July 23, 2022 - 1 Kings‬ ‭8:41-43

“In the future, foreigners who do not belong to your people Israel will hear of you. They will come from distant lands because of your name, for they will hear of your great name and your strong hand and your powerful arm. And when they pray toward this Temple, then hear from heaven where you live, and grant what they ask of you. In this way, all the people of the earth will come to know and fear you, just as your own people Israel do. They, too, will know that this Temple I have built honors your name.” 1 Kings 8:41-43 NLT

Lord, we praise you that your plan for humanity has always been for us to come to know you. You want to restore the relationship you designed each human to have with you. In this passage, King Solomon was praying for just that. He knew that you chose Israel as a special people to shine your light to the rest if the world. They were chosen to be an example of your love and power. We thank you for your love and how you want to know us. You are so wonderful. Your desire to have a relationship with us is amazing.

We thank you for how you use us to show the world who you are. You used Israel to show your great power. When we look at Israel, they had seasons of obedience when they followed you with reverence. In these seasons, we see your blessing over them. You protected them and fought for them. In other seasons, we see them walk away from you and not obey your commandments. In those seasons, we see how some of your blessings and protection were taken away from them. Their ability to be a great example of you to the nations was much better in those seasons where your favor and blessings were abounding. Like Israel, we want to be used by you to shine your light and show the world who you are. We welcome your calling on our lives. Help us to walk in obedience to all that you ask and glorify your name in a great way.

In Jesus name, amen.