Chapter 350 of 1163

2 Chronicles 7

Fire and glory. The fire came to devour, and the glory came to dwell. There was glory at the start of the service (2 Chron. 5:14) and glory at the close! But there could be no glory apart from the sacrifices that took care of the sins of the people. Isaiah saw God’s glory, but before he was ready for service, he had to feel the fire (Isa. 6:1–8). Most of us want the glory, but we resist the fire.

Falling and feasting. This demonstration of God’s power and glory brought the people to their knees, but when the service ended, they rejoiced with feasting. Contradictory? Not in the least. We are to “serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling” (Ps. 2:11). It was said of Moses and some others: “So they saw God, and they ate and drank” (Exod. 24:11).

Promise and warning. What an encouragement to know that God hears our prayers! God graciously granted what the king asked for, but He added a word of caution: “These blessings are given when My children obey.” Disobedience means discipline, not because God hates us but because He loves us and wants to bless us even more.

Prayer went up, fire came down, and glory moved in. Could you ask for more?

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