DAY 142 Read 1 Kings 8.
Today's reading: The great temple is finished, and the Israelites gather in Jerusalem for the dedication. Solomon's prayer even now lifts us to heights of devotion to our merciful heavenly Father.
Memory gem: "Then hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place, and forgive, and do, and give to every man according to his ways, whose heart thou knowest" (1 Kings 8:39).
Thought for today:
In the ancient temple of Solomon, only when the lamb was slain was the sacrifice fully accepted. And so every believer believes not only in Christ, but in "Christ crucified." (1 Corinthians 1:23).
The temple of Solomon was more than a building. It was a parable--a great marble book of atoning love. It revealed God to man. As Jesus said (see Mark 11:17), it was a house of prayer for all nations. It is true that many had forgotten its real meaning, but some remembered it.
When at last its true meaning was almost completely forgotten, then it was destroyed, never to be rebuilt. Jesus said that one stone would not be left upon another, that all would be cast down (see Matthew 24:2), and that is the way it is today.
The great platform on top of Mount Moriah, which was smoothed off by King Solomon, is still there. This platform, covering about forty-two acres, is one of the most interesting spots to visit in ancient Jerusalem today. The corners, built up to level by King Solomon and later by King Herod, are still a wonder of mighty masonry. The southwest corner wall to this day is called the Wailing Wall, where many for centuries have gone to weep and to pray that the temple might be rebuilt. But of the temple itself, not one stone remains upon another. The prophecy of Christ was fulfilled completely.
Those who forget the blood atonement forfeited their prosperity. And it is the same today. Men may uphold Jesus as a great man, a world teacher, a wise philosopher, but that is not enough. He is the Redeemer of the world. He came to die. If we forget the cross, we have really forgotten Him.
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