- Joined
- Oct 26, 2007
- Messages
- 12,538
"If your people Israel are defeated before the enemy because they have sinned against you, and they turn again and acknowledge your name and pray and plead with you in this house, then hear from heaven and forgive the sin of your people Israel and bring them again to the land that you gave to them and to their fathers. 2 Chronicles 6:24-25 ESV
King Solomon—the wise king—spoke to God in prayer. He recognized that God could withhold His blessing when rebellion beat wildly in the heart of humanity. He prayed for God’s favor. Solomon had to know that God didn’t have to agree to his request, but the earthly king appealed to the goodness of the heavenly King. Solomon wanted to know if God would restore rebellious people when they recognized their rebellion and returned to their place at God’s side.
This prayer almost reads like a legal argument or an appeal to heaven’s highest court. It was a mix of plea bargain and promises of better choices. God would never excuse sin, but He will forgive. The thinking man will advance this appeal. You have no standing if you ask God to look away while you rebel. You do have the privilege to say from your heart, “You were right. I was wrong. I rebelled. Please forgive me.”
Prayer: God, I can’t ask You to act as if my sin didn’t happen. But I can turn around, come back, and seek Your forgiveness. May I always come back when I find myself walking away.
King Solomon—the wise king—spoke to God in prayer. He recognized that God could withhold His blessing when rebellion beat wildly in the heart of humanity. He prayed for God’s favor. Solomon had to know that God didn’t have to agree to his request, but the earthly king appealed to the goodness of the heavenly King. Solomon wanted to know if God would restore rebellious people when they recognized their rebellion and returned to their place at God’s side.
This prayer almost reads like a legal argument or an appeal to heaven’s highest court. It was a mix of plea bargain and promises of better choices. God would never excuse sin, but He will forgive. The thinking man will advance this appeal. You have no standing if you ask God to look away while you rebel. You do have the privilege to say from your heart, “You were right. I was wrong. I rebelled. Please forgive me.”
Prayer: God, I can’t ask You to act as if my sin didn’t happen. But I can turn around, come back, and seek Your forgiveness. May I always come back when I find myself walking away.
