Friday, April 30, 2021

THE GLORY OF THE LORD

Today’s Reading: 1 Kings 8

Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).

 

This replica of the Ark of the Covenant is in the Quick Study TV studios in Orangeville, Ontario. Here host Rod Hembree and his team bring a daily through-the-Bible teaching.

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.

 

Key Verse: 1 Kings 8:11

…so that the priests could not continue ministering because of the cloud; for the glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord.

Solomon’s Temple was undoubtedly one of the wonders of the world. It was to stand for 500 years until its destruction by the Babylonian King, Nebuchadnezzar. The glory of this magnificent building faded into insignificance when the people were confronted by the One Who is worthy of all glory, honour and power. The Presence of God so filled this place that those in the building collapsed to the floor, unable to stand.
The Ark of the Covenant was brought to the Temple from the place where it had been housed in a tent in David’s city, located on the southern slope of Mt. Moriah, the hill where (Jeru) Salem, the city of Melchisedek, was located (Genesis 14:18-20). It is also where Abraham brought his son, Isaac (Genesis 22:1-14). What a glorious celebration! Let us celebrate today that God, Himself, is present with us. While it would’ve been an amazing experience to be in Jerusalem on the occasion of the dedication of the Temple, it’s so very much greater to be in God’s presence right here, right now!

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, I bow in Your holy presence. I ask that You will reveal Your glory to me in whatever way You think is best. I know that You are revealed in all Your fullness in Jesus. Of Him, John wrote, “We beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” Dear Jesus, be Lord of my life now and forever. Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

My friend, Rod Hembree of Orangeville, Ontario, was our senior producer for the 100 Huntley Street telecast for several years. His dad, Rev. Ron Hembree, who has gone ahead of us to Heaven, often hosted 100 Huntley Street in my absence. Check out Rod’s video teaching series, Quick Study here. I find it interesting that Rod has a replica of the “Ark” pictured above.

Crossroads played a major role in famine relief in Ethiopia back in the 1980’s. The Ethiopian Orthodox Churches all have a replica of the Ark of the Covenant behind the altar. They have a tradition that the original Ark is hidden in their country. They confirm that the only items in the Ark are the tablets of stone on which the Ten Commandments are written. Our reading today also confirms that the Ark no longer contains the pot of manna and Aaron’s wooden rod that budded. Stephen Mengesha, heir to the throne of Halle Selassie of Ethiopia, (all other male members of the ruling family were executed in a communist coup – Stephen was studying in Toronto at the time) says that only one priest and the reigning Emperor are allowed to see the Ark. Perhaps sometime in the future this traditional belief will be proven true… or not.

Yours for the ongoing presence of God,

David

9 thoughts on “Friday, April 30, 2021

  1. Such beautiful, rich and meaningful scripture. “We hear from heaven, our dwelling place.” Ever thankful for Your Holy Word, Lord God. You will never leave us nor forsake us. Wishing everyone a Happy Friday, despite the dreary, achy weather. Praying for Ger. Amen.

    Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.
    Proverbs 13:12 ESV

    Rend Collective – Joy Of The Lord (Lyrics And Chords)
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3gLeCiMJqI

  2. I think it is a great day to fly a kite today! Fairly strong winds here. I watch Bible Discovery TV every morning on Vision TV (weekdays). Rod also has online prayer meetings Monday, Wednesday, & Friday @ 3:30 pm eastern time. We are blessed with great opportunities to hear the Word of God. Blessings all.

  3. Lord God, thank You for the prayers of all Your people. Bless and keep each one. As Solomon prayed,
    “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. May the Lord our God be with us as he was with our ancestors; may he never leave us or abandon us. May he give us the desire to do his will in everything and to obey all the commands, decrees, and regulations that he gave our ancestors. And may these words that I have prayed in the presence of the Lord be before him constantly, day and night, so that the Lord our God may give justice to me and to his people Israel, according to each day’s needs. Then people all over the earth will know that the Lord alone is God and there is no other. And may you be completely faithful to the Lord our God. May you always obey his decrees and commands, just as you are doing today.”

    We need You so, Lord. Help us honour You in what we do and say, in Jesus’s great name, amen

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