Now here is a mystery that I have puzzled over time and time again. God's name dwells in the temple, but he hears our prayers from heaven. What does it mean for God's name to dwell in the temple? The temple was built for God's name. Solomon reminds the people that this temple built by human hands can in no way contain the LORD. God is bigger than all this. Again... It is God's name, not His whole being (if that word might be used) that dwells there.
Yet, the whole assembly of Israel gathers at the temple to hear Solomon dedicate the temple and to bless the people. I like this: "all the assembly of Israel." (ESV) I often wonder what would happen if every member of every Christian congregation in the world would assemble for worship even for just one Sunday (or whatever day your congregation worships together). Can you imagine that! Can you imagine all of God's people worshipping, and praying, and praising God all on the same day, at the same time? I think this would definitely be pleasing to the LORD. After all that He has done for us, don't we love Him enough for that to happen?
We can be so like the spoiled child, whose parents give all they can so that there children will have the best of everything and all their children do is complain. They still never have exactly what they want and can't always do exactly what they want to do. And why would that be? Because parents know that it would not always be in the best interest of their children to give them some of the things they desire.
Oh, but if we, as the assembly of God's people, could only celebrate and give thanks for the gifts and opportunities that God, our Father, has given to us. What a difference that would make for the world!
Yet, the whole assembly of Israel gathers at the temple to hear Solomon dedicate the temple and to bless the people. I like this: "all the assembly of Israel." (ESV) I often wonder what would happen if every member of every Christian congregation in the world would assemble for worship even for just one Sunday (or whatever day your congregation worships together). Can you imagine that! Can you imagine all of God's people worshipping, and praying, and praising God all on the same day, at the same time? I think this would definitely be pleasing to the LORD. After all that He has done for us, don't we love Him enough for that to happen?
We can be so like the spoiled child, whose parents give all they can so that there children will have the best of everything and all their children do is complain. They still never have exactly what they want and can't always do exactly what they want to do. And why would that be? Because parents know that it would not always be in the best interest of their children to give them some of the things they desire.
Oh, but if we, as the assembly of God's people, could only celebrate and give thanks for the gifts and opportunities that God, our Father, has given to us. What a difference that would make for the world!
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