2 Chronicles 7:1-10 Click here for Bible VersesHi GAMErs,

Hi GAMErs,

Today’s passage is 2 Chronicles 7:1-10. Let’s go!

2 Chronicles 7:1 (NIV) 
 When Solomon finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the LORD filled the temple.

On verses 1-3:  Once the people have offered their sacrifices to the Lord and Solomon has finished praying on behalf of the people, fire from heaven falls and consumes the people’s burnt offering and sacrifices, filling the temple with God’s glory.  The people respond by kneeling with their faces to the ground and worshiping God, saying “He is good; His love endures forever” (v3).

This verse reminds me of two later events.  The first event is when Elijah would face off against the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, and God answers Elijah’s prayer by sending fire upon his sacrifice, causing the people to exclaim “The Lord, He is God!” (1 Kings 18:38-39).  The second event is in Acts 2, when Jesus’ disciples are in the upper room, worshiping the Lord, and then tongues of fire are said to land on each of them, causing them to speak in tongues.

Likewise, when we offer ourselves fully as living sacrifices to worship God in His presence (Romans 12:1-2), God sends the fire of His Holy Spirit to fill us, revive us and spur us on to greater worship.  Offer yourself to God today and ask His Holy Spirit to fill you.

2 Chronicles 7:7 (NIV) 
 Solomon consecrated the middle part of the courtyard in front of the temple of the LORD, and there he offered burnt offerings and the fat of the fellowship offerings, because the bronze altar he had made could not hold the burnt offerings, the grain offerings and the fat portions.

On verses 4-10:  Having experienced fire from heaven, Solomon and the people proceed to offer even more sacrifices to God (v4-5) while the priests and Levite musicians use their instruments to praise God (v6-7).  So many offerings are presented that the bronze altar has no more room left and Solomon ends up offering the remaining offerings in the middle of the courtyard (v7).  After the seven day celebration of dedicating the temple (v8), the people continue to celebrate for another seven days the Feast of the Tabernacles (v9).  After that, Solomon sends the people home with great joy and gladness (v10).

What can we learn from this?  When we are touched by the fire of the Holy Spirit, the result is that we worship God with abandon and give Him offerings that are not reserved or stingy.  When touched by the Holy Spirit, our lives reflect the generosity, grace and gladness of heaven.  You were made to be touched and filled with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18). Just as Solomon’s sacrifices could not be contained in the Most Holy Place but spilled over into the middle of the courtyard, your life was made to be an offering that overflows.   That’s why every day, offer your life to Jesus and ask His Holy Spirit to fill you, that your life would be a living sacrifice, an offering that overflows.

Heavenly Father, just as heaven overflows with Your love, grace, gladness and generosity, I pray that my life would overflow that way too.  Holy Spirit come and fill me.  I offer myself to You as a living sacrifice and pray that like fire from heaven You would touch me, that Your power, love, joy and generosity would overflow in and through my life.  In Jesus’ name, AMEN!