Bible Pathway - May 22
Read 2 Chronicles 4
Highlights:
Temple furnishings; Ark brought into the Temple; cloud of the Lord’s presence fills the Temple; Solomon’s prayer of dedication
It came even to pass, as 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 musick, and praised the Lord, saying, For He is good; for His mercy endureth for ever: that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the Lord (2 Chr. 5:13).
This looks to have been an exciting praise and worship service to the Lord. There was much reason to celebrate. Their enemies were all but gone. The Temple was complete. The Ark was being brought up to be placed in the Temple. It would seem all of Israel had come out for this celebration. There were plenty of reasons for this to happen. And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in His Tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the Lord (Ps. 27:6).
We see in this verse the results of this tremendous session of praise. A great cloud came in and filled the Temple. The priests themselves became overwhelmed. This cloud was the glory of the Lord. But Thou art holy, O Thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel (Ps. 22:3).
This scripture shows us very clearly that when we surrender ourselves in praise to God, He will show up. The nation of Israel put aside all their differences and came together for one purpose; to offer praise, worship and thanksgiving to God. Their praises brought the Spirit of God to the scene.
The same thing can and will happen today. You might say that you have been in some pretty good church services and you never saw a cloud fill the place up. That is probably true for most of us. That does not mean that we have not been in the presence of the Holy Spirit.
There may not have been a cloud, but most believers have seen the Holy Spirit at work. We have seen the hearts of the lost touched, who then surrendered to Jesus. We have seen the Lord come into a family and heal a broken relationship. We have felt that same Holy Spirit touch our own hearts and draw us to make Jesus the Lord and Savior of our lives. These situations and many others like them definitely reveal the Spirit of the Lord as did the cloud of glory of old. Yes, God is still on the throne; Jesus still saves (Luke 19:10). The Holy Spirit still reveals the Truth of Salvation. Now is the time to tell others the good news of Jesus while there is still time
In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the Gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise (Eph. 1:13).
Thought for Today:
We have a great privilege to live under the grace of God, but grace does not mean we have a license to sin.
Christ Revealed:
Through Solomon’s prayer to God (2 Chr. 6:14). Jesus is God: I and My Father are One (John 10:30; 17:22; 1:1; 1 John 5:7-8).
Word Studies:
4:2: molten sea, large metal, round basin; 4:22 censers, incense burners; 6:10 room, throne of Israel; 6:24 be put to the worse, are defeated; 6:28 dearth, famine; blasting, blight; sore, plague; 6:40 attent, attentive.
Prayer Suggestion: Bow before the Lord in a godly reverence as you pray and worship (Ex. 34:8).
Optional Reading: 1 Corinthians 9
Memory Verse for the Week: Psalms 119:41
