Daily Thought

We often are heard to say, ‘Our God hears and answers prayer’. This is a comforting thought, and one we, no doubt, have proved true. Sometimes the heavens are as brass, and God seems a long way off. Our study today speaks of God’s willingness to hear the king’s prayer. This prayer, at the dedication of the temple, is well worth a detailed study. It reveals a king who was a true Israelite, and one who was committed to the worship of God. He reverenced the greatness of God, and remembered His mercies.

Solomon desired that the presence of the Lord should sanctify the house of the Lord. The work was finished and done well. Wondering that God in His greatness could indeed dwell with men, he asked that the Lord should look favourably on the house, 8. 27, 28. Thus God, in answering his prayer, gave assurance that His presence should be there. Pausing to think of our lives today, how much we need God’s presence with us. It is marvellous that He will answer this prayer. As He did to Moses, He says to us, ‘My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest’, Exod. 33. 14.

Solomon was also claiming the promises of God in his prayer, 8. 20. The Lord had promised David that He would establish the kingdom of Israel. There would not lack a man for the throne for ever. In responding thus to Solomon’s prayer, God was fulfilling His promises. Prayer lays hold of the promises of God. Whatever He promises He surely will fulfil, Heb. 10. 23.

Solomon also prayed for God’s pardon, His forgiveness for the people’s sins, 8. 30. ‘When they shall pray toward this place: and hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place: and when thou hearest, forgive.’ Within the scope of God’s answer, there was the possibility of His pardon for their sins. In every prayer experience, there must be the blessing of forgiveness. Unconfessed sin is a hindrance, preventing answers to prayer. And if there were no forgiveness, then no prayer would be possible, 1 John 1. 7. Notice the conditions, ‘If then’, vv. 4, 5. Only ‘if’ the conditions were fulfilled would the Lord then bless. Today we can prove that God answers prayer.

Thought: - God says, ‘if thou wilt then I will’.