Honoring God
Dedicating the Temple of God
Live in the light of God (Isaiah 2:5)
Solomon's Blessing
2 Chronicles 7:8-11 New Revised Standard Version
8 At that time Solomon held the festival for seven days, and all Israel with him, a very great congregation, from Lebo-hamath to the Wadi of Egypt. 9 On the eighth day they held a solemn assembly; for they had observed the dedication of the altar seven days and the festival seven days. 10 On the twenty-third day of the seventh month, he sent the people away to their homes, joyful and in good spirits because of the goodness that the Lord had shown to David and to Solomon and to his people Israel.
11 Thus Solomon finished the house of the Lord and the king’s house; all that Solomon had planned to do in the house of the Lord, and in his own house he successfully accomplished.
For Reflection
During my lifetime, I have participated in four church families. Many years ago, I took my young son to visit the first church I attended when I was about his age. It was dark, Gothic Lutheran architecture. As I walked into the sanctuary, warm memories of the smells of incense and the picture of the Sunday processional warmed my heart.
On the occasions when I returned to my boyhood home in Pennsylvania, I visited the Presbyterian church that guided my teenage years. It felt like home.
This Sunday the, Presbyterian Church that matured me in West Virginia will be closing its doors. I can still see Sam's face beaming. An octogenarian, his white hair parted in the center, and a dazzling smile from the salt salesman pulled me out of many of my self-pitying moods. He, without knowing it, oftentimes restored my soul.
Thirty years ago, my family and I were welcomed into the congregation of believers in Salem, Virginia. I knew immediately that the Spirit of the Lord was abiding and animating God's people here. After over 35 years, I still feel the warm comfort of my church home.
God's Churches, as imperfect a family as they may be, in peace or calamity, still manage to nurture us, the children of God.
Through the people of Grace, God is working His purpose out.
Pray
Praise God for His abiding Grace. Pray and contemplate the blessings that God brought you to in the Household of the Lord.
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