말보다 말씀! 빚보다 빛!

[Key Verse]

"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land."
— 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV)

[Our Story]

The senior pastor of the church I served with in Korea for over a decade was also a leader in the Baptist denomination. He served successively as the second vice president, the first vice president, and eventually the denomination president. As a result, he was frequently involved in denominational events across the nation, often requiring long road trips in the church vehicle. Among the many events we attended, one of the most memorable was the centennial celebration of a historic church. That church had borne remarkable spiritual fruit throughout its 100-year history. It had raised many pastors and exerted a powerful, godly influence on its community. Astonishingly, almost all the village residents were members of the church—faith had been passed down faithfully through generations. In celebration of its 100th anniversary, the church had just completed the construction of a new sanctuary, and the dedication ceremony was held concurrently. During the dedication service, the chairman of the building committee shared heartfelt testimonies about God’s providence through the challenges of the construction process. One particular moment stood out—the benediction was short, yet profoundly stirring:"To the Lord who has been glorified through 100 years, be glorified for the next 100 years! May You be glorified through this church forever!" As soon as the final blessing was spoken, the entire congregation erupted in spontaneous applause and praise. It was a moment of pure worship, full of thanksgiving—a sacred offering of gratitude unto the Lord.

[Bible Story]

2 Chronicles 6-7 describe the dedication of Solomon’s Temple. Once the temple was completed and the glory of the Lord filled it, Solomon offered a dedication address (2 Chronicles 6:1–11), imploring God to accept the temple as His dwelling place and highlighting the fulfillment of the promises made to his father, David. Solomon then knelt on a bronze platform, spread his hands toward heaven, and offered a heartfelt prayer of thanksgiving (2 Chronicles 6:12–42). In his prayer, he asked God to hear the petitions offered in the temple and to extend grace to David’s descendants. After Solomon’s prayer, fire came down from heaven and the glory of the Lord filled the temple, leading the king and the people to worship (2 Chronicles 7:1–10). Solomon dedicated the altar over seven days and then held a festival for another seven days. On the eighth day, a solemn assembly marked the conclusion of the dedication (2 Chronicles 7:1–10). God then appeared to Solomon again, affirming that He had heard Solomon’s prayer and chosen the temple as a place where His eyes and heart would always be present. God promised forgiveness and restoration to a repentant people (2 Chronicles 7:11–18). However, He also warned that disobedience would bring destruction and exile (2 Chronicles 7:19–22; cf. 1 Kings 9:1–9).

[Your Story]

What have you offered to the Lord recently? What kind of offerings bring Him joy? What if you were to dedicate your God-given talents to Him—even the smallest ones? When we offer even the little things with sincere effort, the Lord receives them with delight. What about your time? When we dedicate even a portion of our day to the Lord, His glory can fill our moments and our lives. Above all, what if we offered prayers of thanksgiving, like Solomon did? Even in small things, gratitude offered with heartfelt sincerity moves the heart of God and directs our lives in His grace. True life begins not when we receive, but when we give. As David once proclaimed, "But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand."— 1 Chronicles 29:14

With joy and blessing,
Pastor Hyung Joong Kim
Copyrightⓒ 2025 by Hyung Joong Kim