2 Chronicles 7 - 4.15.25

SCRIPTURE:  2 Chronicles 7:1-3  "When Solomon finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the Lord filled the temple. The priests could not enter the temple of the Lord because the glory of the Lord filled it.  When all the Israelites saw the fire coming down and the glory of the Lord above the temple, they knelt on the pavement with their faces to the ground, and they worshiped and gave thanks to the Lord saying, "He is good; His love endures forever."

OBSERVATION:  Solomon's prayer was answered in a very powerful way! 

The Israelites responded by saying, "He is good, His love endures forever".  I'm pretty sure that would not have been my response!  Even though I know God is good and loving, I probably would have be terrified seeing that, and just started running as fast as I possibly could!    

The priests could not enter the temple because the glory of the Lord filled it!  Can you picture how awesome/scary that must have been to see fire coming down from heaven, and the glory of the Lord above the temple!  

Fire is one of the most powerful symbols used throughout the Bible.  It has been used to represent God's holiness and judgement.  In the Old Testament God used it to reveal Himself to Moses in the burning bush.  God also used it to symbolize His wrath when He rained down fire on Sodom and Gomorrah.  In the New Testament fire is used to represent purification, the Holy Spirit, and judgement.  On the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit appeared as tongues of fire as it rested on the disciples, empowering them to spread the Gospel.  Fire also symbolizes eternal judgement, as in the lake of fire prepared for the devil and his followers.  The imagery of fire reminds us of God's greatness and His desire to make us holy, righteous, and pure. 

APPLICATION:  God cleanses, refines, and purifies our heart's.  "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."  (1 John 1:9).  

The fire that God sent which was continuously burning under the altar of burnt offering symbolized God's presence.  When we were born-again, God's abiding presence, and continual purifying power came into our lives. 

PRAYER: Thank You Lord for hearing our prayers, and for the awesome ways You demonstrate Your power through our prayers. I praise You and thank You Jesus for Your purifying power that makes us able to stand before Father God pure and holy because of what You did for us on the cross.  I pray Holy Spirit that You will put a fire in my heart that burns away everything that is not of You.  Just as Your eyes and Your heart were on the temple that Solomon built and dedicated to You, Your eyes and Your ears are attentive to the prayers which I offer up in faith from the temple of my heart that I dedicate to You. 

- Robin Orefice