Reading: II Chronicles 7 – 9
And the Lord appeared to Solomon by night, and said unto him, I have heard thy prayer, and have chosen this place to myself for an house of sacrifice. If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people; If My people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. Now Mine eyes shall be open, and Mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this place (II Chr. 7:12-15).
Solomon’s heartfelt dedication of the Temple of God had pleased and energized the people, but most importantly, the sincere message had touched the heart of God. Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the Lord filled the house (II Chr. 7:1). Just as he had done with the initial sacrifices at the Brazen alter following the dedication of the Tabernacle (Lev. 9:24), God sent the fire (that) came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices. That night, the Lord appeared to Solomon to confirm his acceptance of the Temple. I have heard thy prayer, and have chosen this place to myself for an house of sacrifice.
Had the Lord’s answer stopped there, Solomon and the Israelites would still have been well pleased. By choosing the Temple as His house of sacrifice, God was confirming that His people were home, and in full, peaceful possession of the land which He had given them (II Sam. 7:10-11). Yet God did not stop there. In his prayer, Solomon had also requested God’s grace upon the people, and in a profound statement of mercy, God granted that request. If My people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
God knew what the future held for His people. Even as He heard their voices lifted in genuine worship and praise, He knew that it wouldn’t last. He was already privy to every poor decision and every back-sliding step that would occur in the coming years. He already knew of the terrible suffering they would bring on themselves, and how lost and alone they would eventually feel. It was with this knowledge that God imparted to Solomon a full measure of grace, providing him with a permanent guide for spiritual revival and renewal, a reminder of His promise spoken so long ago: But if from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God, thou shalt find Him, if thou seek Him with all thy heart and with all thy soul (Deut. 4:29).
This is not merely a historical, Old Testament promise. With the coming of Christ, God’s offer of grace now extends to all of mankind (Gal. 3:29).That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation (Rom. 10:9-10). God’s promise remains in full effect. All who approach our Savior with an humble, seeking, repentant heart will find Him.
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (I John 1:9).
Thought for Today: God knows we will stumble and often fall, which is why He stands ready to catch us and lead us on.
Christ Revealed: Through the glory of Solomon’s kingdom (II Chr. 9:1-28). Even though Solomon had a rich and glorious kingdom, it cannot begin to compare to Christ’s coming Kingdom. The throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it (Rev. 22:1-5).
Word Studies: 7:11 prosperously effected = successfully accomplished all that God had planned for him to do, 7:14 seek My Face = seek My will through My Word; 8:5 nether = lower; 8:16 perfected = completed.
Pray For Staff: Tifany Parisi • Government Official: Rep. Dina Titus (NV) • Country: New Zealand (4,365,113) two large islands Southeast of Australia • Major Languages: English, Maori • Religious Freedom • 38.6% Protestant; 12.6% Roman Catholic; 1.6% Maori Christian; 1.6% Hindu; 1.3% Buddhist; 2.2% Other Religions; 32.2% None; 9.9% Other/Unidentified • Prayer Suggestion: Ask for the Lord’s blessings and peace upon His children (Num. 6:24-27).
Optional Reading I Corinthians 10.