RTW 2024

Then Solomon prayed, “O LORD, You have said that You would live in a thick cloud of darkness." 

1 Kings 8:12

‍He looked back. (1 Kings 8:1-11)
Solomon: Recalled how God called him to build Temple.
Me: Recall how God has worked in your life.

He looked up. (1 Kings 8:12-21)
Solomon: Asked God to fulfill His covenant promises.
Me: Ask God to fulfill His promises to you.

He looked ahead. (1 Kings 8:22-31)
Solomon: Asked God to help His people through trials of life and for forgive their sins.
Me: Ask God to help you, and everyone through trials of life and to forgive yours and their sin.

He looked around. (1 Kings 8:32-35)
Solomon: Asked God to bless the Gentiles to fulfill Genesis 12:1-3.
Me: Ask God to bless those who aren’t in Christ as to bring them into relationship with Him.

He looked within. (1 Kings 8:38-40)
Solomon: Pleaded with God to forgive the sins of Israel.
Me: Plead with God to forgive the sins of the Church.

‍With the Word: The Chapter-by-Chapter Bible Handbook, Warren Wiersbe; pg.238-239

"Though only Jesus is God incarnate, the temple was a clear sign that God in all his being was committed to living among his people." - Martin J Selman

About Zion

Solomon then summoned to Jerusalem the elders of Israel and all the heads of the tribes—the leaders of the ancestral families of the Israelites. They were to bring the Ark of the LORD’s Covenant to the Temple from its location in the City of David, also known as Zion.
1 Kings 8:1

"The first mention of Zion in the Bible is 2 Samuel 5:7: “David captured the fortress of Zion—which is the City of David.” Zion was originally an ancient Jebusite fortress in the city of Jerusalem. After David’s conquest of the fortress, Jerusalem became a possession of Israel. The royal palace was built there, and Zion/Jerusalem became the seat of power in Israel’s kingdom." What is Zion? Gotquestions.org

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When I pray: look back, look up, look ahead, look around, and look within.