December 6, 2010

2 Chronicles 6:12-42

Is it not astonishing that Solomon could have such an accurate view of the realities of life and yet have been so wayward at times? Listen to what he says, “But will God indeed dwell with men on the earth?” Certainly part of Solomon’s thinking was in reference to space. Even in dedicating the temple, he said, “Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain You. How much less this temple which I have built!” How can the glory of God be contained to a temple? It cannot! But it partially can be seen there. The glory of the Lord overflowed the temple. It was to here that Solomon called out to the Lord saying, “Now therefore, Arise, O Lord God, to Your resting place, You and the ark of Your strength. Let Your priests, O Lord God, be clothed with salvation, And let Your saints rejoice in goodness.” He recognized that God could dwell with men if the right steps were taken. He calls upon the Lord to do so.

However, as the writer of Hebrews tells us, these were only shadows of things to come in Jesus. His temple is now His people. He no longer dwells with us but in us. No longer are a select few priests, but now we are all priests. No longer do we grope for Him in darkness, but we are able to enter His light. Listen to how Peter put it in 1 Peter 2: 5,9:

5you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. . . 9But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

Is it not astonishing that we can understand this concept and yet be so wayward at times? We have opportunity for the living God to let His glory shine in and through us. Do we call out to Him saying, “Arise O Lord God, to Your resting place?” Do we yield control to Him, so that He may do that. Why don’t we? Maybe if we did, we would see His glory! Indeed we serve a glorious King. Speak His glory to someone today!

--Pastor john

1 John 5

I remember in 5th grade U.S. History reading about the Spanish explorers and conquistadors. Ponce de Leon was the first to traverse the Florida peninsula and what is now southeast United States. In addition to many other purposes he was searching for the Fount of Youth. Apparently he had heard some witness of the Fount of Youth existing somewhere in the jungles or everglades of Florida. He and his men overcame much opposition in order to accomplish their purposes. Some of their purposes were accomplished. But obviously he never found the Fount of Youth. Apparently the witness was false.

The glory of our Lord is such that He is Life. He is the water and the blood that brings life. Can you imagine what it would be like if Ponce de Leon had found the Fount of Youth. Think of it. We would be perpetually young. You may be thinking, "Wow that would be great to feel like I did when I was 18." But can you think what it would be like to be perpetually young, if we remained as we are now? We would be perpetually at war, perpetually selfish, perpetually not understanding righteousness, perpetually in sin. Now in contrast, when Jesus brings us life, He brings the ability to truly love. He brings the ability to overcome the sin of this world. He brings the ability to live righteously. He brings the right to become His child. As His child we gain the ability to not sin. That is the eternal life in which I want to participate. The sort that Ponce de Leon and the rest of the world is looking for is not really life. It is eternal death. Death that goes on forever and ever. Jesus is the true God and eternal life. Indeed we serve a glorious King! Speak His glory to someone today!

--Pastor John