June 14

Psalm 134, 146-150
Solomon had just finished the temple, so it was now a time for worship in song and praise to God.  Many of our modern praise songs have come from these psalms.  It is truly a joyful time when God’s people lift up their voices in praise to our Lord.  I don’t really mean to be negative, but lately I have found that many Christians don’t really sing in our assemblies.  I wonder why.  Is the music too loud?  Are the songs not familiar?  Are they self-conscious?  I don’t know the answers.  However, I do know that at any time when God’s people lift up their voices in praise to Him, it is a joyful noise unto Him.  God loves to hear us sing.  It doesn’t matter if it’s good or bad.  He’s listening to the heart.  When our daughters were young, our youngest daughter, Brook, was very self-conscious, not believing that she had a good voice.  I was finally able to trick her into letting me record her singing a hymn.  I don’t need to tell you how precious that recording is to me.  I love to hear my children sing, simply because they are my children.  If I, being a mortal man, can find so much joy in my children singing, just imagine how much God enjoys hearing His children singing!  So, next time you’re at an assembly of the saints, sing out with all your heart, just as if you were singing to God, face-to-face, because you are!

June 13

   
2 Chronicles 6-7; Psalm 136
God agrees to Solomon's terms, knowing that the people will sin. He affirms His enduring love and grace by promising to forgive when repentance is evident. However, He also lets Solomon know that a time will come when Israel rejects God and the temple will be destroyed because of their disobedience. We have the vantage point of history to see the fulfillment of this prophecy in the Babylonian captivity, and then again in AD 70 because they rejected God's chosen Messiah. Yet, even from this perspective, Israel still refuses to repent and embrace the God of their fathers. It's serious business to turn from God! He has revealed His express will, providing a Savior for all. If we choose to reject Jesus Christ, there is no other name by which we can be saved. I would echo Paul's prayer that Israel would repent, taking on the name of Jesus, and embrace the new covenant ratified by His blood. Even though I know that Israel has brought misery upon themselves, I also know that it isn't too late to heed the voice of God and accept His Son, the Lord, Jesus Christ!

June 12

   
1 Kings 8; 2 Chronicles 5
Wow! A fourteen day celebration to dedicate the temple in Jerusalem! How great is that!? Solomon was proud of this structure, and rightly so. He could see God's hand in it, from beginning to end. So, he gives the praise and honor to the Architect of all creation. In doing so, he also intercedes for the children of God. He wisely concedes that His people will sin. It is not a question of if; it is only a question of when. Therefore, Solomon appeals to the mercy of God, realizing that Israel's only hope lies in the grace of the Father. Solomon is confident in the love of God. He has witnessed that great love and mercy as it was showered upon his father, David. He understands that if, at any time, the sinner will acknowledge his sin before God, with a broken and contrite heart, that the Lord will forgive and restore. God has always been about the business of transformation. When we will humbly place ourselves in His hands, He will mold us and shape us to be the creature He would have us to be, and we will be eternally blessed!

June 11

1 Kings 7; 2 Chronicles 4
One cannot help but be impressed with the work and wealth that was put into the building of the temple.  Solomon carried out his father’s wishes to the letter, and added his own wealth and wisdom to the project.  There have been a lot of artist renderings on how the temple may have looked.  I suspect that they all fall short.  The temple, although not housing God, was a testament to the faith of His people.  When the nations would look upon this structure they were impressed.  I wonder what the world thinks when they look upon our places of worship.  Do our structures give a positive reflection of our faith?  One of the first weddings I performed was at a church that had a nice looking building.  However, the groom-to-be asked a difficult question.  He wanted to know why there were no religious symbols.  This particular building didn’t have even so much as a cross in sight.  I suppose the reason was because they didn’t want to have anything that could be associated with an idol.  Sometimes we go too far in trying to avoid appearances that are counter to our faith.  We need to remember that it isn’t the structure that makes an idol.  It is the worship of the structure.  Let’s be careful that in avoiding one appearance, we don’t project a negative witness.

June 10

   
1 Kings 5-6; 2 Chronicles 2-3
As Solomon sets out to build the temple, he does so with full knowledge that God does not dwell in temples made with human hands. However, he does see the temple as a suitable place to offer sacrifices to God, a good place to worship. The same is still true. God dwells in the temple of our hearts, His creation. However, we come together, at appointed times, in specified buildings, with other Christians, to praise and worship our Lord. Solomon recognized the temple as a holy place because of the activity that would take place there. Thus, he poured a lot of resources into the temple. How many resources are we putting into our temple? How much do we put into preparation for worship and praise to God?

June 9

Proverbs 22-24
Solomon advises his son to steer away from revenge.  This is very counter to modern thought.  Movies, television shows, books, all promote revenge.  The old saying, “Don’t get mad, just get even” is the common mantra.  Yet, when revenge is exacted nothing is accomplished.  One is left feeling empty, instead of fulfilled.  There isn’t anything to be gained.  When Osama Bin Laden was killed, many rejoiced in the immediate aftermath.  However, it didn’t take long before most of us realized that we had gained nothing.  His death didn’t bring back the nearly 3,000 souls who lost their lives on 9/11.  Revenge wasn’t sweet, it was just final.  The terrorists are still out there.  They still want to kill the American “infidels.”  Instead of revenge, Bin Laden’s death should be viewed as justice – nothing more, nothing less.  When justice is done, something has been accomplished, and we can feel good about it.  Some might say I’m splitting hairs, but motive is everything when it comes to guilt.  I have no guilt when being a party to justice.  However, when I seek revenge, I am as guilty as the party I am exacting vengeance from.

June 8

Proverbs 19-21
There is an old pop song with the lyrics: “Oh, but I was so much older then, I’m younger than that now.”  Many of us can relate to those words.  When I was very young, it was difficult to teach me anything, because I already knew everything.  It was only with a little age and experience that I discovered how little I know.  Had I heeded the wise man’s words, life might have been a little easier.  “Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise.”  Proverbs 19:20  Fortunately, I was able to learn this valuable lesson in my twenties.  Some never learn it and go through life learning everything the hard way.  A wise man who was my boss stopped me one day when he was trying to discipline me.  He said, “Rod, if you would just quit making excuses, admit when you’re wrong, and get on with it, your life would be so much better.”  He was right.  When I quit making excuses and started accepting the advice of those who were older, wiser, and more experienced, life did get better.  I’m sixty-three, and I still find myself listening to the advice of others, and accepting discipline that sometimes accompanies the advice.  I don’t know if I can say that I am counted among the wise, but I feel pretty confident in saying that I’m not numbered with the foolish.