Why it Matters - Example

Readings for today: 1 Kings 9, 2 Chronicles 8, Proverbs 25-26

There is nothing more powerful than a godly example. Godly parents setting an example for their children. Godly grandparents setting an example for their grandchildren. Godly employers setting an example for their employees. Godly pastors setting an example for their churches. Godly political leaders setting an example for their people. We tend to admire godly people even if we don’t always agree with their beliefs. Their manner of life and humility and willingness to serve is applicable no matter if you are a person of faith or not. I think of the godly men and women I have known over the course of my life. They come from all different backgrounds and life experiences. Some of them were highly educated and some had little formal education. Some were very wealthy and some didn’t have much in the way of material resources. Different ethnicities. Different nationalities. Different languages. I have been blessed by a diversity of godly mentors and friends.

At the beginning of his reign, Solomon set a godly example for Israel. “Then Solomon offered burnt sacrifices to the Lord on the altar of the Lord which he had built in front of the temple’s porch. He observed the daily requirements for sacrifices that Moses had specified for Sabbaths, new moon festivals, and the three annual celebrations - the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks, and the Feast of Temporary Shelters.” (2 Chronicles 8:12-13 NET) He followed the prescribed way of life God had established for his people at Mt. Sinai and Israel flourished as a result. The Lord blessed them with great wealth and influence in the region. Most of all, the Lord gave them peace. Peace with their neighbors. Peace with their friends. Even peace with their historic enemies. This was the fulfillment of God’s promise to Solomon. “I have answered your prayer and your request for help that you made to Me. I have consecrated this temple you built by making it my permanent home; I will be constantly present there. You must serve with integrity and sincerity, just as your father David did. Do everything I commanded and obey my rules and regulations. Then I will allows your dynasty to rule over Israel permanently, just as I promised your father David, ‘You will not fail to have a successor on the throne of Israel.’” (1 Kings 9:3-5 NET)

Why is it so hard for us to follow God’s commands? Especially when He guarantees they are the path to an abundant life? Abundance in love. Abundance in joy. Abundance in peace. Abundance in friendships. Abundance in community. Abundance in resources. Abundance in success. This is not a “health and wealth gospel” nor is it “name it and claim it theology.” We cannot manipulate God, force His hand, put Him in our debt, or do anything else to make Him bend to our will and bless our selfishness and vain conceit. Rather, this is simply the reality of what it means to walk with open hands and an open heart before Him. As we walk in “integrity and sincerity” and authentically and passionately seek Him and His will for our lives, He blesses us. He honors those who honor Him.

Readings for tomorrow: No devotionals on Sundays

Why it Matters - Time and Place

Readings for today: 1 Kings 5-6, 2 Chronicles 2-3

History matters to God. Time and place matter to God. The covenantal relationship God has with His people maps out in real historical events. This is what separates Judaism and Christianity from other ahistorical, human religions. It’s what separates the truths of Judaism and Christianity from the myths of other religions. We can actually look back to a real timeline, connected to real historical events that happened in real historical places. Places we can visit to this day.

“In the four hundred and eightieth year after the Israelites left Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon’s reign over Israel, during the month of Ziv (the second month), Solomon began building the Lord’s Temple.” (1 Kings 6:1 NET) The Temple is not just another one of Solomon’s many building projects. It is a unique building, representing the fulfillment of God’s covenant promises to Israel. In the Book of Exodus, God hears the cries of His people. He delivers them from slavery. He leads them and provides for them in the wilderness. He gives them victory after victory in their conquest of the Promised Land. And now He gives them a secure and permanent sanctuary where they will worship Him. As such, the Temple represents something bigger than Solomon and his ascension to the throne, it represents the culmination of God’s saving acts throughout Israel’s history.

“Solomon began building the Lord’s Temple in Jerusalem on Mount Moriah, where the Lord had appeared to his father David. This was the place that David prepared at the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite.” (2 Chronicles 3:1 NET) Mount Moriah was not just a random spot chosen by Solomon. It was deeply connected to Israel’s history. It was here that the plague was stopped when David built an altar and offered sacrifices in the wake of his sin. God had sent the plague in judgment because David had sinfully called for a census but David repented and God showed mercy. Traditionally, Mount Moriah is also the place where Abraham took Isaac to sacrifice him but the angel of the Lord stayed his hand and provided a ram instead. These events associate the Temple with faith and obedience as well as repentance and sacrifice and it’s why Mount Moriah was the most appropriate place to build. God had chosen to reveal Himself on this very spot time and time again and would continue to do so into the future.

We cannot and should not overlook the times and places in our lives where God makes Himself known. God is a God who intervenes in human history because He is a God who desires to have a relationship with His people. The promise associated with the Temple is that this will be the location where God will place His name and fill with His presence in order to dwell with His people. Those same promises hold true for us today through the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. Every believer in Christ has now become a living Temple, God making Himself known to us and through us for the sake of His glory.

Readings for tomorrow: 1 Kings 7-8, Psalms 11