RESPECT, REVERENCE, REPENTANCE, RESTORATION. 2nd Chronicles 6 The building is completed—everything is orderly and in its proper place. The spiritual leaders and servants are dressed modestly and suitably. The people are gathered; now they stand before the Lord, reverently. The king ascends the high scaffold above the crowd, then kneels humbly. He lifts his hands toward God and prays, seeking grace from Deity. He admits human faults and our need for forgiveness, specifically.
Before Solomon prayed, he spoke to the people of Israel, reminding them that God had not previously chosen a city as the religious center for the nation or a man to rule them. Then, Jerusalem had been chosen as the designated city, and David was king over Israel. David wanted to build a temple, but God wanted Solomon to do it. The temple stood before them, finished, glorious, and a testimony to God's faithfulness. It never occurred to Solomon that the glory of the Lord would ever leave the temple or that it would be destroyed.
The scene is set: God's presence fills the temple with a thick cloud. Awestruck people gather quietly in reverence and godly fear. The king responds to God's glory in that place and expresses his hope for the Lord's presence to remain among His people in His dwelling. Then, the king turns to the crowd and speaks about God's promise among them and the clear sign of His presence.
God is here. He is with us, as He promised. He chose us; His promises never fail; He fulfills what He vows; and He keeps the covenant He made with His people. He has put His name there, and His glory is visible. May we always remember that the eternal God, the Creator of the universe, dwells among His people. Let us show proper respect and reverence for Him and His holy name.
The brass platform is in place: it is the same height as the altar. The king mounts the raised platform and is now easily seen by the watching crowd. Then he kneels down before God in a reverent position and an attitude of submission to a higher authority. To physically kneel before another person shows one's estimation of oneself and the exalted position and personhood of the other. The divine presence of the Lord was there in the temple. It was also in our Lord Jesus Christ, even in His manhood, where He was here on earth, "found in fashion as a man." Now, a most wondrous thing is true: not only is "God for us," and "God with us," but in the Person of the Holy Spirit, “God is in us.” We must be careful and conscious when we realize that divine persons have chosen to be where we are.
When Solomon knelt before the Lord in front of all the people, it was clear that he recognized he was subordinate to divine authority. With his hands raised in gratitude to God, he expressed the thoughts that every child of God has when they reflect on the Lord's mercy and faithfulness, especially when we walk before Him, love Him, and call on His name with all our hearts. This demonstrates sincere and wholehearted dedication to Him with all our heart, mind, and soul.
As Solomon prayed, he began with praise to the Lord. Our Lord, in His teaching prayer, did the same. "Hallowed be Thy name." Petitions come second. There are also some important principles of prayer. Sincerity in prayer means not using "vain repetitions." Genuine sincerity shows through spontaneity and openness of thought and expression. Confidence in prayer is demonstrated when, in faith, all aspects—adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and supplications—are included.
Respectful submission to the Lord's authority is evident when His name is spoken with reverence rather than casual familiarity, which lacks dignity and integrity. An awareness of the accessibility of the throne of grace reminds us how close the Lord is to those who "call upon Him with a pure heart." Honesty in prayer prevents us from avoiding confronting sin and its consequences, encouraging us to confess and forsake it. It also trusts by faith in the promise of forgiveness from a gracious Father.
God made a covenant with His people that if they kept the agreement of walking before Him as David did, He would fulfill His promises. The list of requests is then given, showing the desire for God to hear and forgive when they sinned. If we compare the same prayer from when it was first made to when it was recounted for the people returning from Babylon many generations later, we will notice some differences.
This is common in situations where different people observe the same thing, hear the same words, or report the same event. The differences are not contradictions. A person's location may cause them to see the event from a different perspective. The same event may be viewed for different reasons by different people. Any apparent discrepancy in an account should be understood in that context. Scripture does not contain contradictions but highlights various aspects of the same event.
The author of Chronicles aimed for future generations to remember their connection with their ancestors and understand how they are now called to apply God's promises to their own time. Therefore, he focused on the relationship between David, the king, and them, emphasizing what they would do with God's Word and His work.
In Solomon's prayer, he recognized that God is not limited to the confines of a temple, no matter how magnificent the building might be. God is infinite in His nature, eternal in His existence, unparalleled in authority and power—and yet He listens to and responds to the prayers of both individuals and nations. God is always ready to hear His people's calls. He is willing to forgive the sins of genuinely repentant sinners or nations when they confess and turn away from their sins. He is prepared to restore His people when they return to Him and follow His ways.
For us as Christians, He does not simply ignore our sins or show mercy casually; nor does He dismiss any sin as unimportant or trivial. Instead, He remains faithful to His word and just in His righteous character, providing a foundation for forgiveness because "Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures." "The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin."
The requests Solomon made that day cover all areas of national responsibility we may face. He addressed situations concerning crime, enemy attacks, drought, food shortages, immigration, war, and disobedience to God's word. He knew that God hears from heaven and mentioned this eight times. The only solution to any problem that arises is to turn to God and trust Him alone. How often do we try to devise our own solutions and find them only temporary or unsuccessful?
Crime appears to be rising in our time, and our new laws do not effectively prevent injustice. Only God can uphold justice when we follow His laws and submit to His standards of righteousness. He judges fairly and can defend the innocent. He also expects the guilty to be punished justly. When we lose wars and enemies attack, it is necessary to face, judge, and repent of national sin. Then God can restore His people to where they should be. Drought was a chastening process that forced people to confront their inability to meet even their basic needs. During prolonged periods of drought, famine, and disaster, restoration can happen when disobedience turns into obedience to God. He shows them the "good way," the right way, and forgives and deals with each person based on their heart's attitude. Immigration into a country can occur for many reasons. Some may come with harmful intentions, while others seek a connection with God, His great name, and the blessings that come with it. God perceives what we cannot. Solomon understood the need for God, who knows everything, to reveal to both citizens and foreigners the true reasons behind their arrival in the land of Israel. When there are just causes to uphold and it appears that war is inevitable or unavoidable, we have only God to turn to. "When our cause is just, then this be our motto, 'In God is our trust.'" But when we refuse to listen to and obey God, God's people must face the consequences of their sin. In the case of Israel, it led to exile. When true repentance and forsaking of sin actually occur, so that people genuinely turn to God in faith, "Then hear Thou from heaven, even from Thy dwelling place, their prayer and supplications, and maintain their cause, and forgive Thy people which have sinned against Thee." The conclusion of Solomon's prayer is filled with hope for continuous fellowship with God. The ark, the priests' holy garments, the joy of God's people, and the promises to the king all focus on what will bring glory to God and provide reassurance to God's people. The practice of prayer still includes thanksgiving, supplication, intercession, adoration, and experiencing God’s grace through forgiveness when confession of sins is made. Now there is a place for God to rest among His people, and the people of God come to that place to be blessed. A connection is formed between the Holy God and man. When people fail, there is a place they can return to and find forgiveness if they forsake their sin, and the All-Wise God who dwells there carries out His judgment and makes His verdict right. His judgment is just, and His forgiveness is complete—when His people, in repentance, come to the mercy-seat.
The house of God gathers regularly at the meeting place, each living stone aware that God is personally present among His people. We unite our voices in praise and testimony to Him in harmony. Our prayers of intercession, supplication, and thanksgiving are offered in unity. God’s Word is opened and explained with reverence. We come to listen to Him, speak to Him, and sing to Him, then leave rejoicing.
We gather in God’s resting place, and our hearts and voices unite. We wait and wonder what God will send to heal our sickness and the weakness we all experience. Is there a way God will come among us and restore the weakness of our testimony and sometimes our lack of faith? Is God willing and able to work among us to reveal His saving grace again? May He answer and respond so that we can uphold His righteous cause. May our testimony be a resting place for God, and may He trust us. The evidence of truth and grace is being upheld. The faithfulness of the saints brings me joy. May all that we do as a company of Thine own be a joy to our blessed Lord.