Wednesday 25 January 2006

And they went to their tents joyful and glad of heart.

“On the eighth day he sent the people away: and they blessed the king, and went unto their tents joyful and glad of heart for all the goodness that the LORD had done for David his servant, and for Israel his people.” - 1 Kings 8v66

What a day it must have been for the people of Israel! The magnificent new temple had been built and Solomon had just held a wonderful dedication ceremony. Everyone was excited as they went home rejoicing in their hearts for all that God had done for them.

We have all been in those times. We can remember when God did something great, visible, and exciting. When it was all over we went home so full we could almost burst, and that is how these people felt when they went back to their tents.

As I considered that I thought about another temple dedication. This time it was in the time of Haggai and the temple was much smaller. Some rejoiced, but the old men, who had seen Solomon’s temple in its heyday wept.

It is easy for us to rejoice when we can see God’s work in a visible way like the people did here. It can be more challenging when we can’t see it so clearly and we still go home joyful and with our hearts full of joy.
Rejoicing in the great days doesn’t take much faith. Rejoicing in the little things does. We must remember to rejoice when we see an obvious work of God and even when we can’t. That is walking by faith and not by sight.

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