple (8:63). The word "sacrifice" does not mean "a great loss." A sacrifice to the Lord is never to be a deprivation, but is to be a gift of something dedicated to the Lord. However, sacrifices are an abomination if they don't represent an expression of our true inner devotion to the Lord.
Solomon prayed the longest recorded prayer in the Bible and stressed to the Israelites the faithfulness of God, who keeps the covenant and mercy to Your servants, who walk before You with their whole heart (I Kings 8:22-23).
The Israelites were chosen to let the world know there is only one true God. Solomon prayed: that all the peoples of the earth may know Your name, to fear You as Your people Israel do. . . . Then he . . . blessed . . . Israel . . . saying . . . that He may incline our hearts to Him to walk in all His ways and to keep His commands. . . . so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the LORD is God; there is no other! (8:43,55-58,60). Buddha, Allah, and all other "gods" are false gods.
The one true God includes all three persons of the Trinity: God the Father, Jesus, who is God the son, and God the Holy Spirit. A Christian's daily conversation and conduct should express our love and loyalty to the only one true God. For there is one God and one mediator between God and man, a man, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all (I Timothy 2:5-6).
Christ Revealed:
As the perfect Temple of God before whom all kings of the earth one day must bow (I Kings 8:54; John 2:19-21). For this reason God . . . highly exalted Him and gave Him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow (Philippians 2:9-10).
Prayer Needs:
Government Officials: Gov. Argeo Cellucci (MA), Gov. Jim Geringer (WY), and Rep. Jack Kingston (GA) · Country: Argentina (37 million) in southern South America · Major languages: Spanish and English · Religious freedom · 87% Roman Catholic; 6% Protestant; 1% Muslim; 1% Jewish · Prayer Suggestion: Amidst uncertainty, seek the guidance of God (Isaiah 42:16).
Optional Reading: Acts 25
Memory Verse for the Week: Psalms 119:165