7:13-8:13 - We read about
‘the silver’ and ‘the gold’. We are called to choose between the life of
fruitful service - ‘gold, silver, precious stones’ - and the unfruitful
life - ‘wood, hay, straw’ (51; 1 Corinthians 3:12-15). We read of ‘the
ark of the covenant of the Lord’ being ‘brought to its place, in the
inner sanctuary of the House, in the most holy place. We are told that
the glory of the Lord filled the House of the Lord’ (6,11). The glory of
the Lord fills the House of the Lord whenever the Word of God is
honoured by the people of God. Jesus Christ is the Word of God (John
1:1,14). The glory of the Lord fills the House of the Lord when Christ
is given the place of highest honour among the people of God. Do you
want to experience God’s glory? Honour His Word. Love His Son - the Lord
Jesus Christ.
8:14-53 - The person who leads us in
worship, the place where we worship or the God whom we worship - Which
is the most important? We know what our answer should be. No person or
place is more important than the Lord. Often, we take our eyes off the
Lord. Solomon directs our attention to the Lord. Leading ‘all the
assembly of Israel’ in worship, he says, ‘Blessed be the Lord’ (14-15).
The glory does not belong to Solomon. It belongs to the Lord. In his
prayer, Solomon contrasts the place where we worship with the God whom
we worship: ‘Heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain Thee; how much
less this House which I have built!’ (27). We must think big thoughts
about God. He is ‘the God of Israel’ (15,17,20,23,25-26). He is more
than that. He is our God. He loves all nations (Isaiah 45:22; 49:6; Acts 13:47; John 3:16).
8:54-9:28 - What is happening when we are gathered together for worship? Is this merely a human thing, something which we
do? No! - There is something more. God is at work. He is there to
‘incline our hearts to Him…’(58). Before we have gathered, God is there,
waiting for us, ready to speak His Word: ‘Let your heart be wholly true
to the Lord your God…’ (61). God wants us to be holy. He wants us to be
wholly true to Him. Holiness is no ‘kill joy’ affair. It is a life of
joy and gladness (66). There is here a very important lesson: Seek
holiness and you will find happiness. Seek happiness in yourself and you
will not find it: ‘If you turn aside from following Me’, you ‘will
become a heap of ruins’ (6-8). What a mess we make of things when we
forget about God! Let’s ‘walk before Him with integrity of heart’ (4).
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