Read: 2 Chronicles 6:12-7:3
. . . keeping covenant and showing steadfast love to your servants. (v. 14)
Of all Solomon’s accomplishments, the temple he built was the most magnificent, incomparable in many ways among the structures of the day. And despite all of his moral wanderings, Solomon knew God’s presence was central to all of life. His prayer of dedication provides a pattern for our prayers, reminding us that God keeps his covenant promises and loves his people with a steadfast, unchanging love (v. 14). There is no God like the God of Israel.
No matter where life finds us, Solomon’s prayer invites us always to return to God. Seven times he asks God to “hear from heaven” and act in response to our prayers. He covers nearly every imaginable situation we may encounter: sin, injustice, defeat in battle, natural disaster, calamity, judgment. He even prays in a mission focused way, asking God to hear the prayers of foreigners who will come “from a far country for the sake of your great name” (v. 32).
Tucked in the prayer is also a prophetic question: “Will God indeed dwell with man on the earth?” (v. 18). He acknowledges this temple cannot contain God. Not even the “highest heaven” can do that! Yet, John 1:14 tells us “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” Paul adds in 1 Corinthians 6:19, “Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you.” What profound privilege! We do not need to go to a temple to pray! God’s glorious presence is available to us right now. No matter where life finds us, let us return to our God. He will hear from heaven.
As you pray, worship the God who hears.
About the Author
Rev. Jon Opgenorth serves as president of Words of Hope. Previously, he served for 18 years as senior pastor at Trinity Reformed Church in Orange City, Iowa. In preparation for ministry, he received a BA in Religion from Northwestern College, and an MDiv from Fuller Theological Seminary.
