2 Chron 6:28-31 When disasters strike, famine or catastrophe, crop failure or disease---calamity of any sort—any prayer that's prayed from anyone at all among your people, with hearts penetrated by disaster, hands and arms thrown out for help to the Temple, will be heard. "Listen from your home in heaven, forgive and reward us: Reward each life and circumstance, for you know each life from the inside." Verse 35 says that HE will do what is right for each of us. God is changing my definition of "right."
2 Chron 7:14 If you respond by humbling yourself, praying, seeking My presence, and turning your back on your wicked life, I'll be there ready for you: I'll listen from heaven and forgive your sin...if I ever have a question about what to do in life, come back to this verse. Life is all about His Presence not accomplishments.
2 Chron 8:1 At the end of twenty years, Solomon had quite a list of accomplishments. The bible says that Solomon built The Temple of
God, built his own palace; rebuilt cities, colonized them, marched on enemies, fortified deserts and store-cities, built chariots, while acticing impulisvely and extravagantly. At the end of every day, every project, it's ingrained in me to ask: "What did I accomplish today?" I wonder why that's consistently my evaluation? Wonder why I don't ask if God was pleased? Will I live this day to accomplish my tasks or for His Pleasure. Rev. 4:11 - Only YOU are worthy, O God, in calamity or calm, to receive Glory, and Honor, and Power, for You have created us for Your Pleasure.
Good Wednesday Morning Friends,
ReplyDeleteIn Chapter 6, in the NIV, the word PROMISE is used 8 times; and 7 of those are found in the first 16 verses. As I study the word of God, and learn about his promises to us, His Children, I am comforted in the truth His promises bring us each day.
Throughout the Word:
God has promised to supply every need we have.
God has promised that His grace is sufficient for us.
God has promised that His children will not be overtaken with temptation.
God has promised us victory over death.
God has promised that all things work together for good to those who love and serve Him faithfully.
God has promised that those who believe in Jesus for the forgiveness of sins will be saved.
God has promised His people eternal life.
I hope these promises bring you peace today.
-Kim
Thanks, Kim for promises we can stand on, as the old hymn goes. These verses testify to that truth.
ReplyDelete6:10 - "And now you see the promise completed. God has done what he said he would do;"
Such a powerful prayer Solomon prays in 6:14-21. He recounts God's faithfulness, then asks Him to keep it up! Again believing God will continue to do what He had promised to reside in the Temple, to protect Israel and preserve its throne.
Applying that prayer to my life, "Can it be that God will actually move into our neighborhood? Why, the cosmos itself isn't large enough to give you breathing room, let alone this Temple I've built. Even so, I'm bold to ask"
Bev, me too, "right" rarely looks like I think it should, but God, in His sovereignty knows better. If I think about it a while, I am glad God's right looks so different than mine. It causes me less confidence in my own ways and more turning to Him.
Just one more thing--these verses were so full for me. How about starting to worship for 7 days and it lasting two, and then leave rejoicing, still worshipping. We get upset when the sermon goes over and we can't get to lunch. Time to rethink that...
Praying for God's blessing on the reading and our responding to His Word this morning!
Accomplishments, projects, tasks - somehow I end up thinking I've done something for God...with His help, of course. I need to start with Him. Eric Liddell felt God's pleasure when he ran. His relationship with his God was the main focus. Brother Lawrence "practiced the presence of God" over the kitchen sink. God wants my heart.
ReplyDeleteOur reading today shows us what kind of heart He's looking for. Nothing brings Him more glory, more pleasure, than my brokenness. Isaiah 66:2b says: "But on this one I will look: On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at My word."
I love those times when I feel His pleasure. Those times when I remember that He's done it all. No more performance based acceptance. His Life has given me meaning, significance and purpose. Not my good works. He tells me to receive it, then reflect it...running, washing dishes, in the midst of layoffs and reduced salaries. He didn't say it would be easy!
Thanks, Kim, for those Precious Promises!
And thank all of you for the insights God is giving you.
Blessings,
FG
God dwelling in a cloud...do you ever look up and see a hole in the clouds and just wonder if He has slipped down to us? Or wish you could fly up to that open hole into heaven? I just imagine the neatest things when I watch the clouds! One day...we will be caught up to be with Him!!!
ReplyDeleteThis touched my heart as I read all the verses in today's reading:
"Then he knelt in full view of the whole congregation, stretched his hands to heaven, and prayed:"
How beautiful that is to me. I can imagine how fine Solomon must have been dressed for this occasion. And I truly believe he was a very handsome man. What a sight for this congregation to watch their king humbly bow down facing them and pray.
I am always humbled by this kind of solemn submission. Beth Moore touches my heart when I watch her at the events kneel and bow low to pray to her God. And to my God.
Some leaders...well, they would die before they would do this.
Our God is the One and Only, deserving of praise and honor and humble worship.
I'll be honest with y'all. When a church family feels the Spirit and lifts their hands...my heart usually feels more of a call to fall on my knees. The Spirit just moves me to that position...at least in my heart. I think I would have been in tears at this holy event of worship by King Solomon.
I bow to my God. He is so worthy.
May we all feel Him and His majesty this week.
Kim, Loved this post about promises. HE is so faithful to us! I wept and wept today when I read Luke 22: 39,40 about praying not to enter temptation as I sit in the middle of a mini-crisis over here. And then I read your words that HE promises I won't be overtaken with temptation. So inviting into His arms of forgiveness. Thankyouthankyouthankyou for writing about His precious promises!
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