1st Kings 8:22-53 COMMUNICATING WITH GOD When one person is the mouthpiece of a congregation of people with the Lord, there is an appropriate way to address God. A suitable position and careful words that are respectful indicates we are serious about the specific requests we make and the worship and intercessions we are expressing. Solomon stood before the altar with his hands upraised as an acknowledgement that access to the Lord God is because of an innocent substitute.
It is not a casual act when we approach the eternal God and speak to Him on behalf of others. Moses' raised hands put him in the position in which God could send plagues on the land of Egypt, give victory to Israel over the Amalekites, and others also lifted up their hands toward the Lord. When we pray publicly our hands are to be holy and our attitude that of confidence toward God and unreserved faith. The prayer of faith recognizes the Lord God as unique in His being, all-powerful in His authority, merciful toward mankind and compassionate toward those who fear Him. What He has said, He will do. His promises are always kept.
A covenant made with the Lord is sure and is verified by His own word and promise. When God acts on behalf of His people, it may be by arranging and directing the course of events. He makes things happen according to His choosing, and at other times responds to prayers by miracles. However, God chooses to act; the terms of a covenant He will keep. It is our responsibility to keep our side of the covenant with honesty, integrity, dignity and honor. Our children will hopefully take heed to our ways and walk before the Lord themselves.
The fact of the temple being filled with the cloud of God's presence in no way limited the omnipresent God to the temple. The visible evidence of the presence of God reminded the people of Israel that He was there to assist and guide them in their national life. The heavens cannot contain God, let alone a building made by men. Yet God is willing to dwell in His people and among His people in "the house of God." God's presence transcends anything that men can make. Nothing can contain Him exclusively. It is a marvel of His grace that He condescends to live in His people.
It is another gracious act of God to hear the prayers of His people at any time. In a special way when His people gather together publicly as "the house of God" and pray in His Name, He is there to hear and answer. When there are charges of wickedness made but not enough evidence to affirm or reject the charges, we have to turn the whole matter over to the Lord. When prayer is made in faith, confession is real and forsaking of sin takes place because God is omniscient, then the truth of the matter is made known. Forgiveness can take place and restoration follows. When as a result of sin, enemies take over the nation; when prayer is urgent and the matter is confessed as a consequence of disobedience, God can justly forgive. Prisoners can be freed and restored to the land of their fathers because they have returned to the God of their fathers.
Crop failures because of drought endangered the whole nation when they got careless and forgot the Lord. To start taking God and His blessings for granted will lead to consequences that are beyond our control. God who is omnipotent can change the weather and restore that which has been lost because of pestilence, disease and those things that plague the people. When we confess and forsake sin, we will find mercy is ready to be granted by our heavenly Father.
Guilt is an emotion that is good for us when we sin. Grace and forgiveness are in God's heart and can be granted when repentance is genuine. When in His wisdom God brings some form of discipline upon His people to correct them, it is a blessing. When He gives instructions as to "the right ways of the Lord," it is also a blessing even though there may be pain and suffering needed to bring it to pass.
It is the Lord's intention that His people in whatever age they have lived and whatever place they live to be a light to those around us. Those from distant lands ("strangers from a far country") when they hear of the name of the Lord from us and put their trust in Him are blessed. The Lord hears our prayers of intercession and does what is needed that those who seek Him, find Him.
Solomon must have had some insight into the future because in His prayer he prayed for the people of Israel who were captives, to have a change of heart, repent and call upon the Name of the Lord. His prayer was for the captives to be returned to the land, but more importantly, to the Lord and the inheritance He had given them. Solomon's appeal at the first of his prayer was based on the covenant the Lord had made with David. At the end of the prayer his appeal has to do with the covenant the Lord made with Israel when they were at Mt. Sinai.
Faith in prayer whether it be intercession, supplication, thanksgiving, worship or adoration, brings us consciously before the Lord our God in confidence that His will for us will be done through us.
1Kings 8:23. “And he said, ‘Lord God of Israel, there is no God like thee, in heaven above or on earth beneath, who keepeth covenant and mercy with thy servants that walk before thee with all heart:’”
NO GOD LIKE THEE. The gods of men’s making are much like themselves; Some ugly, others strong – images sitting on shelves, The One God, the True God is not dead – He’s alive. By Him we live and move, yes, even survive. The opposition of evil that wants to take life away, Or make we who believe in Him in some way to stay, So those who know by nature there is a God who lives, Will not believe in Him nor acknowledge all He gives.
The True God, the Living God who makes covenant with men – Has made very clear he wants us to have fellowship with Him – He forms covenants and keeps them even though when we fail His mercy extends to us and of His grace we avail Ourselves that we might repent and quickly to Him return – Sometimes it is after our failures that best we learn Our God is One of Love and His Faithfulness is great He forgives our sins by blood when we with Him covenant make.
He is not limited to a temple, for the whole universe is His.
The place where we gather is where we come to praise Him for His Person and the great work He has done. When, in love, He provided our ransom by giving His Son. How blessed it is to walk before Him and know that He knows All about us and our lives when in His mercy He chose Us to be His children – to live for Him, love Him, serve Him here And enjoy Him forever and His divine nature share.
“O Holy God who has drawn near to men, I am struck with awe that Thy covenant gives me a whole new nature as well as a new life. Thy mercies are truly mine every day and Thy love and grace unfailing. I bow my head in reverence and thanks. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”