April 24
Read I Kings 8
In Today's Reading:
Ark brought into the Temple; glory of the Lord fills the Temple; Solomon's sermon, prayer, and dedication
The day had arrived for the dedication of the glorious Temple in Jerusalem. Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel . . . in Jerusalem, that they might bring up the Ark of the Covenant of the LORD out of the city of David, which is Zion. . . . the priests brought in the Ark of the Covenant of the LORD . . . into . . . the Most Holy Place (I Kings 8:1,6). The Ark is where the presence of God dwelt above the Mercy Seat. There was nothing in the Ark save the two tables of stone, which Moses put there at Horeb. . . And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the Holy Place . . the glory of the LORD . . . filled the House of the LORD (8:9-11). The people stood in the courtyard and worshiped the Lord at the dedication of His Temple.
Solomon offered a sacrifice . . . to the LORD, two and twenty thousand oxen, and a hundred and twenty thousand sheep. So the king and all the children of Israel dedicated the House of the LORD (8:63). The word "sacrifice" does not mean "a great loss" for it is a gift dedicated to the Lord. However, sacrifices are an abomination if they don't represent an expression of our true inner devotion to the Lord. Every man according as he purposed in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity (under compulsion); for God loves a cheerful giver (II Corinthians 9:7).
Solomon prayed the longest recorded prayer in the Bible as he praised God for His faithfulness as the One who keeps covenant and mercy with Your servants that walk before You with all their 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 people of the earth may know Your Name, to fear You, as do Your people Israel. Then he . . . blessed . . . Israel . . . saying. . . . The LORD our God be with us . . . That He may incline (turn) our hearts to Him, to walk in all His ways, and to keep His Commandments. . . . That all the people of the earth may know that the LORD is God, and that there is none else (8:43,55,57-58,60). Buddha, Allah, and all other "gods" are false gods for only One God is the The Creator of all things. For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him (Colossians 1:16).
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 love and loyalty to the One True God, for there is one God, and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus (I Timothy 2:5-6).
Word Studies:
8:2 Ethanim (later called Tishri) = September/October; 8:37 blasting = blight; 8:47 bethink themselves = learn their lesson and change their minds.
Christ Revealed:
As the perfect Temple of God before whom all kings of the earth one day must bow (I Kings 8:54). God also has highly exalted Him, and given Him a Name which is above every name: That at the Name of Jesus every knee should bow (Philippians 2:9-10).
Prayer Needs:
Pray for Government Official: Rep. Jack Kingston (GA) · Country: Tibet (population unknown) (province of China) in eastern Asia · Major language: Tibetan · The Chinese government is still committed to promoting atheism, while at the same time, officially permitting Lamaism (a form of Buddhism) · No religious statistics are available, but at one time all were Lamaists · Lamaism was all but exterminated by Chinese invaders in the 1950s, but it is now permitted under strict control · Prayer Suggestion: Confess wrongs you have committed to the Lord and to those whom you have hurt; ask for forgiveness (Matthew 5:23-24).
Optional Reading: Acts 25
Memory Verse for the Week: I Thessalonians 5:18
