Category Archives: Character of God

All Powerful / King of All, Worthy of Fear / Reverence

Shekinah Glory – the Presence of God on Earth

I am sure this must have been amazing to behold… our God is so much more than just words on a page in the Bible. He is the Creator of all. Sometimes, He reveals His glory in powerful ways on earth.

2 Chronicles 7:1-3

The Shekinah Glory

      1Now when Solomon had finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the LORD filled the house. 2The priests could not enter into the house of the LORD because the glory of the LORD filled the LORD’S house. 3All the sons of Israel, seeing the fire come down and the glory of the LORD upon the house, bowed down on the pavement with their faces to the ground, and they worshiped and gave praise to the LORD, saying, “Truly He is good, truly His lovingkindness is everlasting.”

The presence was so strong that the priests could not enter the temple at that time. Pause and reflect on that. The people chose to bow down to, worship and praise the LORD.  What a great response! I would hope I would do the same.

God will not always reveal Himself in this way, so do not be discouraged if you have not had one of these rather uncommon experiences with our LORD. But I do find it worth reflecting on the glory of God, something I do not do often enough.

Here is a link to an article discussing the Shekinah Glory:

The Shekinah glory – What is it? (compellingtruth.org).

I am not familiar with the site, but the article linked here is an interesting introduction to Shekinah Glory. I am sure there are a variety of views we could study and perhaps some of you will do so.

“The Shekinah glory is the Hebrew name given to the presence of God dwelling on the earth. The word “shekinah” does not actually appear in the Bible, but in Hebrew it can mean “he caused to dwell” and it was the term given to a divine visitation of Yahweh. A notable example of the Shekinah glory is the pillar of cloud by day and pillar of fire by night that guided the Israelites through the desert after their exodus from Egypt (Exodus 13:20–22).”

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, thank You for those times that You reveal Your glory to Your people in dramatic ways and also when You reveal Your glory in more private or personal encounters. Help me to focus more often on Your glory and not just the words of scripture. You are so much more than just words on the page in the Bible. You are a living and dynamic God, Creator of the universe. Help me live my life for Your glory. 

Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Grace / Forgiveness, Learning To Pray Effectively, Repenting from Sin, Seeking God, Thankfulness

The Treatment for Sin: Repentance and Turning to God

Too often Christians lean heavily on God forgiving them no matter what they do or don’t do. They act as if they do not really understand that a covenant often has conditions for both parties. We can be reminded of some important considerations that are still relevant today in our relationship with the LORD when we read about Solomon’s prayer of dedication for the temple.

Look for a few key elements while you read through:

  • Praise the LORD, and do that first. Reflect on His glory. What an honor to be invited into covenant with the creator of the universe!
  • Acknowledge the promises of God, either personal ones He has made to you or the more broad ones laid out in the Biblical text, like salvation through Christ if we make Him LORD of our lives.
  • Sin separates us from God and He can become displeased or angry with us. This is not because He is bad, but rather because we have sinned. He may choose to bring defeat or challenges into our lives as a result to get our attention or simply remove His protection.
  • Sin can affect an individual or a nation at large.
  • Do not assume sin that angers God is what is being done by the non Christians. Solomon was clearly speaking about sin among those who are God’s people. The same still applies to us. Look first at the repentance needed within ourselves and the body of Christ.
  • When we find ourselves separated from God and experiencing the trials associated with losing His blessing or gaining His punishment, we are the ones who need to change rather than Him. We are to repent and turn from our wicked ways and turn toward Him. It is more than saying “I’m sorry” and continuing to sin. Repenting reflects a change in heart and results in change in actions and behaviors.

2 Chronicles 6:12-42

Solomon’s Prayer of Dedication

      12Then he stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the assembly of Israel and spread out his hands. 13Now Solomon had made a bronze platform, five cubits long, five cubits wide and three cubits high, and had set it in the midst of the court; and he stood on it, knelt on his knees in the presence of all the assembly of Israel and spread out his hands toward heaven. 14He said, “O LORD, the God of Israel, there is no god like You in heaven or on earth, keeping covenant and showing lovingkindness to Your servants who walk before You with all their heart; 15who has kept with Your servant David, my father, that which You have promised him; indeed You have spoken with Your mouth and have fulfilled it with Your hand, as it is this day. 16“Now therefore, O LORD, the God of Israel, keep with Your servant David, my father, that which You have promised him, saying, ‘You shall not lack a man to sit on the throne of Israel, if only your sons take heed to their way, to walk in My law as you have walked before Me.’ 17“Now therefore, O LORD, the God of Israel, let Your word be confirmed which You have spoken to Your servant David.

      18“But will God indeed dwell with mankind on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain You; how much less this house which I have built. 19“Yet have regard to the prayer of Your servant and to his supplication, O LORD my God, to listen to the cry and to the prayer which Your servant prays before You; 20that Your eye may be open toward this house day and night, toward the place of which You have said that You would put Your name there, to listen to the prayer which Your servant shall pray toward this place. 21“Listen to the supplications of Your servant and of Your people Israel when they pray toward this place; hear from Your dwelling place, from heaven; hear and forgive.

      22“If a man sins against his neighbor and is made to take an oath, and he comes and takes an oath before Your altar in this house, 23then hear from heaven and act and judge Your servants, punishing the wicked by bringing his way on his own head and justifying the righteous by giving him according to his righteousness.

      24“If Your people Israel are defeated before an enemy because they have sinned against You, and they return to You and confess Your name, and pray and make supplication before You in this house, 25then hear from heaven and forgive the sin of Your people Israel, and bring them back to the land which You have given to them and to their fathers.

      26“When the heavens are shut up and there is no rain because they have sinned against You, and they pray toward this place and confess Your name, and turn from their sin when You afflict them; 27then hear in heaven and forgive the sin of Your servants and Your people Israel, indeed, teach them the good way in which they should walk. And send rain on Your land which You have given to Your people for an inheritance.

      28“If there is famine in the land, if there is pestilence, if there is blight or mildew, if there is locust or grasshopper, if their enemies besiege them in the land of their cities, whatever plague or whatever sickness there is, 29whatever prayer or supplication is made by any man or by all Your people Israel, each knowing his own affliction and his own pain, and spreading his hands toward this house, 30then hear from heaven Your dwelling place, and forgive, and render to each according to all his ways, whose heart You know for You alone know the hearts of the sons of men, 31that they may fear You, to walk in Your ways as long as they live in the land which You have given to our fathers.

      32“Also concerning the foreigner who is not from Your people Israel, when he comes from a far country for Your great name’s sake and Your mighty hand and Your outstretched arm, when they come and pray toward this house, 33then hear from heaven, from Your dwelling place, and do according to all for which the foreigner calls to You, in order that all the peoples of the earth may know Your name, and fear You as do Your people Israel, and that they may know that this house which I have built is called by Your name.

      34“When Your people go out to battle against their enemies, by whatever way You shall send them, and they pray to You toward this city which You have chosen and the house which I have built for Your name, 35then hear from heaven their prayer and their supplication, and maintain their cause.

      36“When they sin against You (for there is no man who does not sin) and You are angry with them and deliver them to an enemy, so that they take them away captive to a land far off or near, 37if they take thought in the land where they are taken captive, and repent and make supplication to You in the land of their captivity, saying, ‘We have sinned, we have committed iniquity and have acted wickedly’; 38if they return to You with all their heart and with all their soul in the land of their captivity, where they have been taken captive, and pray toward their land which You have given to their fathers and the city which You have chosen, and toward the house which I have built for Your name, 39then hear from heaven, from Your dwelling place, their prayer and supplications, and maintain their cause and forgive Your people who have sinned against You.

      40“Now, O my God, I pray, let Your eyes be open and Your ears attentive to the prayer offered in this place.

      41“Now therefore arise, O LORD God, to Your resting place, You and the ark of Your might; let Your priests, O LORD God, be clothed with salvation and let Your godly ones rejoice in what is good.

      42“O LORD God, do not turn away the face of Your anointed; remember Your lovingkindness to Your servant David.”

Many may read this and say, “I’m glad God has not turned against us”, but I would observe that I believe our nation and much of the world is far from God and we are suffering the results of those choices. Where individuals remain faithful, the majority of people across our nation have turned cold or directly against God or simply acknowledge Him without really walking in His commands, still doing whatever they feel is right.

Now is a good time for us as a people to repent and ask God for forgiveness and help to restore the righteousness of our nation. Remember, repent is an action verb, not simply “I’m sorry”.  It may start with “I’m sorry”, but then should be reflected by changes in our life.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, please reveal to me my sins and the sins of my nation and Your people. Help me to repent fully and lead others to do likewise. Please open the eyes of Your people and lead them to repent and return to You. Help us know what actions to take individually and collectively to bring back Your favor and righteousness across our land and across the world. Uphold the righteous and defeat the plans of the wicked, letting them be caught in their own traps. Amen.

Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

 

Joy / Happiness / Rejoicing, Praise / Worship / Glorify God, Provider, Thankfulness

Give God Glory for What He Has Done in Your Life

We may not personally connect with a specific prophecy that the LORD spoke, as He did for Solomon in saying that Solomon would build the temple.   However, I think we can consider how Solomon reacts in this situation and apply it in our own lives. When the prophecy has come true, Solomon makes a point to bring the glory to Yahweh. He reflects back on God’s promises or prophecy and focuses on it while celebrating and recognizing the temple completion. With or without a specific prophecy about our lives, we should also pause and reflect and declare what the LORD has done for us in our lives. All too often we can take it for granted.

2 Chronicles 6:1- 11

Solomon’s Dedication

      1Then Solomon said,
“The LORD has said that He would dwell in the thick cloud.

2“I have built You a lofty house,
And a place for Your dwelling forever.”

3Then the king faced about and blessed all the assembly of Israel, while all the assembly of Israel was standing. 4He said, “Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who spoke with His mouth to my father David and has fulfilled it with His hands, saying, 5‘Since the day that I brought My people from the land of Egypt, I did not choose a city out of all the tribes of Israel in which to build a house that My name might be there, nor did I choose any man for a leader over My people Israel; 6but I have chosen Jerusalem that My name might be there, and I have chosen David to be over My people Israel.’ 7“Now it was in the heart of my father David to build a house for the name of the LORD, the God of Israel. 8“But the LORD said to my father David, ‘Because it was in your heart to build a house for My name, you did well that it was in your heart. 9‘Nevertheless you shall not build the house, but your son who will be born to you, he shall build the house for My name.’ 10“Now the LORD has fulfilled His word which He spoke; for I have risen in the place of my father David and sit on the throne of Israel, as the LORD promised, and have built the house for the name of the LORD, the God of Israel. 11“There I have set the ark in which is the covenant of the LORD, which He made with the sons of Israel.”

The LORD has done much in my life, starting with forgiveness of sins through Yeshua, our Messiah. He provides for me food, shelter, job, a healthy immune system. That does not mean I have everything I want or never get sick. But I want to appreciate what He has done for me. I want to give Him thanks. Honestly, I find myself asking Him to help me with this attitude. All too often I can focus on what I do not have that I want or what is not going as I would like it to go. I can easily lose sight of what He has done for me.

Take time to reflect, maybe make a list, of all God has done for you. Share it with someone you trust.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, please help me give You glory and praise by focusing on all You have done for me. Help me not get distracted by the things that are not as I would like, but rather rejoice in who You are and Your relationship with me.  Help me have an attitude of thanksgiving for all You have done and do for me. Amen. 

Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Faith / Trusting God, Generous, Giving, Help / Serve Others, His Ways Are Not Our Ways, Jesus (hearing from God), Money / Finances / Wealth, Offering Sacrifices

How We Give Is a Reflection of What We Value

Yahweh does not need our money. It is not because He needs to buy something that He calls us to give. He calls us to give, and give generously, to challenge us to pursue Him wholeheartedly. How we give is a reflection of what we value. We are to seek first the kingdom of God, rather than pursue money as priority.

Mark 12:41-44

The Widow’s Mite

      41And He sat down opposite the treasury, and began observing how the people were putting money into the treasury; and many rich people were putting in large sums. 42A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which amount to a cent. 43Calling His disciples to Him, He said to them, “Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury; 44for they all put in out of their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on.”

Yeshua did not measure the gift by the absolute value of the coins. Instead, He valued it by the sacrifice and therefore the reflection of the heart and its priority seeking God over self.

If you have much, ask yourself if you are giving only from surplus or truly honoring God with what you have. You do not need to go give away everything you have… if you do that how can you continue to help others as you find them in need. However, challenge yourself to test your heart and your attitude as you choose to give to help others in a way that honors God.

If you have little, remember that God appreciates and deeply values when you give from your poverty to help others or serve Him. There is no such thing as “too little a gift to make a difference”. God knows all and appreciates the gift and your sacrifice.

One last thought, do not assume you must give your whole donation to the local church. Sometimes we have the opportunity to help others directly or there may be other charitable efforts that you can support to honor the work and name of the LORD.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, please help me to have a generous heart to give to honor and glorify Your name. Help me to put You first, above my own desire for money. Help me to have discernment in how to use the money I have to honor You and show my love for You. Amen. 

Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Jesus (hearing from God), Jesus Christ / Yeshua, Seeking God, Study the Word, Teachable

Challenge Yourself To Dig Deep In Scripture

Jesus captivated the crowds. He took on the traps and challenges of those who plotted against Him and challenged those who would listen to think beyond the obvious. He covered the basics, yes, but He also delved deep into the scriptures in order to help challenge people to really think about what God was saying in them. Often, it was different than what they were commonly taught by the religious leaders.

Mark 12:35-37

   35And Jesus began to say, as He taught in the temple, “How is it that the scribes say that the Christ is the son of David?

36“David himself said in the Holy Spirit,
‘THE LORD SAID TO MY LORD,
“SIT AT MY RIGHT HAND,
UNTIL I PUT YOUR ENEMIES BENEATH YOUR FEET.”’

37“David himself calls Him ‘Lord’; so in what sense is He his son?” And the large crowd enjoyed listening to Him.

 Any pastor or teacher considers it good news when the crowd is both large and enjoying listening to the message… especially when the message is not just intended to say what people want to hear, but rather challenge them to seek to understand God’s word at a deeper level. Jesus captivated people with the truth of God’s word. He never compromised… and yes there were always those who would plot against Him because of it. However, many learned and were drawn closer to God.

As disciples of Christ we should dig deep into the scriptures and challenge ourselves and others to truly consider their true meaning and how it affects our lives even today. Do not be satisfied just listening over and over to the basics or accepting the word of others for what the Bible says. Dig in deep and study to challenge yourself to understand new sections you have not previously considered in depth. Then, apply to your life. Then repeat with more scripture.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, help me not be content with just the basics of Your word, but rather hungry to study and challenge my understanding of what others teach. Help me to continually better define my understanding of You by studying and understanding scripture more deeply rather than let my current understanding of You redefine what the scripture actually says to fit in my “box”. Help me to enjoy studying and learning the truth of Your word. Amen.

 Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

 

Guide, Hebrew Roots / Commands / Law, Is the Old Testament Relevant Today?, Love, Loving / Kind, Seeking God, Study the Word

You Are Not Far From The Kingdom Of God

How can we sum up the whole of the law and the prophets concisely? How can we pull together a high level mission statement we can all get our minds around that is the foundation for all of God’s instruction?

Leave it to Jesus to bring about such a summary:

  • There is one God. We shall love Him above all else.
  • Love others as we love ourselves.

Mark 12:28-34

    28One of the scribes came and heard them arguing, and recognizing that He had answered them well, asked Him, “What commandment is the foremost of all?” 29Jesus answered, “The foremost is, ‘HEAR, O ISRAEL! THE LORD OUR GOD IS ONE LORD; 30AND YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH.’ 31“The second is this, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” 32The scribe said to Him, “Right, Teacher; You have truly stated that HE IS ONE, AND THERE IS NO ONE ELSE BESIDES HIM; 33AND TO LOVE HIM WITH ALL THE HEART AND WITH ALL THE UNDERSTANDING AND WITH ALL THE STRENGTH, AND TO LOVE ONE’S NEIGHBOR AS HIMSELF, is much more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” 34When Jesus saw that he had answered intelligently, He said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” After that, no one would venture to ask Him any more questions.

What a wonderful summary. If we do these things in the way that God’s word instructs us, we are not far from the kingdom of God.

Take care, however. While the summary is a great tool to bring with us, we should also dig deep in study and prayer to fully understand God’s word for how to love Him and how to love others. Love does not mean we just stay happy with everyone no matter what they do… and neither does God. Love means we care deeply to help others understand what is best for them and that means establishing boundaries and clear sense of right and wrong. Not everything is ok and accepting all behavior is not demonstrating God’s love.

Will you make the investment to understand how to love God and love others? Will you live it beyond just words and let it direct your path in life? Let us challenge each other to go deeper into God’s word and live it out as a way of testifying to others about Him!

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, please help me understand how You define loving You and loving others. Help me to live that out in a way that is pleasing to You and brings glory to You. Help me to live joyfully and gratefully. Amen. 

Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Praise / Worship / Glorify God, Seeking God, Worthy of Fear / Reverence

Bring Praise, Music and Singing as You Seek the LORD

After much work was done to build and prepare the temple as a place to honor the LORD, and everything was prepared, the final important touches were made to bring in the ark other implements set apart for the LORD. Do not miss that there was praising, singing, and music to glorify the LORD. It was not an afterthought. It was planned and coordinated. The LORD was pleased and His glory filled the temple.

2 Chronicles 5

The Ark Is Brought into the Temple

      1Thus all the work that Solomon performed for the house of the LORD was finished. And Solomon brought in the things that David his father had dedicated, even the silver and the gold and all the utensils, and put them in the treasuries of the house of God.

      2Then Solomon assembled to Jerusalem the elders of Israel and all the heads of the tribes, the leaders of the fathers’ households of the sons of Israel, to bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of the city of David, which is Zion. 3All the men of Israel assembled themselves to the king at the feast, that is in the seventh month. 4Then all the elders of Israel came, and the Levites took up the ark. 5They brought up the ark and the tent of meeting and all the holy utensils which were in the tent; the Levitical priests brought them up. 6And King Solomon and all the congregation of Israel who were assembled with him before the ark, were sacrificing so many sheep and oxen that they could not be counted or numbered. 7Then the priests brought the ark of the covenant of the LORD to its place, into the inner sanctuary of the house, to the holy of holies, under the wings of the cherubim. 8For the cherubim spread their wings over the place of the ark, so that the cherubim made a covering over the ark and its poles. 9The poles were so long that the ends of the poles of the ark could be seen in front of the inner sanctuary, but they could not be seen outside; and they are there to this day. 10There was nothing in the ark except the two tablets which Moses put there at Horeb, where the LORD made a covenant with the sons of Israel, when they came out of Egypt.

The Glory of God Fills the Temple

      11When the priests came forth from the holy place (for all the priests who were present had sanctified themselves, without regard to divisions), 12and all the Levitical singers, Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun, and their sons and kinsmen, clothed in fine linen, with cymbals, harps and lyres, standing east of the altar, and with them one hundred and twenty priests blowing trumpets 13in unison when the trumpeters and the singers were to make themselves heard with one voice to praise and to glorify the LORD, and when they lifted up their voice accompanied by trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and when they praised the LORD saying, “He indeed is good for His lovingkindness is everlasting,” then the house, the house of the LORD, was filled with a cloud, 14so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the LORD filled the house of God.

When we want to be among the presence of the LORD, do not overlook the value of praise, music, and singing.

I invite you to pray with me:

 Father, You are worthy of praise and honor and glory. I do want to be in Your presence. I want to experience a close relationship with You. I want to bring honor and glory to You! Amen.

Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Forgive Others / Seek Forgiveness, Grace / Forgiveness

If You Do Not Forgive, Your Father Will Not Forgive You

Scripture today is short on length, but long on meaning. Take time to really reflect on forgiveness. Mark 11 is one of many places this is addressed. Do not breeze over it. We are all guilty before God. We all need forgiveness. Thus we should pay attention to anything which may get in the way of that.

Mark 11:25-26

25“Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions. 26[“But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father who is in heaven forgive your transgressions.”]

Forgiveness is quite interesting in another perspective as well. If we don’t forgive, if we instead hold bitterness… we hurt ourselves. It affects us even if the other person is totally unaware or does not care. We actually help ourselves in more ways than one to embrace forgiveness. I recognize that it is harder for some, so ask for His help!

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, thank You for Your forgiveness of my sins. I pray You would help me to forgive others quickly and for Your glory. Let my life and the lives of Your people be characterized by forgiveness and being forgiven. Amen.

 Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Blessed, Learning To Pray Effectively, Money / Finances / Wealth, Peace / Rest, Protector / Deliverer, Provider

Jabez Was More Honorable Than His Brothers

Almost buried in a section of historical family lineage in 1 Chronicles is a brief excerpt, limited to two verses, about a man named Jabez for whom God answered his prayer. Like so many parts of scripture, it is waiting for us to find it and explore the depths of God’s word, like buried treasure.

It is worthwhile to pause and reflect on these verses.

1 Chronicles4:9-10

9Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother named him Jabez saying, “Because I bore him with pain.” 10Now Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, “Oh that You would bless me indeed and enlarge my border, and that Your hand might be with me, and that You would keep me from harm that it may not pain me!” And God granted him what he requested.

Quite some time ago, someone wrote a book about “the prayer of Jabez” and people got almost in a craze about it. The problem is that many focused on only his prayer. They wanted to turn it into some formula whereby if anyone repeats the words they force God to bless them also. However, this is not how a relationship with the Lord works. We don’t control Him. We don’t get His power by rehearsing specific words like some sort of spell.

Matthew 6:7-8

     7“And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words. 8“So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.

The prayer of Jabez was an honorable prayer. He asked for God’s blessing and asked for God’s protection from harm. These are good things to pray for. Let us also take care not to overlook that he also asked for God’s hand to be with Him and he was honorable in his life.

Jabez was not simply asking for more land and less pain, but also for a relationship with God and living his life in accordance with what God directed.

The path to living with the peace and joy of the Lord is one of submitting to him and building relationship with him. You can not and should not try to skip the relationship with God in pursuit of controlling him to give you the outcomes you want. As you build relationship with him, you will also discover that the relationship is the real treasure… that his hand would be with us.

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Have you submitted your life to Jesus Christ? Are you living today filled with the peace and joy of truly knowing and following Jesus Christ? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Fear / Reverence for God, Praise / Worship / Glorify God, Worthy of Fear / Reverence

Reflect on the Glory of God

As I take in all of 2 Chronicles 4, I feel the desire to just pause from my daily activities and reflect on the glory of God. Clearly, God’s glory far exceeds the temple and we can see it in the world around us and in the stars above. However, even just visualizing what I read about the temple helps me to stop and reflect that God is not to be considered ordinary or just a passing part of our life that fits in among all the other activities and priorities. We are to hold Him in a primary and special place in our lives. He is worthy of more time and attention… of more glory. God is certainly not ordinary.

2 Chronicles 4

Furnishings of the Temple

      1Then he made a bronze altar, twenty cubits in length and twenty cubits in width and ten cubits in height. 2Also he made the cast metal sea, ten cubits from brim to brim, circular in form, and its height was five cubits and its circumference thirty cubits. 3Now figures like oxen were under it and all around it, ten cubits, entirely encircling the sea. The oxen were in two rows, cast in one piece. 4It stood on twelve oxen, three facing the north, three facing west, three facing south and three facing east; and the sea was set on top of them and all their hindquarters turned inwards. 5It was a handbreadth thick, and its brim was made like the brim of a cup, like a lily blossom; it could hold 3,000 baths. 6He also made ten basins in which to wash, and he set five on the right side and five on the left to rinse things for the burnt offering; but the sea was for the priests to wash in.

      7Then he made the ten golden lampstands in the way prescribed for them and he set them in the temple, five on the right side and five on the left. 8He also made ten tables and placed them in the temple, five on the right side and five on the left. And he made one hundred golden bowls. 9Then he made the court of the priests and the great court and doors for the court, and overlaid their doors with bronze. 10He set the sea on the right side of the house toward the southeast.

      11Huram also made the pails, the shovels and the bowls. So Huram finished doing the work which he performed for King Solomon in the house of God: 12the two pillars, the bowls and the two capitals on top of the pillars, and the two networks to cover the two bowls of the capitals which were on top of the pillars, 13and the four hundred pomegranates for the two networks, two rows of pomegranates for each network to cover the two bowls of the capitals which were on the pillars. 14He also made the stands and he made the basins on the stands, 15and the one sea with the twelve oxen under it. 16The pails, the shovels, the forks and all its utensils, Huram-abi made of polished bronze for King Solomon for the house of the LORD. 17On the plain of the Jordan the king cast them in the clay ground between Succoth and Zeredah. 18Thus Solomon made all these utensils in great quantities, for the weight of the bronze could not be found out.

      19Solomon also made all the things that were in the house of God: even the golden altar, the tables with the bread of the Presence on them, 20the lampstands with their lamps of pure gold, to burn in front of the inner sanctuary in the way prescribed; 21the flowers, the lamps, and the tongs of gold, of purest gold; 22and the snuffers, the bowls, the spoons and the firepans of pure gold; and the entrance of the house, its inner doors for the holy of holies and the doors of the house, that is, of the nave, of gold.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, You are worthy of glory and honor and praise. You are worthy of our best. Help me not to “fit you in” to my life but rather put You in a primary spot in my life so that I would focus on You above all else. Amen. 

Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

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