Tuesday, August 17, 2021

Building Then Destroying

Scripture: But if you don’t follow me, if you refuse the laws I have given you and worship idols, then I will destroy my people from this land of mine that I have given them, and this Temple shall be destroyed even though I have sanctified it for myself. Instead, I will make it a public horror and disgrace. 2 Chronicles 7:19-20

Observation: Solomon builds the temple and prays the Lord for his forgiveness for their future sins. When the Lord appears to Solomon, he confirms and agrees with Solomon's prayer. He declares he will have his eye upon the temple and will look for their repentance when punished. Furthermore, if Solomon obeys the Lord, his descendants will rule Israel forever. However, if he fails to follow the law and if he worships idols, then God will destroy the people and will destroy the temple. It will become a sign of horror and disgrace.

Solomon ... eventually worships idols. His own son will lose half the kingdom, which will lead to a downward march that culminates in the total destruction of the temple. Solomon reigned 40 years. He spent the first 20 building the temple ... he spent the last 20 destroying the temple.

Application: The blessings of the Lord can easily be removed if I engage in idol worship. Repeatedly, this is the sin God actively hates. There must be nothing in my life that could be considered an item upon which I place my trust.

There may have been things I trusted in in the past, like my employment. That "faith" is gone. I also need to remember not to trust in my own abilities and knowledge. Given I understand very little of my current job, I think I will be okay in this regard.

I must not honor things I own or think more highly of myself due to them. These are gifts from the Lord.

I love my wife and my family, but again they are not superior because of me. They too are gifts and blessings. They are to be honored in the way that I am to honor the Lord and thus care for those things he has placed into my care.

The Lord has built my life. I must not destroy it.

Prayer: Lord, you are my God, and the only God. To you alone all glory and honor and praise will be lifted up by me and my family. I love you with my heart and soul and mind and strength, all the days of my life. May I honor you alone. Amen.

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