Skip to main content

April 6 + Daily notes & readings

DAY 96

We've come a long way from wondering in the desert.  Now, after many battles and years of disarray, God's people are living in peace and the Lord has a house built.

Image result for solomon dedicates the temple wiki commons

DAILY READINGS

1 Kings 8-10 & Psalm 96

DAILY NOTES

1 Kings 8

  • Solomon brings the ark of God to the temple.
  • The temple is dedicated.  Solomon offers a prayer for the occasion.
  • Solomon blesses the people.
1 Kings 9
  • The highlight of this chapter is that God appears to Solomon again (in a dream?).  The line of David will continue through Solomon, assuming he follows the way of God.  The people must also follow.
1 Kings 10
  • The Queen of Sheba visits Solomon to see for herself his wisdom.  She is amazed (breathless).  The two crowns exchange gifts.
  • Some of Solomon's furniture is described as a way to emphasize the grandeur of his reign and the temple.  Notice how "the whole earth" wanted to see Solomon (10:24).

OTHER OBSERVATIONS

Solomon's prayer at the dedication of the temple demonstrates a trust in God's provision.  Notice how Solomon outlines particular scenarios that we're all sure will happen (when the people sin, a famine comes, etc).  When they happen, if the people repent, Solomon's prayer is that God will hear their prayer and then act accordingly.

There's no holding Solomon back from telling God what he wants God to do.  That's a great way to pray.

Let's realize also that this prayer was probably just as much for the people to receive and know as what they could expect from the Lord as it was for God to hear.  That's always the way of prayer, right?  It's for us, but it's for God, too.

What do you think?  Is your praying more about what you're saying to God or what God is saying to you?

Stay blessed...john
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

March 24 + Daily notes & readings

DAY 83 The relationship between Saul and David worsens.  David is now Saul's enemy.   DAILY READINGS 1 Samuel 18-20 & Psalm 83 DAILY NOTES 1 Samuel 18 Saul's delight for David quickly turns.  Saul is jealous of David's success and the fact that everyone else seems to like David more than him. Of course, we have to think about what this evil spirit from the Lord might mean. Saul tries to kill David.  He even devises a plan to have him married into the royal family so that he can create a snare for him. What does it say about David that, even after Saul has tried to kill him, he still finds it an honor to be married to the family? David escapes Saul's traps.  So, from here on out, the text says that Saul considered David an enemy.  Think he knows what it means to love your enemies? 1 Samuel 19 Verse 5 reminds us of David's fight with Goliath.  At this point, David has fought other times.  What makes that ...
Post a Comment
Read more

May 23 + Daily readings & notes

DAY 143 DAILY READINGS Job 12-15 & Psalm 138 DAILY NOTES Job 12 Surely, Job says, his friends don't think they're the only ones with wisdom?  Plus, they are telling him anything that isn't known by all.   Maybe they aren't as smart as they think they are? God holds true wisdom.  "With God are wisdom and strength" (vs. 13). Job 13 Job's friends have taken it upon themselves to speak on behalf of God.  Job considers their representation to be false because they have not considered Job's condition. Job 14 Job's prayer to God continues. We see a bit of the book's larger vision in these verses.  Job recognizes, and wants God to remember, that all humanity shares the same days of life.   Job 15 Eliphaz considers that Job's questioning hinders God and would keep others from knowing God. Psalm 138 The praise of the psalmist is a communal act.   God has been faithful and the psalmist wants to thank God...
Post a Comment
Read more

March 13 + Daily notes & readings

DAY 72 Are you familiar with Gideon?  Do you know why the people who leave Bibles in hotel rooms call themselves the Gideons?   Well, let's read about Gideon first and found out about the Gideons later. DAILY READINGS Judges 6-8 & Psalm 72 DAILY NOTES Judges 6:1-10 The Israelites are oppressed by the Midianites.  They are forced to flee to the mountains and caves.  The Israelites were "impoverished" and the land was "wasted."   The Israelites call out to God.  A prophet arose to confirm their current situation is due to their turning away from God.  Scripture doesn't tell us who the prophet was, but Jewish commentary offers a name. Judges 6:12 Gideon is approached by an angel of the Lord.  He is called a "mighty warrior."   Judges 6:22 After the sign Gideon asks for comes to pass, he believes he has seen the angel of God and believes what he has told him.   Judges 6:25-27 ...
Post a Comment
Read more