Being right with God. The blessing of God. This is what Israel sought at one time. And they received it. They experienced the Lord's hand on their lives. They were a people set apart for a special purpose. The Lord established their presence in the world with authority, wisdom, and wealth. He was with them.
2 Chronicles 7:1-2 As soon as Solomon finished his prayer, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the Lord filled the temple. And the priests could not enter the house of the Lord, because the glory of the Lord filled the Lord's house.
The writer of 2 Chronicles presents the kingdom under Solomon as powerful and blessed. Solomon was wise and wealthy beyond belief. The land had peace all around. What was it like to live in Israel during the days of Solomon? Peace? Prosperity? Joy?
How amazing it is to live in the blessing of God. How good it is to experience his peace and prosperity. This is what we all want, isn't it? We desire peace, love, joy, provision?
But what happens when we experience this blessing? Do we remain faithful to the Lord? Do we give him praise for working in our lives? Or do we fall away from wholehearted devotion to him? It is easy to fall away during times of prosperity. Israel did it. Many people alive today do it.
My prayer and heart is for focused devotion during times of pain as well as prosperity. Worship and commitment in good times and bad. May we learn from the mistakes of the past. May we walk in humility and gratitude for all the Lord has blessed us with. And may he be glorified through our lives. Amen.
Taken from reading 2 Chronicles 6-10
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