Solomon's Temple

1 Kings 8:1-9:9

The Ark of the Lord is brought into the Temple and Solomon prays this incredible prayer of dedication and benediction. This is where I need to focus for a while. It is certainly for me to attend to.

Who we are: we are the Lord's people, Why we are: we are to be a light to the nations. What we are: we are to be a people of prayer and of obedience. Why are we to do these things: because through these actions we will be a blessing and receive mercy and grace from God.

Will the Lord God dwell here on earth? The maker of the heavens and the whole earth? No it is too small a place to contain him. BUT He will place His name here. He will cause His mercy to dwell there, and He will hear the prayers of the people who call upon His name and  keep His commands.

This seems to me to have captured all of the essence of what has gone before-and includes the explanation of the consequences of not following these commands-death and separation.

How beautiful to see that this news is not just for Israel, but for the foreigner who dwells among them as well. This good news, this blessing, extends beyond the chosen people if they call upon the name of the Lord.

Why? "...in order that all the peoples of the earth may know your name and fear you, as do your people Israel, and that they may know that this house that I have built is called by your name."

This is the message for us today. Let us write this on the tablet of our hearts.

See you tomorrow.
-maggie