This chapter describes the ark being brought to the temple, Solomon blessing the Lord, his prayer of dedication for the temple, a benediction, and more.
“Blessed be the Lord… Not one word has failed of all his good promise, which he spoke by Moses his servant. The Lord our God be with us, as he was with our fathers. May he not leave us or forsake us, that he may incline our hearts to him, to walk in all his ways and to keep his commandments, his statutes, and his rules, which he commanded our fathers. …may he maintain the cause of his servant and the cause of his people Israel, as each day requires, that all the peoples of the earth may know that the Lord is God; there is no other. Let your heart therefore be wholly true to the Lord our God, walking in his statutes and keeping his commandments, as at this day.” (v56-61 abr)
A portion of Solomon’s prayer is a blessing of encouragement to the spiritual descendants of Abraham – God has upheld all of His promises, and we are to uphold our portion of the agreement. When we are wholly submitted to God, and He fully supports us, then all the people of the earth may know that He is God.
Personally, I’m struggling with this a little bit in light of current global circumstances. It’s hard to believe that all the people of the earth will know He is God, when we’re so dead-set on trying to save ourselves, and relying on people for our (physical) salvation (eg. vaccines).
As followers of Christ, we need to be setting a good example of how to conduct ourselves in a pandemic. The disappointing part is, I’ve seen Christ followers being poor examples during this time. Are we the running around frantically? Are we losing sleep over worry and concern? Are we crossing our fingers that a vaccine will be released soon? Are we reading Revelation and trying to convince everyone to repent for the end is here? Or, are we firmly rooted in Christ and compassionately caring and praying for those who are scrambling, anxious, and relying on people for deliverance?
I’m not suggesting we shouldn’t use the gifts, abilities, and technologies God has gifted us with (such as medical science and vaccines). What I am suggesting is our hope be wholly placed in God, not in mankind – it’s mankind’s wisdom that brought the curse and consequences of sin upon us. I’m also suggesting that when we wholly trust in God, our spirit can be at peace, and we don’t need to be in the bondage of panic or anxiety.
On more than one occasion, one of my non-believing coworkers has asked me how I can remain so calm. I simply responded “my faith in God”. I encourage us all to be examples that the world will notice – let’s be rooted in the Spirit, calm, at peace in our spirits, and compassionate toward those who are struggling in this time.
Father God, blessed be Your holy name, for You have never failed to keep Your promises. Father please be with us, as You were with our spiritual parents. Please never leave or forsake us, and guide our hearts toward You, so we will always keep Your commandments. Please keep us spiritually safe and healthy, each and every day, that the whole earth would know who You are, and have no other god before You. May we be wholly submitted to You, upholding Your word and commands, this day and forever, amen.
~ Conqueror in Training