Lasso of Truth

II Chronicles 4-6

Chapter 4

v5 "like a lily blossom" Pretty imagery.

v17 This is a very cool bit of detail as far as the actual process is concerned.  They cast the metal objects in the clay of the ground.  I'm picturing them making an impression in the ground, and then pouring the molten bronze into that.

Chapter 5

v1 That must have been a fulfilling day.

v13 It was the trumpet, singers, cymbals, and instruments, playing in unison and praising His name that invited the presence of the Lord to enter the house.

Next time I'm singing in church with the rest of the local Body, I'm going to imagine the building filling with the cloud of His presence, invited by the sound of our voices and instruments--with such weight that I can't even stand.  That is so powerful.  If I knew how to write songs, I would write one about this.

Chapter 6

v1-11 Speeches like this one are valuable.  To build on your ability or willingness to trust God, start by remembering how He has already been faithful to you.  How He has kept promises, and has taken care of your needs through the years.  Make a list.  Put it somewhere you can see it all the time.  Trust comes more easily through remembrance.

v14 When I first started reading this prayer of dedication, I thought, Man! Solomon is a little bossy with the God of the Universe!  But all of the things that Solomon asks of Him are things that God has promised--faithfulness, listening to prayers, forgiveness...  These are also actions that a king might decide he is qualified to carry out.  Through his words, Solomon is dedicating this place as God's to reign.

v40 "Now, Oh my God, I pray, let Your eyes be open and Your ears be attentive to the prayer that is offered in this place."

Wouldn't that be a beautiful way to start off a prayer session?

Next time: II Chronicles 7-10

 

II Chronicles 1-3

Welcome to II Chronicles, y'all!  Since most of the information in this book is review and repetition from previous books, we are going to approach it much in the same way as we did I Chronicles.  I plan to read through fairly quickly, pausing to reflect on perspective that wasn't explained before, or new insight that God shares.

Chapter 1

v10 Solomon's request wasn't just noble.  It was extremely humble. He saw his task as too great to do well without the wisdom of the Lord.

This is how we should be approaching parenthood, or any sort of leadership task facing us.

Chapter 2

v5-6 I love Solomon's perspective of God.

I find this life to be counter-active to true belief in God.  We can know about Him, serve Him, trust Him, etc without truly believing in Him.  I have to continually remind myself who He is, who I am serving, and ask whether my actions show that I actually believe Him to be who He says He is.

"Who is able to build a house for Him, for the heavens and the highest heavens cannot contain Him?"

But Solomon doesn't find service to God pointless either!  He continues on, doing whatever part he can--and leading his people to do the same.

v13-14 This description to Huram-abi is a amazing.  Look at the talent this guy has!  We should be eager to hone our natural abilities and gifts.  There is no telling how God will use them!

Chapter 3

v4-10 All this stuff overlaid with gold... Were they hammering it on in thin sheets? Dipping it in molten gold?  I'm curious.

v17 Seems funny to name pillars.  I would have been more likely to name the cherubim.

 

Next time: II Chronicles 4-6