So that all the peoples of the earth may know that the Lord is God! — 1 Kings 8:56–61
May this be our hearts cry and the primary reason for everything we do.
Solomon finished building the Temple of God. David had saved up for years, Solomon had invested great wealth and time and energy to have the temple built.
Listen to his dedication to the temple:
1 Kings 8:56–59 (NIV84): Praise be to the Lord,.. Not one word has failed of all the good promises he gave through his servant Moses. May the Lord our God be with us as he was with our fathers; may he never leave us nor forsake us. May he turn our hearts to him, to walk in all his ways… And may these words of mine, which I have prayed before the Lord, be near to the Lord our God day and night, that he may uphold the cause of his servant and the cause of his people Israel according to each day’s need,
Why bless us? Why should He take care of us? Is this simply for our comfort and our quality of life? Or is there something more than this life here? Are there others who may need to know God?
Look at why this temple is so important why God’s blessing on His people is important.
1 Kings 8:60 (NIV84): so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the Lord is God and that there is no other.
How do we become witnesses to the world? How will the world know we are His people?
1 Kings 8:61 (NIV84): But your hearts must be fully committed to the Lord our God, to live by his decrees and obey his commands…
Do we just want God’s blessings for ourselves, or is there something greater?
Is the call to obey and to live a holy life about us getting God’s blessing or about showcasing God to the world?
There is so much more here, but again, I ask myself, is my life focused on having the whole world know that the Lord is God?
