DAY 143 Read 2 Chronicles 6 and 7.
Today's reading: We trace essentially the same events as the previous reading in 1 Kings. Imagine the awe inspired by the overpowering visible glory of God as He accepted the temple dedicated to Him.
Memory gem: "If my people, which are called by my name shall humble themselves, and pray,...and turn from their wicked ways; then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land" (2 Chronicles 7:14).
Thought for today:
You will remember that in ancient times the place marked by God's special presence was regarded with reverence and awe.
The worshipers in Solomon's temple of old were reverent and walked in the fear of God. As we consider the mighty truths of God, should we not be reverent before Him? When we meet in the assemblies of His people, we should put away every evil thing. We should not be among those people mentioned in the fifteenth chapter of Matthew, of whom the Lord declared: "This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouths, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me" (verses 8, 9).
God "dwelleth not in temples made with hands" (Acts 7:48), yet He honors with His presence the assemblies of His people and by His Holy Spirit He dwells in the hearts of those who truly love and obey Him. Those who worship God must worship Him "in spirit and in truth; for the Father seeketh such to worship him" (John 4:23).
The temple of Solomon is gone. The worship of God is not now confined to any one race of people. It is not necessary to go to Mount Gerizim or to Jerusalem, to Rome, to Moscow, to London or to New York to worship God. He seeks today the temple of the surrendered heart. That is His true sanctuary. Shall we not open our hearts to His presence now, and prayerfully say: "The Lord is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him" (Habakkuk 2:20)?
Today's reading: We trace essentially the same events as the previous reading in 1 Kings. Imagine the awe inspired by the overpowering visible glory of God as He accepted the temple dedicated to Him.
Memory gem: "If my people, which are called by my name shall humble themselves, and pray,...and turn from their wicked ways; then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land" (2 Chronicles 7:14).
Thought for today:
You will remember that in ancient times the place marked by God's special presence was regarded with reverence and awe.
The worshipers in Solomon's temple of old were reverent and walked in the fear of God. As we consider the mighty truths of God, should we not be reverent before Him? When we meet in the assemblies of His people, we should put away every evil thing. We should not be among those people mentioned in the fifteenth chapter of Matthew, of whom the Lord declared: "This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouths, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me" (verses 8, 9).
God "dwelleth not in temples made with hands" (Acts 7:48), yet He honors with His presence the assemblies of His people and by His Holy Spirit He dwells in the hearts of those who truly love and obey Him. Those who worship God must worship Him "in spirit and in truth; for the Father seeketh such to worship him" (John 4:23).
The temple of Solomon is gone. The worship of God is not now confined to any one race of people. It is not necessary to go to Mount Gerizim or to Jerusalem, to Rome, to Moscow, to London or to New York to worship God. He seeks today the temple of the surrendered heart. That is His true sanctuary. Shall we not open our hearts to His presence now, and prayerfully say: "The Lord is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him" (Habakkuk 2:20)?
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