2 Chronicles 7:7-11: a reflection

7Moreover Solomon made the middle of the court that was before the LORD’s house holy; for there he offered the burnt offerings and the fat of the peace offerings, because the bronze altar which Solomon had made was not able to receive the burnt offering, the meal offering, and the fat. 8So Solomon held the feast at that time for seven days, and all Israel with him, a very great assembly, from the entrance of Hamath to the brook of Egypt. 9On the eighth day, they held a solemn assembly; for they kept the dedication of the altar seven days, and the feast seven days. 10On the twenty-third day of the seventh month, he sent the people away to their tents, joyful and glad of heart for the goodness that the LORD had shown to David, to Solomon, and to Israel his people. 11Thus Solomon finished the LORD’s house and the king’s house; and he successfully completed all that came into Solomon’s heart to make in the LORD’s house and in his own house.

When the great festival at the dedication of the temple ends, notice the state of the people as they are sent home: he sent the people away to their tents, joyful and glad of heart for the goodness that the LORD had shown to David, to Solomon, and to Israel. They went home glad of heart, and the reason is named: the goodness the LORD had shown them. Recalling and rejoicing in God's goodness had filled their hearts with gladness; they went out full of joy over what God had done.

Notice what made their hearts glad: the goodness the LORD had shown. Their gladness was not vague, or based on their own circumstances alone; it was gladness for God's goodness, for what he had done for them. Recalling and dwelling on the goodness God had shown filled their hearts with joy, so that they went home glad. It was the remembrance of God's goodness that made them glad of heart; their joy flowed from considering what God had done for them. God's goodness, recalled and rejoiced in, was the source of their gladness.

That is worth taking to heart, for our own hearts can be made glad by recalling the goodness God has shown us. We can go about with hearts that are heavy or joyless, forgetting the goodness God has shown; but recalling God's goodness, dwelling on what he has done for us, can fill the heart with gladness, as it filled the people leaving the temple. When your heart is heavy or joyless, recall the goodness God has shown you, and let it gladden your heart, as the people went home glad for the goodness the LORD had shown. Do not forget the goodness God has shown you, letting your heart grow joyless; recall it, dwell on it, and let it make you glad of heart, as the remembrance of God's goodness sent the people home joyful and glad. Let the goodness God has shown you be a source of gladness, recalled and rejoiced in, filling your heart with joy as it filled the hearts of the people who left the temple glad for the goodness the LORD had shown them.

Lord, when the great festival at the dedication of the temple ends, notice the state of the people as they are sent home: he sent the people away to their tents, joyful and glad of heart for the goodness that the LORD had shown to David, to Solomon, and to Israel. They went home glad of heart, and the reason is named: the goodness you had shown them. Recalling and rejoicing in your goodness had filled their hearts with gladness. Show me what made their hearts glad: the goodness you had shown. Their gladness was not vague; it was gladness for your goodness, for what you had done for them. Recalling and dwelling on the goodness you had shown filled their hearts with joy. It was the remembrance of your goodness that made them glad of heart. Take that to my heart, for my own heart can be made glad by recalling the goodness you have shown me. I can go about with a heart that is heavy or joyless, forgetting the goodness you have shown; but recalling your goodness, dwelling on what you have done for me, can fill my heart with gladness. When my heart is heavy or joyless, help me recall the goodness you have shown me, and let it gladden my heart, as the people went home glad for the goodness you had shown. Keep me from forgetting the goodness you have shown me, letting my heart grow joyless; help me recall it, dwell on it, and let it make me glad of heart, Lord.