Step Into Your Destiny as a Priest in God’s Kingdom

1 Kings 8:22-30 (CLICK HERE FOR BIBLE VERSES)

Hi GAMErs,

Today’s passage is 1 Kings 8:22-30.  As usual, I encourage you to open your Bible and read the passage yourself first.  See what you can glean with the Holy Spirit’s help. Then read the GAME sharing below.  Let’s go!

1 Kings 8:22-30 (NIV)
²²  Then Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in front of the whole assembly of Israel, spread out his hands toward heaven
²³  and said: “O LORD, God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth below–you who keep your covenant of love with your servants who continue wholeheartedly in your way.
²⁴  You have kept your promise to your servant David my father; with your mouth you have promised and with your hand you have fulfilled it–as it is today.
²⁵  “Now LORD, God of Israel, keep for your servant David my father the promises you made to him when you said, ‘You shall never fail to have a man to sit before me on the throne of Israel, if only your sons are careful in all they do to walk before me as you have done.’
²⁶  And now, O God of Israel, let your word that you promised your servant David my father come true.
²⁷  “But will God really dwell on earth? The heavens, even the highest heaven, cannot contain you. How much less this temple I have built!
²⁸  Yet give attention to your servant’s prayer and his plea for mercy, O LORD my God. Hear the cry and the prayer that your servant is praying in your presence this day.
²⁹  May your eyes be open toward this temple night and day, this place of which you said, ‘My Name shall be there,’ so that you will hear the prayer your servant prays toward this place.
³⁰  Hear the supplication of your servant and of your people Israel when they pray toward this place. Hear from heaven, your dwelling place, and when you hear, forgive.

On verses 22-30:  Here we see King Solomon leading the entire assembly of Israelites in prayer at the dedication service for the newly constructed temple.  This was Solomon’s most glorious moment where he steps into his role not only as a ruler but as a spiritual leader and priest for the people he is leading.  Just like David wore the linen ephod as a priest would and danced before God with all his might (2 Samuel 6:14), here Solomon is taking on the equivalent of a priestly role, praying on behalf of the nation.

Likewise, if you are a follower of Jesus, you are also a priest in God’s kingdom.  As 1 Peter 2:5 says, “you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”  As a priest in God’s kingdom, whenever you pray, you stand in the gap between God and people who need Him.

So don’t just see yourself as “I’m just a _____ [state your profession or station in life]”.  See yourself as a priest in your home, your family, your workplace, your school, and your circle of friends, called by God to pray for those in need.

Father, thank You that I am a priest in Your kingdom.  No matter what my profession or station in life, I am a priest as well.  May I make the most of every opportunity to step into my destiny as a priest who prays on behalf of those You have placed in my life.  In Jesus’ name, AMEN!