God's Kingdom Involves Obedience

 2 Chronicles 6-8     Psalm 66     1 Thessalonians 3-4

I love the opening of 2 Chronicles 7 when it talks about when Solomon finished praying fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices. That is powerful prayer and the house of the Lord was filled with God’s glory. Solomon began by focusing on giving glory and honor to God and amazing blessings resulted.

This leads to an interesting interaction between Solomon and God in a dream where God once again tells him that if the people that are called by his name humble themselves and seek his face while turning away from their wicked ways he will hear, forgive and bring healing. God’s eyes and ears will be open to what the people have to offer. He also points out that while the mountain will always be a place associated with his name the house is temporary.

God points out to Solomon that as long as he and the people follow his commandments and his ways they will prosper. If they choose to turn away and forsake his leadership, all they have will be removed from them. He will remove it all from his sight. Solomon would expand the territory under his control and receive the bounty from the surrounding kingdoms.

The choir director wrote the song to give praise to God and call on all the earth to praise God. It is an invitation to come and see the awesome works of God. There is a call to tell his story in other nations because of the great things he has done. God in fact refines us in those difficult times and shapes who he wants us to be.

Are we prepared to come as the song writer challenges to invite others to come and see what great things God has done in our lives? God does not tune away when we pray to him even when he doesn’t respond in the way we ask.

Paul offers a reminder that they had told them the hardships they were facing would come and should not be unexpected. He offered a word of encouragement that they were holding strong to the word of the Lord even in affliction.

Challenging them to follow the instructions they had been given so that they might live in a way that pleases God. He pushes them not to fall to sexual immorality so that they would bring sanctification and honor to God. God calls us to purity and to be set apart from those that do not follow God’s ways. He tells them to lead a quiet faithful life taking care of their own business so that outsiders will see their behavior.

Declaring that Jesus died and rose again and that one day we who believe in him will be taken up with him. This hope is worthy of sharing and bringing comfort to one another.

We clearly see that God calls his people to be set apart and to show their part of the kingdom of God by they way they live and treat others. We cannot and will not receive the blessings of God unless we follow his ways.