235th Week, II Chronicles Chapters 5-9 (Click on Title for Video Introducction)

 Click on Title for Video Intro

Monday, II Chronicles Chapter 5

II Chronicles 5

Jane Jones

THOUGHT

WOW!!  The praise hymn “He is good and His love endures forever” has taken on a new meaning to me. And the next time I see a cloud enveloping an area, I will think of the Glory of the Lord filling the temple of God.

The TOP SEVEN REASONS TO BUILD SUCH AN ELABORATE TEMPLE

1) It was a symbol of religious authority. The temple was God’s way of centralizing worship at Jerusalem in order to ensure that correct belief would be kept intact through many generations.

2) It was a symbol of God’s holiness. The temple’s beautiful atmosphere inspired respect and awe for God. It was the setting for many of the great visions of the prophets.

3) It was a symbol of God’s covenant with Israel. The temple kept the people focused upon God’s law rather than on the king’s exploits. It was a place where God was especially present to His people. (The tablets of the Ten Commandments were kept in the Temple)

4) It was a symbol of forgiveness. The temple’s design, furniture, and customs were great object lessons for all the people, reminding them of the seriousness of sin, the penalty that sin incurred, and their need of forgiveness.

5) It prepared the people for the Messiah, in the New Testament. Christ said He came to fulfill the law, not destroy it.

6) It was a testimony to human effort and creativity. Inspired by the beauty of God’s character, people devoted themselves to high achievements in engineering, science, and art in order to praise Him.

7) It was a place of prayer. In the temple, people could spend time in prayer to God.

PRAYER

Lord, We know that it took seven years to build the temple. To be honest, it is hard to imagine it getting done that quickly in that time. May we never lose sight of the symbols of God’s holiness, God’s mercy, and God’s love. AMEN

Tuesday, II Chronicles Chapter 6

II Chronicles 6

Verse 42

Jane Jones

Verse 42:  “0 Lord God, do not reject your anointed one. Remember the great love promised to David, your servant.”

THOUGHT

This chapter was the prayer that Solomon lifted up when the temple was being dedicated. It was an awesome prayer. Sometimes if we are at a loss of words as to what to pray, this chapter would be a great one to read.

Solomon marveled that the temple could contain the power of God and that God would be willing to live on earth among sinful people. He asked God to hear their prayers concerning a variety of situations...crime, famine, the influx of foreigners, war, sin...  God is concerned with whatever we face, even the difficult consequences we bring upon ourselves. He really wants us to turn to Him in prayer.

Prayer is such a strong vessel by which we get to know the Lord. During my prayer time I try to picture the Lord sitting with me, or maybe across the table, or maybe in the car with me, or maybe by my bedside. I try to share things with Him as if He was my best friend, and I knew He could help and that He would understand. When you pray, remember that God hears you. He stands ready to hear; all we have to do is speak with Him. Don’t wait to experience His loving forgiveness and help.

PRAYER

Lord, we thank You for prayer. As busy as You are, You still want to hear from us.  Thank You for allowing us that time, anywhere or any time.  May we all be Salt and Light for You today...at work and at school. AMEN

Wednesday, II Chronicles Chapter 7

II Chronicles 7

Verse 14

Jane Jones

THOUGHT

Please read verse 14 then go to the web site below.  I would like to end with this for my devotion. Turn on your speakers.

Verse 14:  ‘If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.’

https://youtu.be/qt_OkgSOrkU?si=VKm5t8wJR76vUVp4  Copy and Paste.  

This is the song, ‘The Prayer,’ that is so beautiful and perfect…This was found on YouTube… The Prayer by Andrea Bocelli and Celine Dion

Here are the words…

I pray you'll be our eyes

And watch us where we go

And help us to be wise

In times when we don't know

Let this be our prayer when we lose our way

Lead us to a place

Guide us with your grace

To a place where we'll be safe

La luce che tu dai

I pray we'll find your light

Nel cuore resterà

And hold it in our hearts

A ricordarci che

When stars go out each night

L'eterna stella sei

Nella mia preghiera

Let this be our prayer

Quanta fede c'è

When shadows fill our day

Lead us to a place

Guide us with your grace

Give us faith so we'll be safe

Sognamo un mondo senza più violenza

Un mondo di giustizia e di speranza

Ognuno dia la mano al suo vicino

Simbolo di pace e di fraternità

La forza che ci dia

We ask that life be kind

È il desiderio che

And watch us from above

Ognuno trovi amor

We hope each soul will find

Intorno e dentro a sè

Another soul to love

Let this be our prayer

Let this be our prayer

Just like every child

Just like every child

Need to find a place

Guide us with your grace

Give us faith so we'll be safe

E la fede che

Hai acceso in noi

Sento che ci salverai

Thursday, II Chronicles Chapter 8

II Chronicles 8

Delores Little

THOUGHT

We are in the 21st year of Solomon being king.  He worked on the palace he made for Pharaoh’s daughter which was done in 14 years and the temple of God done in 7 years.  Both were finished in the 20th year. At his time he knew his wife was not to be living in his father’s palace. As verse 11 says, Solomon brought Pharaoh’s daughter up from the City of David to the palace he had built for her, for he said, “My wife must not live in the palace of David king of Israel, because the places the ark of the Lord has entered are holy.”

He at this time was truly doing what the Lord would have him do, except when he married the daughter of Pharaoh. This was just the beginning of his downfall. He kept the sacrifices of the Lord as Moses commanded, and they are named in the verses 12-13.  He also had gold sent to him from Ophir by Hiram, and it was 450 talents of Gold which was delivered to Solomon.

What does this have to do with us today?  Well, he started Pharaoh’s daughter’s palace before God’s temple. Are we guilty of that?  Do we put our own interest in front then God’s next?  It should be the other way around. He knew what Moses said about taking wives from other places, and he still did it. He built chariots and bought the best horses, and this wasn’t in God’s plan.

We may not have done the same things as he did, but I know I have been very guilty of being out of God’s will. Why do I continue to do this when I know it is not right?  How I thank God for giving us Jesus who paid it all for us so that we can go before Him and ask forgiveness.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, be with us this week as we travel through Your Word and learn more of You each day. AMEN

Friday, II Chronicles Chapter 9

II Chronicles 9

Delores Little

THOUGHT

Today we read of Queen Sheba’s visit and Solomon’s death. Queen Sheba heard of Solomon’s fame, and she came to Jerusalem to test him with hard questions. She arrived with a very great caravan of camels carrying spices, large quantities of gold, and precious stones.  She came to Solomon and talked with him about all she had on her mind. Solomon answered all her questions. Nothing was too hard for him to explain to her.  (Verses 1&2)

God really gave Solomon wisdom beyond our understanding. How many questions could we answer quickly without having to do some research?  In verse 6 she said to him, “But I did not believe what they said until I came and saw with my own eyes. Indeed, not even half the greatness of your wisdom was told to me; you have far exceeded the report I heard.”

When I read this I wondered, why did he marry so many women, and why were they ones who did not know his God?  He was led astray by them as he got older. I wonder if he quit praying to God and went the other way.  Only God knows. Like Solomon from Ecclesiastes 12:13 “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep His commandments. For this is the whole duty of man.”  

King Solomon was greater in riches and wisdom than any other kings of the earth. In verse 22 it says that other kings wanted to hear him and wanted to know what God put in his heart. To read more on King Solomon go to I Kings Chapters 10 & 11, and you will read more in detail about his life. He reigned 40 years in Jerusalem, and then he rested with his fathers. As I read Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, I really think he was confessing his mistakes he had made to God and trying to let us know the true way.  The True Way being God our Father, Jesus our Savior, and Holy Spirit our Comforter,

PRAYER

Father, we do fall so short every day in our lives. Thank You for sending Your Son to save us and lead us daily through Your Holy Word.  Be with everyone in the world.  Please send Your Holy Spirit to open hearts and souls to Your way and the truth. In Jesus Name we pray.  AMEN