Solomon's Prayer of Dedication

 

 

1 Kings 8:22-30

May 8, 2021

 

 

 Solomon's Prayer of Dedication

Then Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in the presence of all the assembly of Israel and spread out his hands toward heaven,  and said, “O Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like you, in heaven above or on earth beneath, keeping covenant and showing steadfast love to your servants who walk before you with all their heart;  you have kept with your servant David my father what you declared to him. You spoke with your mouth, and with your hand have fulfilled it this day.   Now, therefore, O Lord, God of Israel, keep for your servant David my father what you have promised him, saying, ‘You shall not lack a man to sit before me on the throne of Israel, if only your sons pay close attention to their way, to walk before me as you have walked before me.’   Now, therefore, O God of Israel, let your word be confirmed, which you have spoken to your servant David my father.

 

“But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you; how much less this house that I have built!   Yet have regard to the prayer of your servant and to his plea, O Lord my God, listening to the cry and to the prayer that your servant prays before you this day,  that your eyes may be open night and day toward this house, the place of which you have said, ‘My name shall be there,’ that you may listen to the prayer that your servant offers toward this place.   And listen to the plea of your servant and of your people Israel, when they pray toward this place. And listen in heaven your dwelling place, and when you hear, forgive.”

 

I can only imagine such a leader of a nation, who understands what God has done and will do for a person, or people, or nation that will look to Him, and obey his statutes and precept.

 

In the next paragraph, Solomon asks a rhetorical question, it was not as if he did not know the answer, but it could be he wanted the people to understand, that no place no matter its size can house the totality of God.

 

When it came to prayer and offering, one must come to God with a broken and contrite heart.  Psalm 51:17, “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.”  1 Samuel 15:22, “But Samuel declared: "Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obedience to His voice? Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice, and attentiveness is better than the fat of rams.”

When we come to God we have an agenda, we what our will to be done, but is that a broken spirit and contrite heart, is it obedience to His voice?  Often I found it is not, for we are too impatient to be still and listen for that quiet voice of God.

 

From the Back Porch,

 

Bob Rice