Forever

And the Levites, Jeshua, Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabniah, Sherebiah, Hodijah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah, said: “Stand up and bless the Lord your God forever and ever! Blessed be your glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise!” Nehemiah 9:5

People are quick to sing praises of other people when something great has been done by them. Others will shower blessings on others who have blessed them or done something specifically for them. Most often blessings are given only if something was received first. Then it is only done for a short time and very quickly forgotten as people move on to new things and new people.

A named number of Levites tell all the people to stand up and bless the Lord their God forever and ever.

The world is very quick to stand up and sing their own praises. Pride rises up and people want everyone else to know what they have done. People want to be recognized and will only recognize others when it will benefit themselves. The world will also be quick to take a stand for what they believe in and demand that others follow along.

Believers need to stop and recognize who God is what He has already done in their lives. Just a few of the things God has done are forgiveness of sins, given great mercy, shown love, provided for needs, continual presence, provided strength and direction and much more. The moment they realize these things, they will want to stand up and bless Him.

Instead of sitting down and hiding in the shadows ashamed or fearful, believers are to stand up and be seen. They are to let the world know the blessing that they are pouring out upon the Lord their God. This is not to be just done on Sundays in a church service, but continually day and night forever and ever.

Think about all that God has done for you that He did not have to do because you did not deserve any of it. The list is endless and continually growing every moment.

Now stand up and pour out blessings upon the Lord your God out loud for all the world to hear and know. God is to be exalted above all else in your life. When you are blessing Him forever and ever, you will have no time to turn to the things of this world.

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will know what God has done for you; that you will stand up boldly for God; that you will bless the Lord your God all the time; and that the world will know you bless and serve God alone.

I have chosen and consecrated this temple so that my Name may be there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there. 2 Chronicles 7:18

Names to be placed on special buildings are done on a regular basis. Often it is done by someone who has paid a huge amount of the expense to have the building built and desire their name to be upon it. Having one’s name on it is giving approval for that building and what goes on inside of it, and also gives honor to the one whose name is on it.

After Solomon dedicated the new temple of God, God came to him and told him that He had chosen and consecrated this temple so that His name would be there forever and that He would keep His eyes and ears on it.

The world loves to have their name known as someone special. Those who are extremely wealthy desire to get their name out there on things that are permanent and will continue to bring in more wealth. However, all of this is for self and is selfish.

Every person who has chosen to repent and believe in Jesus has become a new creation; they are a new building–the temple of God. This is all done by the choosing of God. It is God who calls a person to repentance and the person accepts the call. Once accepted, God then consecrates the person, removing all sin and making him the new temple of God.

As the temple of God believers carry the name of One who is greater than any person that has ever walked upon the earth. God, the creator of the universe and all that is in it, has chosen to place His name upon the believer for all eternity.

Before you became a believer God chose you to be one of His children. The moment you chose to accept God’s call for repentance and belief in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior you became a new temple of God.

The process of God consecrating you to be holy and righteous began upon your repentance and belief. He is working in your life to make you more like Jesus every day. His name now rests upon you for all the world to see for all eternity. God is keeping an eye on you and is listening for your call to Him, since His name is now on you.

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will know you are a temple of God; that you will allow God to consecrate you to be holy and righteous for His namesake; and that you will know His presence in your life each and every day.