God talks to Solomon

2 Chronicles Chapter 7

After Solomon finished praying, fire flashed down from heaven and burned up the burnt offerings and sacrifices, and the glorious presence of the Lord filled the Temple. The priests could not even enter the Temple because the glorious presence of the Lord filled it. When the people saw the fire coming down and the glorious presence fill the Temple, they fell on their faces and worshipped and praised the Lord saying, "He is so good. His faithful love endures forever!"

Then the king and people offered sacrifices of 22,000 oxen and 120,000 sheep. The priests took positions and the Levites sang and had the accompaniment of instruments. Then Solomon dedicated the central area in front of the Temple, because the bronze altar he built could not hold such huge burnt offerings. So the next seven days the people celebrated the Festival of Shelters and came from as far away as Lebo-hamath in the north, to the brook of Egypt in the south.

So Solomon finished building the Temple and the palace. One night, the Lord appeared to him and told him that he heard the prayers and chose the Temple as the place for sacrifices. God further told him that he might send a drought or have locusts devour the crops or send plague. But if the people would humble themselves and pray and turn from their wicked ways, he would hear them and forgive them and heal their land. Further, the Lord told Solomon that he should follow the Lord as his father David did and obey all his commands. Then he would not let anyone take away the throne. This was the same promise he made to David, that he would always have a successor who ruled over Israel.

But the Lord warned Solomon that if he abandoned him or disobeyed the commandments or worshipped other idols, then he would uproot the people of Israel from the land and would reject the temple and make it a spectacle of contempt and an appalling sight to all who pass by.

BIBLE NOTES SHOW: Months, maybe even years had passed since Solomon's prayer of dedication (in chapter 6). During this time several other building projects had been completed. Do we wonder if Solomon had expected immediate answers to his prayers? How often do we wonder if God has heard us?? We must trust that God will answer at the proper time.

HOW DOES THIS CHAPTER RELATE TO US TODAY? This chapter holds several things that grip our attention. The references to "TEMPLE"
reminds us that God wishes us to treat our bodies as "temples" and we should use our bodies to carry out God's purpose.

Following God brings benefits and rewards. Turning from him, brings suffering, punishment and ultimately destruction. Today, God's conditions are just as clear as they were in Solomon's time. Choose to obey and follow God and live!

Yours in Christ,
Mary

Prayer Requests are needed for:
HEALTH:
Update on my niece Suzanne, she is healing but her leg was crushed and will take many months of doctoring. She is in a nursing home for rehab care. Pray for her healing. Also Gabe, Wanda, Janice Long’s parents. especially her mother whose cancer has returned, and Arlene’s nephew David. Pray for my neighbor Al who is nearing the end of his life. Pray for Carolyn’s brother Ronald who has cancer. Pray for our friend Michelle who was diagnosed with MS. Pray for Cyndi Sullivan who was given 14 months to live with cancer, but has made it six years. The pain has returned and she needs our prayers.
UPDATE on Barb who went in for back surgery and had a heart attack and stroke, she has 90 percent of her speech back and is home , but continues to have a problem with one arm and hand. She will require long therapy and insurance may soon be a problem since her job was not held for her.
Pray for Robert Sargent with lung cancer and Marthaline Sargent with serious health issues..
Pray for Carolyn’s friend Margaret and her husband who were in a car accident. As elderly drivers they may face a life change which may cost them their independence. Let’s all raise our voices to God to hear our prayers.
Pray for the speedy recovery of Sandy in Minnesota who underwent successful brain surgery for a tumor recently.
SPIRITUAL UPLIFTING: Gail, Mary
RESTORATION OF FAITH: Al, John
LOVE AND SUPPORT: Claire, Hunter, Brian
SUPPORT: Haiti, Chile, survivors of Japan’s earthquake, survivors of the devastating tornadoes in our southernmost states and Joplin, Missouri. Pray too, for our country’s leaders and our military people who die each day for our freedom.