Promised Rest

Praise the LORD who has given rest to His people Israel, just as He promised. Not one word has failed of all the wonderful promises He gave through His servant Moses. 1 Kings 8:56

Replica of Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem

King Solomon was praising the Lord God at the time of the dedication of Temple that he had built in Jerusalem. The priests had just brought the Ark of the Covenant into the Holy of Holies and a cloud filled the house of the Lord (1 Kings 8:10). The presence of the Lord was with the assembly of the Israelites there in the Temple. Solomon stood before the alter of the Lord and prayed declaring that there is no other God like our God who keeps His covenant, shows lovingkindness and keeps His promises. He asked for forgiveness for Israel and for God to hear the prayers not only of the Israelites but also of the foreigners. After his prayer, Solomon praised the Lord who promised rest to His people, remembering that God had promised to give the Israelites rest when they entered the Promised Land.

But you will soon cross the Jordan River and live in the land the LORD your God is giving you. When He gives you rest from all your enemies and you're living safely in the land, you must bring everything I command you—your burnt offerings, your sacrifices, your tithes, your sacred offerings, and your offerings to fulfill a vow—to the designated place of worship, the place the LORD your God chooses for His name to be honored. Deuteronomy 12:10-11.

So the Israelites had a new and permanent designated place of worship when Solomon built the Temple. Rest as promised by the Lord had been provided. Solomon continued to bless the Israelites and the Lord.

Rest for the Israelites was safety and freedom from enemies. Rest to me is a time of a renewal—usually involves sleep—and is so important to healing. I’ve just recovered from a mid-winter sore throat and rest, beyond just a good night’s sleep, was essential. What is rest for you? Is it an absence of work or stress? When He gave Moses the Ten Commandments God instructed the Israelites to have a day of rest. May your find your rest in the Lord.

 Prayer ~ Lord God, I praise You for giving rest to Your people Israel and to each of us, just as You promised. May You be with us as You were with our ancestors; may You never leave us or abandon us. 1 Kings 8:56-57.

Bible Reading: January 5 – Job 6-9

© 2017 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted

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