May 24th~Fire From Heaven

1 Kings 8:54-66


2 Chronicles 7:1-10

1 Kings 9:1-9


2 Chronicles 7:11-22

1 Kings 9:10-14

Solomon and the people of Israel finished dedicating the Temple and giving prayers, offerings, and sacrifices. The Lord responded by sending fire from heaven to consume the offerings and sacrifices, and, then, He filled the Temple with His glorious presence. When the people saw that the Lord was with them, they fell to the ground and worshiped and praised Him. What a scene that must have been!

It is important to note that this event highlighted Solomon’s twentieth year as King (2 Chronicles 8:1). So far, he had followed in his father’s footsteps and led Israel to follow God. We shall see what Solomon chooses to do in the second half of his reign. However, since this event marked the midway point, the Lord visited him a second time and gave him a stern warning. “If you follow Me with integrity and godliness, al- ways obeying My commands and keeping My laws and regulations, then I will establish the throne of your dynasty forever... But, if you abandon me and disobey My commands, and if you go and worship other gods, then I will uproot the people of Israel from this land, reject this Temple, and make Israel a mockery among the nations” (1 Kings 9:1-9). These words were very similar to the Lord’s warning to Israel through Moses (Deuteronomy 29:24-28).

We will follow Solomon’s fateful decisions another day. Today I’d like to reflect on the prayer that he made at the Temple (1 Kings 8:54-61). In it are some truths about our God that I think are encouraging. First, God is utterly reliable. “Not one word has failed of all the wonderful promises God gave to Moses” (v.56). Second, God’s past faithfulness gives us confidence for the future. “May the Lord our God be with us as He was with our ancestors” (v.57). Third, the motivation to follow God comes from Him not us. “May He give us the desire to do

His will...” (v.58). Next, we need the Lord’s help every day. “The Lord our God fulfills our daily needs” (v.59). Finally, our walk with Him is not about gaining attention for ourselves but for Him. “May people all over the earth know that the Lord is God and that there is no other” (v.60).

Daily Reflection

Look back over these five truths. Which one resonates with you most today? Explain why.

While I love and appreciate all of these truths, the one that resonates with me is that my motivation to follow and serve the Lord must come from Him and not me. Just as He had to give me the faith to believe in Him, and just as He has given me a love for Him, His Church, and His Word, so also must He give me the passion or the desire to carry on. Sometimes, I must admit, I grow weary of living the Christian life, of pouring into others, of doing the Lord’s work. I may even experience near burn out, but as I pray and seek His face, as I spend time with Him, He has always been faithful to “send fire from heaven” and rekindle my flame.

Solomon finished his prayer of dedication, “May you, His people, always be faithful to the Lord your God” (v.61). Knowing these five truths about your God, what is your response to Him?

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