What's a Place Without God?
2 Chronicles 6:40, "Now, my God, let, I beseech thee, thine eyes be open, and let thine ears be attent unto the prayer that is made in this place."
Today's reading records the finishing of the temple, the moving of the ark of the covenant into the temple, and Solomon's message and prayer for God's blessing and presence to rest upon the people through the ministry of the temple. The temple was a magnificent building, yet I ask you this morning, what kind of place would it be without God? There are many magnificent houses of worship, but is the Lord in those places?
Solomon had a specific desire, and that was for God's presence to rest upon the temple, that the Lord would bless His people as they worshiped and served Him, and that His eyes would be open, and His ears attentive to the prayers that would be prayed in that place. God manifested Himself in the midst of the people. When they brought the ark of the covenant into the temple and set it in the holy place 2 Chronicles 4:14 says, "...for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of God." The temple was so filled with God's manifesting presence through the cloud that the "...priests could not stand to minister..." It is a blessing when God's presence stops us in the midst of our business, even when that business is spiritual. After Solomon's charge and prayer 2 Chronicles 7:1-2 states, "Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt-offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the LORD filled the house. 2 And the priests could not enter into the house of the LORD, because the glory of the LORD had filled the LORD'S house."
So I ask, "what do we have if we don't have God?" What's a place without God? What's your life without God, your home, your church, your business? Nothing is more important than living life with God's hand of blessing resting upon you and the places where you abide! Heaven, what would it be without God? The center piece of Heaven is God's presence, "And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. 23 And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof." (Revelation 21:22-23)
Don't forget the words of David found in Psalm 16:11, "Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore." What's a place without God?
Your Friend and HIS,
Pastor Abbott
QUESTIONS TO PONDER
1. What would it profit you to gain the whole world and lose your own soul?
2. Contrast life with God and life without God?
3. Is your joy full because of God's presence in your life?
4. How do you know God is present in your home, your church, and even your work place?