Mondays with Matt: Life Together
Fast forward a few hundred years later...two kings of Israel plan and build this incredible sanctuary or temple to God. Not sure if God asked them to build something of that size and magnitude, but it was truly a sight to behold (I Chronicles 28 – 2 Chronicles 6).
As much as it was an incredible structure, Solomon was more in awe of God!
2 Chronicles 6:18 reads:
“But will God really dwell on earth with humans? The heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain you. How much less this temple I have built! Yet, Lord my God, give attention to your servant’s prayer and his plea for mercy. Hear the cry and the prayer that your servant is praying in your presence. May your eyes be open toward this temple day and night, this place of which you said you would put your Name there. May you hear the prayer your servant prays toward this place."
How did God respond to this prayer? (2 Chronicles 7)
Fire from the heavens (vs 1)
Glory fills the temple that the priests cannot stay in it (vs 2)
People fell facedown and worshipped (vs 3)
Housewarming déjà vu all over again!
Within 400 years, the magnificent temple that Solomon built, is destroyed and the people of Israel have been taken into captivity. The people have chosen to not be with God, despite numerous warnings through his prophets. They learn some hard lessons while in captivity in foreign lands.
And yet, God never forsakes them. Through all the warnings from the prophets, God continues to give them hope. In Hosea 2 starting in v.16, it reads:
“In that day,” declares the Lord, “you will call me ‘my husband’; you will no longer call me ‘my master…. I will betroth you to me forever; I will betroth you in righteousness and justice, in love and compassion. I will betroth you in faithfulness, and you will acknowledge the Lord.
Boy, I can write a whole chapter on this!
One of the biggest misconceptions I had of God was that He was disappointed with me.
I knew He loved me, but meh…. disappointed at some of my thoughts and actions. Disappointment would indicate that God’s reaction changes with my actions. That would also mean that His love is not unconditional. I wrestled with this misconception until I came to an emotional understanding, (not solely intellectual), that God is NOT disappointed with me. It changed my walk with God!
How often do we wonder if God is with us when we struggle?
Is God giving us a thumbs up or thumbs down about how He feels about us?
Does God change how He feels about us when we sin?
Notice in Hosea 2, God promises to be faithful to us……. He doesn’t ask for our faithfulness…wow!
"Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God
Oh, it chases me down,
fights 'til I'm found, leaves the 99
And I couldn't earn it
I don't deserve it, still You give yourself away
Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God"