Author: Scott Lane

Re:Verse passage – 2 Chronicles 7:11-22 (day five)  “As for you, if you walk before Me as your father David walked, even to do according to all that I have commanded you, and will keep My statutes and My ordinances,”

There is a “corporate” facet to the Christian life. God addresses a people. A nation. A body. But there is also (more importantly) a very personal and intimate facet to the Christian life. I must trust. I must follow. I must repent and believe. I have a friendship and relationship with God through Jesus Christ. In the Christian faith, there are no “coattails”or “grandfather clauses”. Each of us is accountable and responsible for our faith and for our growth.   Just as the Lord spoke to Solomon, He speaks to each of us- “As for you…”

Re:Verse passage – 2 Chronicles 7:1-10 (day five) 

“On the twenty-third day of the seventh month he sent the people to their homes, joyful and glad in heart for the good things the Lord had done for David and Solomon and for his people Israel.”  Isn’t it interesting that the scripture says that the people were “sent (away) to their homes”.  In my mind, I can picture a group that didn’t want to leave. They kept “congregating”.  Not in a hurry to get to lunch.  Not thinking about the to-do list.  Just soaking up the moment and experience that has gone on for days. Why?  Because they had a personal and powerful encounter with the Lord. Ever had those moments?  Ever anticipate those moments?  There is something captivating about being with other believers and (personally and corporately) experiencing God’s power and presence.  Don’t want it to end.  Don’t want to leave.  Want to linger.  Want to share that experience and enjoy the fellowship that it fosters.  May our Worship and Bible Study gatherings leave us in that kind of awe because of God’s presence and power through His Holy Spirit.

“The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent.” Exodus‬ ‭33:11‬

Re:Verse passage – 2 Chronicles 6:12-42 (day five)

“Now, O my God, I pray, let Your eyes be open and Your ears attentive to the prayer offered in this place.”‭6:40‬.
The opportunity to communicate with each other has changed dramatically over the last couple of decades, thanks in large part to technology. Cell phones, FaceTime, Instant Messages all make it easier these for communication to happen. Yet, there are still moments when communication becomes hindered and/or impossible.  Loss of signal, dead battery, cell phone turned off, lost, or left behind.
One of the great hopes and pleas in Solomon’s prayer is that God would hear his prayer and the prayers of the people (notice it’s both Israel and foreigners- but that’s another blog).
God’s capacity to hear us never fails. No lost signals, no dead batteries, always listening.
Does that bring you joy?  Does that give you hope?  Does that cause you to want to share your heart and thoughts with Him?

Re:Verse passage – 2 Chronicles 6:1-11 (day five)

“The Lord has kept the promise he made. I have succeeded David my father and now I sit on the throne of Israel, just as the Lord promised, and I have built the temple for the Name of the Lord, the God of Israel.”

There are several promises of God found in our Re:Verse text this week. A place for the temple. A person to rule. The next King. And the covenant God made with Israel.  God kept every one of them. God keeps all His promises. Are there promises that you need to discover or remember?  God’s promised presence.  God’s promised power.  God’s promised peace.   God’s promised wisdom.   God’s promised forgiveness.   (Just to name a few). Search the scriptures, remember His faithfulness and you will find a living God who has kept every promise He has made, who is worthy of praise and trust.

“The promises of God reveal his particular and eternal purposes to which he is unchangeably committed and upon which believers can totally depend.” – BibleGateway.

Re:Verse passage – 2 Chronicles 5:1-14 (day five). 

“All the men of Israel assembled themselves to the king at the feast, that is in the seventh month. Then all the elders of Israel came, and the Levites took up the ark.” 

Can you sense the unity?  Can you sense the community?  Can you picture the full participation of the leaders and people gathering for this time of worship and celebration? There is something tangible and overwhelming about being with God’s people. God’s presence. I am reminded of this truth most Sunday’s these days. At least one family or member will make their way back in person to worship or Bible study for the first time in a long while (some over a year). I love just watching and listening to them react after worship. Excited. Inspired. Emotional. Encouraged.

When it’s time (God will guide each of us in His timing) to gather in person, will you come with joy and expectation?   We are praying our gathered times will be marked by His overwhelming presence and a real sense of unity and community.

Re:Verse passage – 2 Chronicles 3:1-17 (day five). 

“The gold nails weighed fifty shekels. He also overlaid the upper parts with gold.”

Gold nails?  Even that part was intentional. Could seem extreme to our “be good stewards” culture. But not to Solomon, or to God.  What we can learn, is that God is aware and interested in the smallest details. Of this project.  Of our lives. It speaks to His all encompassing love and care. Does that encourage you?  Does that shape the way you pray (every detail shared in praise, confession, and supplication)?  God is aware of all of it. More than that, He cares about all of it.

Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. –Luke‬ ‭12

Re:Verse passage – 2 Chronicles 2:1-12 (day five)

“Behold, I am about to build a house for the name of the LORD my God, The house which I am about to build will be great, for greater is our God than all the gods.”

In Solomon’s mind the temple would reflect and remind the Israelites of the character and nature of God.  Not a small task at all. I wonder if Solomon wanted them to look up or be awestruck when they entered or even just passed by the temple.

I think we often overlook opportunities to reflect God’s character and nature as “living temples”. 1 Corinthians 3:16- Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?

The way we love, serve, forgive, and even work can point and remind others of the greatness and glory of the Living God.

We see in Chronicles the preparation and planning required for so a great a task. We should also plan and prepare daily (scripture, prayer, repentance) for others to encounter God’s presence in us and through us. May we reflect an accurate picture and expression of God’s glory each and every day.

Re:Verse passage – 1 Chronicles 29:1-11 (day five)  

“Then the people rejoiced because they had offered so willingly, for they made their offering to the LORD with a whole heart, and King David also rejoiced greatly.”  Previously, Davis has used this assembly meeting to challenge and commission Solomon to the work of building the temple. Now he addresses the leaders and other peoples of the assembly. I wonder if they were intimidated by “how much” David was contributing to the project.  Probably no one had that kind of wealth. I wonder if they had any reservations about their new leader who David describes as young and inexperienced.  I wouldn’t put that on a resume.

David then leads them to the secret of giving-  giving from the heart. When giving is made from the heart, instead perceiving obstacles and hardships, eyes are opened to the reality and opportunities of the Lord’s character and His work. The scripture says the people rejoiced  I wonder if that joy replaced any fear or uncertainty.

May we give and serve our Glorious God with our whole hearts!  May God bring us that kind of joy as we give and serve Him!

Re:Verse passage – 1 Chronicles 28:11-21 (day five)  

“Then David said to his son Solomon, “Be strong and courageous, and act; do not fear nor be dismayed, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you nor forsake you until all the work for the service of the house of the LORD is finished.”

I love the language David uses to encourage and empower Solomon for this great task ahead.  You must act AND God will be at work too.  It has one of the great promises that we find throughout scripture.  You will need to trust and do (act/work/disciple/baptize/teach) what God has called you to do AND God will provide His strength, wisdom, Holy encouragement, and constant presence.  It’s a beautiful partnership that believers have with the Living God. We must do what we are called and commanded to do and God does what only He can do (produce Godly fruit from our efforts).

Matthew 28 “make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Philippians 2 “work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”

Re:Verse passage – 1 Chronicles 28:1-10 (day five)  

“As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a whole heart and a willing mind; for the LORD searches all hearts, and understands every intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will let you find Him; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever.”

David’s time on earth is coming to a close. As he thinks back on his life and looks forward to Solomon’s reign, David wisely points his son to seek and serve the Living God. What will be the legacy advice we leave (verbally or behaviorally) to our children?  Trust me, they are watching and listening (learning) from an early age. Will it be about finances? Relationships? Work ethic? Priorities? Successes? Failures?

David charges Solomon (and us) that the best and most important legacy we can leave our children and the next generation is a vibrant faith and intimate fellowship with God.  So we all need to ask… are our children and those of the next generation learning (from what they see and hear in our lives) that faith in God is our most treasured possession?  Are we intentionally encouraging them to seek and serve God? That, is a legacy that will last through the generations.