Bible Copy Club is a daily email containing a short 5-10 verse passage from the Bible for you to copy by hand. Join 100’s of others around the world building an eternal legacy in 5 minutes per day. BCC is God's word in your hand.
The order of restoration
MeditationReader, I've highlighted a key phrase in today's passage. Solomon is praying to God and calling on His promises, and at the same time, making it clear to his human listeners, that they must repent, before restoration. A repentant heart is the precursor for forgiveness and restoration to relationship with God. Solomon is asking for forgiveness when people's eyes are opened to their sin. Then "hear from heaven" and restore them. Likewise, Solomon pleads for "foreigners" who have come from distant lands, that they may know and glorify God. Words that, again, seem to be for the benefit of his human hearers. Today's text is 1 Kings 8: 37-43 and will take about 8-10 minutes to copy. Solomon's Prayer of Dedication“When famine or plague comes to the land, or blight or mildew, locusts or grasshoppers, or when an enemy besieges them in any of their cities, whatever disaster or disease may come, and when a prayer or plea is made by anyone among your people Israel—being aware of the afflictions of their own hearts, and spreading out their hands toward this temple— then hear from heaven, your dwelling place. Forgive and act; deal with everyone according to all they do, since you know their hearts (for you alone know every human heart), so that they will fear you all the time they live in the land you gave our ancestors. “As for the foreigner who does not belong to your people Israel but has come from a distant land because of your name— for they will hear of your great name and your mighty hand and your outstretched arm—when they come and pray toward this temple, then hear from heaven, your dwelling place. Do whatever the foreigner asks of you, so that all the peoples of the earth may know your name and fear you, as do your own people Israel, and may know that this house I have built bears your Name. EncouragementFor the second time in this prayer Solomon has asked God to discern the human heart for "you alone know every human heart"; Judge between your servants, condemning the guilty by bringing down on their heads what they have done, and vindicating the innocent by treating them in accordance with their innocence. (Verse 32) These pleas seem especially personal. As the King, he is the ultimate temporal judge of his people. Making this prayer, both deeply personal and absolutely universal. Andy |
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Bible Copy Club is a daily email containing a short 5-10 verse passage from the Bible for you to copy by hand. Join 100’s of others around the world building an eternal legacy in 5 minutes per day. BCC is God's word in your hand.
Meditation Reader, Up to this point, the blessings and benefits of wisdom have been stated as benefits to a life well lived. Health, vibrant life and freedom from fear. Now as the writer reaches the conclusion of this proverb he states a series of commands. A series of admonitions that provide specific instructions on things to avoid. Notably, they are aimed specifically at personal relationships. How you treat those around you, your neighbors is an accurate index of the state of your...
Meditation Reader, Today's lines show that wisdom is sewn into the fabric of the universe. It lies at the foundation of the world and conditions our daily environment. To live outside of God's wisdom is to flout the very laws that govern our ordered universe. It's beyond foolish, inviting chaos, first your foot may stumble, but eventually if you continue on you'll become snared. Today's text is Proverbs 3: 19-26. I've provided yesterday's lines for context and catch-up in grey. Proverbs 3 13...
Meditation Reader, Today's passage begins and ends with the word "blessed." To find wisdom is to be blessed. Following on from the encouragement to humbly trust the Lord’s instruction and discipline, today's passage increases in emotional intensity. Wisdom is not only more precious than anything else we can gain on earth but also is the way to true peace and abundant life. Today's text is Proverbs 3 : 13-18. I've included yesterday's verses in grey for context and catch up. Proverbs 3 Blessed...