2nd Chronicles 6 RESPECT, REVERENCE, REPENTANCE, RESTORATION The scene is set: God's presence is in the thick cloud that fills the temple. Awestruck people gather looking on in the quietness of reverence and godly fear. The king speaks in response to the presence of God's glory in that place and expresses the desire for the presence of the Lord to remain among His people in His dwelling place. The king then turns to face the watching people and speaks to the people about the promise of God among them and the visible evidence of His presence. God is here. He is among us as He promised. He chose us; His promises never fail; He performs what He promises; He keeps the covenant He made with His people. He put His name there and His glory is evident. May we never lose the wonder of the fact that the God of eternity, the God of the universe dwells among His people. Let us always show the appropriate 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 reverential position and the attitude of submission to an authority higher than his. To physically kneel before another person reveals one's estimation of one's self and the exalted position and personhood of another. 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," in the Person of the Holy Spirit, God is in us. How careful and conscious we must be when we realize divine Persons have chosen to be where we are.
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 some principles of prayer as well that are important. Sincerity in prayer is not in "vain repetitions." Sincerity is evident when there is spontaneity and openness of thought and expression. Confidence in prayer is demonstrated when in faith all aspects of prayer including adoration, confession, thanksgiving and supplications are made. Submission to the authority of the Lord is evident when His name is used with respect and reverence rather than a casual familiarity without dignity nor integrity. An awareness of the accessibility of the throne of grace makes us conscious of how near the Lord is to those who "call upon Him with a pure heart." Honesty as a principle in prayer does not let us avoid facing sin and its consequences and confessing it, and forsaking it. It also accepts by faith the promise of forgiveness from our Gracious Father.
It we compare the same prayer when it was first made and then when it was recounted for the sake of the people who came back from Babylon many generations later, we will see some differences. It is the same in all situations when different people look at the same thing, hear the same words or report the same event. There are differences but not contradictions. Those differences may be because of one's location and how they see the same thing from a different perspective. The same thing may be reviewed for different reasons by different people. Any seeming discrepancy in an account needs to be evaluated with that understanding. The scripture does not contain contradictions but rather a different emphasis is placed on the same thing or event. The writer of Chronicles was wanting this later generation to remember their relationship with their ancient leaders and how they were now called upon to adapt the promises of God to their day and age. So he emphasized the relationship of David the king to them and what they would do with the word of God and His work.
In Solomon's prayer he recognized the fact that God is not limited to the confines of a temple no matter how magnificent the building may be. God is infinite in His being, eternal in His existence, unsurpassed in authority and power - and yet hears and answers the prayers of both individuals and nations. God is ready to hear the call of His people. He is ready to forgive the sins of the truly repentant sinner or nation when they confess and forsake their sin. He is ready to restore His people when they turn to Him and follow Him. For us as Christians, He does not just overlook our sin and show mercy to us, nor does He take a casual look at any sin to see if it is important or insignificant. He is rather, legally faithful to His word, and just to His righteous character, and has provided a basis for forgiveness on the fact that "Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures." "The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin."
The requests Solomon made that day cover all the areas of national responsibility we may face. The situations relating to crime, enemy attacks, lack of rain and food, immigration, war and refusing to obey God's word were all addressed. He knew God hears from heaven and mentioned that fact eight times. The only answer to any of the problems that arise is to turn to God and put our faith in Him alone. How often we try to come up with our own solutions and find them only temporary or a failure.
Crime seems to be increasing in our day and our new laws do not work to curb the injustice. God alone can maintain justice when we follow His laws and submit to His standards of righteousness. He judges without partiality and can vindicate the innocent. He also expects the guilty to be punished righteously. When we lose in war and the enemies attack, national sin has to be faced and judged and repented of. Then God can bring His people back to where they should be. Drought was a chastening process whereby people were made to face their inability to even meet their own basic needs. In such times as a prolonged lack of rain and the disaster and famine that follows, restoration can take place when disobedience gives way to obedience to God. He shows them the "good way," the right way and forgives and deals with each person according to the attitude of his heart.
Immigration into a country can be for various reasons. Some may come with evil intent and some come with a desire for God and association with His great name and the blessings connected with that name. God recognizes what we cannot. Solomon understood the need of God who knows everything, to make real to both citizens and foreigners the genuine motivation behind their coming into the land of Israel.
When there are just causes to be maintained and it seems that warfare is imminent or unavoidable, we have only God to turn to. "When our cause it 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 have to face the consequences of their sin. In the case of Israel, it led to exile. When real repentance and forsaking of sin actually takes place so that people truly 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 full of anticipation for an on-going fellowship with God. The ark, the holy garments of the priests, the joy of God's people, the promises to the king - all focus on that which will bring glory to God and assurance to God's people.