Dedicate Your Blessings Back To God
Then Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in front of the whole assembly of Israel, spread out his hands toward heaven and said:
"LORD, the 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. 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.
Now LORD, the God of Israel . . . 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. 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." I Kings 8:22-30
After seven years of cutting down trees from Lebanon to the Mediterranean Sea, and floating them by rafts to the specified place of work; after thirty thousand men had taken turns in shifts of ten thousand a month to live in Lebanon and work on the materials needed for the temple; after a labor force of seventy thousand carriers, eighty thousand stonecutters, and thirty-three hundred foremen had all done their work; after numerous skilled artisans had labored to build the magnificent temple, King Solomon dedicated the temple to God.
In his prayer of dedication, King Solomon made some remarks that are very instructive.
First, with hands spread to heaven, he praised God and reminded Him that the temple that was being dedicated was the direct fulfilment of the promise God made to Solomon's father, David.
He worshiped God for being a Promise-Keeper.
After we have been blessed by God, it is easy to forget that the blessings are the direct result of our gracious Promise-keeping God. Often times we rush off to use and enjoy the blessings without taking time to really bless and honor God, and dedicate it back to Him who provides and sustains. The Bible makes it clear that every good and perfect gift comes from the hand of the Almighty God. Take time to bless God and dedicate every gift back to Him, not just on a one time basis, but continually as an act of worship. Lift up your hands to heaven and continually turn your life, your car, your home, your marriage, your children, your ministry -- back to the God who gave them to you. Such continual dedication will keep you humble and grateful.
Second, Solomon prayed: "May your eyes be open toward this temple night and day…"
Always remember to pray for God to protect the blessings He has given you. Ask God to watch over you and all He has bestowed upon you. Without God's watchful eyes, who knows what the "Enemy" might do. Dedicate all your blessings to the Provider God and ask Him to watch over you and all that He has blessed you with.
In his prayer of dedication, King Solomon made some remarks that are very instructive.
First, with hands spread to heaven, he praised God and reminded Him that the temple that was being dedicated was the direct fulfilment of the promise God made to Solomon's father, David.
He worshiped God for being a Promise-Keeper.
After we have been blessed by God, it is easy to forget that the blessings are the direct result of our gracious Promise-keeping God. Often times we rush off to use and enjoy the blessings without taking time to really bless and honor God, and dedicate it back to Him who provides and sustains. The Bible makes it clear that every good and perfect gift comes from the hand of the Almighty God. Take time to bless God and dedicate every gift back to Him, not just on a one time basis, but continually as an act of worship. Lift up your hands to heaven and continually turn your life, your car, your home, your marriage, your children, your ministry -- back to the God who gave them to you. Such continual dedication will keep you humble and grateful.
Second, Solomon prayed: "May your eyes be open toward this temple night and day…"
Always remember to pray for God to protect the blessings He has given you. Ask God to watch over you and all He has bestowed upon you. Without God's watchful eyes, who knows what the "Enemy" might do. Dedicate all your blessings to the Provider God and ask Him to watch over you and all that He has blessed you with.
Prayer: Lord, I thank you for the gift of life and all that you have blessed me with. I dedicate it all to you today. Please let your eyes go to and fro to show yourself strong on my behalf. Amen.