1 Kings 8

Read 1 Kings 8 – Dedicating the Temple – This was a grand celebration.  King Solomon sacrificed abundantly before bringing the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant into the temple(8:5).  And when it was finally in its resting place, beneath the wings of the cherubim in the Most Holy Place, the temple filled with smoke(8:11).  Wow!  God was with them, filling the Temple with His own purifying presence.   Solomon prays, with rich acknowledgment of God, earnest petitions, and he asked for the desire to do God’s will in everything(8:58).  Desire is key to self-control, with God – or lack of self-control, without God.  Where does your desire lead you?  Submit it to the Lord.  The prayer was followed by offerings (8:64), and concluded with the Festival of Shelters in the presence of the Lord, and the people went to their homes joyful.  Beloved, may you be keenly aware to walk in the presence of the Lord, and may your joy spill onto everyone around you.