2 Chronicles 4:1–6:11

We have further details about the furnishing of the Temple – similar to the Tabernacle, but in a much more grandiose fashion. The bronze altar is where all the sacrifices would be offered. The Sea of Bronze was for ceremonial purification…for the priests to wash in (2 Chronicles 4:6). The ten lavers were to wash the sacrifices. And then we have the pots, shovels, bowls, pillars, pomegranates, carts, lavers, forks…there was literally tons of gold and so much bronze, the weight was undetermined (2 Chronicles 4:18).

The time came to put everything in its place, the centerpiece being the Ark of the Covenant into the Holy of Holies. This symbolized the presence of God.

When the musicians began to sing, God smiled with favor and showed up with glory.

2 Chronicles 5:13–14 (NKJV) “…indeed it came to pass, when the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD, and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and praised the LORD, saying: ‘For He is good, for His mercy endures forever,’ that the house, the house of the LORD, was filled with a cloud, 14 so that the priests could not continue ministering because of the cloud; for the glory of the LORD filled the house of God.”

Can you picture it? Can you hear the musician praising God AS ONE with enthusiasm? The Temple built, not just with gold, silver, and bronze, but with love for God and proper motives. God was so pleased that He manifested Himself in this glorious cloud that filled the Temple so thick, that the priests could not continue ministering! It’s so cool when God takes over!

As God shows up, Solomon speaks up. In today’s reading we have the beginning of what will be one of the most amazing dedication speeches ever to be given. King Solomon addresses the whole assembly of Israel and gives God the glory for fulfilling His Word. It was all God who chose Jerusalem to be the “capital,” and chose David to be king.

The building of the temple was in the heart of David, and it was good that it was there, but his son would be the one to build it.

2 Chronicles 6:8 (NKJV) “But the LORD said to my father David, ‘Whereas it was in your heart to build a temple for My name, you did well in that it was in your heart.”

Quick question, “What’s in your heart?” What burden has God put inside of you to do, to be, to see done for the glory of God and the good of His people? Usually when we give our hearts to God He starts putting things inside of it (Nehemiah 2:12).

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Romans 7:1-12

In Romans 7 Paul teaches on the purpose of the law – speaking of the Old Testament laws of Judaism (which included the 10 Commandments).

The law was never able to save us from sin, it only identified sin and therein tempted us to sin (our fallen nature tends to gravitate towards forbidden fruit). The law is helpful and even useful in creating societal guidelines, but it does not give us the power to resist sin. The law shows us that we are exceedingly sinful and in desperate need of a Savior – and into that picture enters our Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul teaches that we are no longer “married” to, or under the law; that relationship died – we are now married to Christ.  The law is still useful in giving us guidelines, and as Christians we still have hundreds of commandments and principles in the New Testament to obey, but Jesus fulfilled the law and we are no longer under the law (Matthew 5:17; Galatians 3:23-26; 5:18).

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Psalm 17:1-15

This is another Psalm of David, the gifted writer and mighty warrior who experienced heavy, heavy spiritual warfare. This Psalm is a song and a prayer of David’s that God would keep him, and even keep him blameless in the midsts of the attacks of the enemy.

A few verses that stood out to me this time around are:

Psalm 17:3b (NKJV) “…I have purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.”

God help us to speak “on purpose.” I can’t just shoot from the hip and say whatever I want, I can’t simply speak my mind. I don’t know about you but I’ve noticed that if I don’t guard my heart and restrain my lips, I can transgress with my tongue and cause tons of trouble.

Psalm 17:8 (NKJV) “Keep me as the apple of Your eye; hide me under the shadow of Your wings,”

If you were to get a glimpse of God’s eye ,you would find yourself in His pupil. He has his eyes on us, watching over us, perfectly protecting His people. David prays, “Keep me there Lord.”

Psalm 17:14 (NKJV) “…from men of the world who have their portion in this life…”

There are some people who live only for today, their time on earth; they think nothing of heaven, never of God, eternity is not in any of their thoughts. Earth is the closest to heaven they’ll ever get. David prays for God to keep him from people like that.

Those who are the Lord’s have heaven, not just as a destination, but a motivation.

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Proverbs 19:22-23

Proverbs 19:22 (NKJV) “What is desired in a man is kindness, and a poor man is better than a liar.”

It’s hard to put into words, but I think we all know the kind of person a kind person is. “Kindness is love in work-clothes.” These are the types of people who are attractive, who we want around us. Hopefully this is the type of person we pray to be.

It’s a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22).

Proverbs 19:23 (NKJV) “The fear of the Lord leads to life, and he who has it will abide in satisfaction; he will not be visited with evil.”

We return to this teaching constantly throughout the Proverbs for it is the key to wisdom…a healthy fear of God. A reverence, an awe, an understanding that He will judge the non-believer and discipline the believer. This appropriate fear (the only appropriate fear) leads to spiritual regeneration, satisfaction, and a built-in protection.

If you have any questions or comments on today’s reading, or you’d like to share something the Lord showed you, feel free to leave a reply below. I’d love to hear from you as we grow forward in 2021.