The Everyday Prayer

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

After some thought, it comes as no surprise that many of the design elements in Solomon’s Temple point us back to the Garden of Eden. Palm trees, pomegranates, lilies, and cherubim provide striking similar imagery.

Even the Temple’s position from east to west reminds us that God expelled Adam and Eve to the east of the Garden. And in order for God’s people to return into his rest and presence they must journey westward through atonement, sanctification, and the mighty cherubim who guard the way.

The temple is a clear picture of God’s plan for restoration; back to the Garden where there is free and full fellowship with God.

“Look, I am making all things new.”-Jesus, Revelation 21:5

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 3:1-17 (day four)

God had given David the plans for the temple and also supplied all of the needed gold and silver, brass, iron, precious stones, and fine woven material.  Solomon set out to build a temple worthy of the one true God.  In chapter 3, we see that God was very specific with where, how, and with what, every aspect of the temple was to be built.

In God’s sovereignty, He was very involved in the details of constructing the temple.  Throughout history, many have believed and taught that God created the world and then stepped back and allowed man to manage it on his own…that is not the case!  God is intimately involved in the affairs of man.  God promised Israel blessing and curse…depending on their obedience to Him.  Discipline and curse is prepared for those who do not obey God.  That truth should instill a healthy fear of God in our hearts.  How have you seen God’s hand at work in your daily life?

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

“These are the foundations which Solomon laid for building the house of God.”

There is something in us that insists that what is material is of lesser worth than that which is spiritual. This is not true at all. The physical realm – matter, energy, space – is contingent upon the spiritual realm. That is, the spiritual realm – ultimately God himself – undergirds and upholds the physical realm. What is material depends on the spiritual for its existence. But there is a difference between dependent and worthless. God worked with Solomon to build the temple because God is very interested in living with human beings in this material realm. In the age to come, heaven and earth will merge to become one. Then we will know by sight that God loves this whole glorious place that he made.

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

Now it came about after these things, that God tested Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” ² He said, “Take now your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I will tell you.” Genesis 22

The Lord in his great wisdom never lets a teachable moment pass by. The very spot where God would consecrate his covenant with Abraham would become the plot where the temple would be constructed. This temple would rise and fall, and be rebuilt. It would serve then as the backdrop for the crucifixion of Jesus, and the sealing of the new covenant. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promises as we count time, he moves at the fulfillment of his design. We are wise to look at the continued work of his hand throughout history and trust that he is still at work.

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

“Because the Lord loves His people, He has made you king over them.” vs 11

The Lord loves His people and He gave them a king that would rule with wisdom. He gave them a king that would bring glory to Himself.

“But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—” Ephesians 2:4-5

The Lord loves His people. He loves them so much He gave them a King that would conquer the enemy for good. He gave them a King that would rule with wisdom from above. He gave them a King that would sit eternally on the Throne. He gave them Himself!

The King is Risen Indeed!

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

It will be a place set apart to burn fragrant incense before him, to display the special sacrificial bread, and to sacrifice burnt offerings each morning and evening, on the Sabbaths, at new moon celebrations, and at the other appointed festivals of the Lord our God. He has commanded Israel to do these things forever. 2 Chronicles 2:4

 With his own blood—not the blood of goats and calves—he entered the Most Holy Place once for all time and secured our redemption forever. Hebrew 9:12

Forever. From the beginning God never intended for Temple sacrifices to fulfill what was required to atone for our sin forever. But they did point to the greater sacrifice (and high priest). Jesus died once for all, and rising from the grave, sat down at the right hand of the Father forever.

He is the fulfillment of 2 Chronicles 2:4.

Happy (almost) Easter!

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 – 2 Chronicles 2:1-12 (day four)

David had put aside vast amounts of supplies to build the Temple with…gold, silver, bronze, precious stone, iron, fabrics…but Solomon needed more.  Evidently, Solomon had enlarged the plans for the Temple and required more supplies.  As grand as the plans were for the Temple, Solomon recognized that God could not be contained within this house.  Even the heavens and the highest heavens were not large enough to hold God.  God was greater than time or space.

When we stop and contemplate on the greatness of God, it is truly beyond our comprehension.  God reminded Job of His greatness in Job 38-41.  God has performed tasks and created perfection in ways we don’t even know to ask about.  In our finite thinking, we cannot fathom the majesty and glory of God.

So can a God this big manage the petty needs in our lives?  They don’t seem petty to us maybe, but in the grand scheme of things they hardly register on the scale of importance and complexity.  Why does it seem to be so hard to trust God?  He has promised to guide us…to provide for us…to meet our every need, yet we struggle to trust Him.  Ask God for the faith to trust Him!