Moderator
Staff Member
"that Your eyes may be open to the supplication of Your servant and the supplication of Your people Israel, to listen to them whenever they call to You. 1 Kings 8:52
As Solomon dedicated the newly constructed temple to the Lord, he recounted all that could be expected to happen to the people of Israel and the ways they could trust in God. This was a great moment of hope and optimism, as the people had just witnessed God's presence settle in the temple. What other people on earth had ever seen such a powerful display of divine power in their place of worship?
In the midst of this celebration, Solomon was well aware that hard times might be ahead. As he prayed, he recounted the ways that Israel could fail. He encouraged the people to repent, and asked God to hear their prayers. His prayer was a foreshadowing of the coming years of Jewish unfaithfulness and exile.
The unfaithfulness of God's people is nothing new. However, Solomon's prayer offers hope for today because God remains willing to forgive His people. No matter how far you've fallen or what you've done--or will do--there's a promise of God's forgiveness and attentiveness. By trusting that God's eyes and ears are always open and then humbling yourself before Him, you too can experience His faithful presence today.
Prayer: Lord I surrender my failures to You and trust in Your faithfulness.
As Solomon dedicated the newly constructed temple to the Lord, he recounted all that could be expected to happen to the people of Israel and the ways they could trust in God. This was a great moment of hope and optimism, as the people had just witnessed God's presence settle in the temple. What other people on earth had ever seen such a powerful display of divine power in their place of worship?
In the midst of this celebration, Solomon was well aware that hard times might be ahead. As he prayed, he recounted the ways that Israel could fail. He encouraged the people to repent, and asked God to hear their prayers. His prayer was a foreshadowing of the coming years of Jewish unfaithfulness and exile.
The unfaithfulness of God's people is nothing new. However, Solomon's prayer offers hope for today because God remains willing to forgive His people. No matter how far you've fallen or what you've done--or will do--there's a promise of God's forgiveness and attentiveness. By trusting that God's eyes and ears are always open and then humbling yourself before Him, you too can experience His faithful presence today.
Prayer: Lord I surrender my failures to You and trust in Your faithfulness.