Recognizing God

2 Chronicles 9:8 "Blessed be the LORD thy God, which delighted in thee to set thee on his throne, to be king for the LORD thy God: because thy God loved Israel, to establish them for ever, therefore made he thee king over them, to do judgment and justice."

Though Solomon had his faults, at this point in his life he was doing something right. We know this because, even though it was apparent how great Solomon was, the glory still went where it belonged - to God. After seeing a happy people, human greatness and riches beyond compare, and the wonders of a temple and city, the Queen of Sheba did not praise Solomon. Instead she blessed "the Lord thy God".

Presumably, the Queen of Sheba worshiped a different, false god. Yet, she recognized that Solomon's God was real, active, and worthy of praise. And how did she realize this? Just by looking at Solomon's life. His life was a testimony to the greatness of God and it had a huge impact on this pagan.

What do others see when they look at my life? Am I reflecting the praise and glory for the good things in my life back to their Source? Is my life so impossible (answered prayers, blessings) that the only possible explanation is Heavenly?

The Source of Joy

2 Chronicles 7:10 "And on the three and twentieth day of the seventh month he sent the people away into their tents, glad and merry in heart for the goodness that the LORD had shewed unto David, and to Solomon, and to Israel his people."

I think many people view joy incorrectly. Many people view it as a spontaneous feeling that should erupt when the situation surrounding you is perfect. As Christians though, we know that joy is independent of our circumstances.

Joy finds its source in knowing Who God is. Once we have personally experienced the goodness of the Lord demonstrated in our lives, if we keep our eyes on that, circumstances are powerless to steal that joy. Whatever happens in our life cannot change the goodness and love of God. He is the same. It is only by knowing this that joy can remain a constant companion.

The moment we look to something or someone else for satisfaction, the moment we let the wind and the waves turn our eyes away from the Savior, the moment we complacently feel that "everything's ok", the moment we take our eyes off God is the moment our joy departs.

How am I taking action today to keep my eyes on God and His goodness? Does my prayer life include thankfulness and a desire to know Him?

Which Wisdom?

Proverbs 23:4 "Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom."

Godly wisdom is a vital part of the Christian life. However, as fallen humans, we often get confused between what is godly wisdom and what is our own wisdom. There are so many things that just make sense to us, they seem like a "no-brainer". Yet the Bible tells us that God's thoughts are so far above our thoughts, and His ways are so far above our ways, that the two cannot even be compared. 

Therefore, it should come as no surprise when my own "wisdom" is at odds with the Heavenly wisdom. Godly wisdom often leads us to do things that we are not comfortable with. It often leads us to do things that are above and beyond the call of duty. It often leads us to do things that are 180 degrees different from what we would normally do. But we are commanded to cease from our own wisdom. Not just take a break from it, not take a step or two away. But to cease. Completely and utterly stop.

It takes a conscious effort to discern whose wisdom I am depending on from moment to moment. How can I determine whose wisdom I am using today? Have I asked God for His wisdom today?

He Hears

2 Chronicles 6:14-15 "And said, O LORD God of Israel, there is no God like thee in the heaven, nor in the earth; which keepest covenant, and shewest mercy unto thy servants, that walk before thee with all their hearts: Thou which hast kept with thy servant David my father that which thou hast promised him; and spakest with thy mouth, and hast fulfilled it with thine hand, as it is this day."

Christianity is unique among all religions for a number of reasons. However, one of its most prominent defining characteristics is miraculous answers to prayer. We have a God Who hears, listens, and is moved by the fervent prayers of His righteous servants.

Ponder that.

The God of the universe, the Creator and Sustainer, the Beginning and End...it is that God to Whom we cry out in times of need. It is that God to Whom we bring our "trifling" problems. It is that God to Whom we can tell our innermost fears and hurts. It is that God to Whom we cry "Abba, Father". The all-powerful God is our Friend, our Father. And He listens.

How would true belief in these facts change how I live my life on a daily basis? What changes should I see today if I were to believe this?

A Great Temple for a Great God

2 Chronicles 2:5 "And the house which I build is great: for great is our God above all gods."

Solomon would spare no expense as he put his entire heart and soul into building the temple. Whatever it took, Solomon was willing because he understood Who God is and that He was worthy. 

We no longer worship in a temple, because, as Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 3:16 "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?" We are the temple, the Holy God dwells in His children. Emanuel, God is with us, right now. 

We would do well to ask ourselves, if we are the temple of the Living God, are we building a great house for our great God? How do we build ourselves into a temple worthy of the King of Kings?

No matter what we do, we must begin by realizing what Solomon knew - 2 Chronicles 2:6 "But who is able to build him an house, seeing the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain him? who am I then, that I should build him an house, save only to burn sacrifice before him?"

All we can do is our best out of a loving, humble, and surrendered heart. Let us begin with that.