God
demonstrates His commendation of His people’s actions and faithfulness, in many
different ways. The common denominator in all of them is the blessings He gives
by His presence and glory, as the reality and power of His Spirit and holiness
becomes manifest in their lives. The instance in our text is a sublime example
of God’s pleasure being expressed and visited on Solomon as in faith and
obedience, he established the temple for the worship of Yahwah, in Jerusalem. A
similar manifestation of God, took place when the tabernacle was dedicated by
Moses in the wilderness. In both cases, God marked His approbation, by sending
a fire from heaven, which consumed the sacrifices. The response from the people
in both cases, was to fall on their faces in honour and worship to the Lord, as
they saw the might power of His glory, and experienced the touch of His
presence and the perfection of His holiness! It is an occasion for great
rejoicing among God’s people when such blessing and visitation from God takes
place. We are so privileged to live in a time when God’s Spirit indwells us as
believers, making us, our beings, the very temple of God and His abode! What an honour to know and feel God so intimately and personally! We may not see the
fire fall down from heaven and burn up the offering physically, but we can
experience the fire from heaven just the same, spiritually. The effect is alike
and the glory of the Lord is identical. He still wants to show His approval of
those who faithfully consecrated their temple to Him and for His use; those who
regularly offer themselves on the altar of prayer and worship; those who
treasure the presence of the Lord and desire His holiness so much that they go
about as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God! God is still the same,
loving, caring, blessing and enriching God, willing to show and give more of
His strength, wisdom and provision, to any faithful servant who will serve Him
and by faith please Him. God is faithful, He wants to bless, He desires to
commend and longs to reward. He has not changed in His desire, but have we
changed in ours? When was the last time, fire from heaven purified your soul,
and God’s glory filled your temple?
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