READING: 1 Kings 8:1-11, 2 Chronicles 5:1-14, 1 Kings 8:12-21, 2 Chronicles 6:1-11, 1 Kings 8:22-53, 2 Chronicles 6:12-42
There is no God like the Lord God of heaven. King Solomon knew that truth, and he proclaimed it as he dedicated the Temple. Our God is a covenant-keeping God who always fulfills His promises. Even the highest heaven cannot contain Him, yet He chooses to communicate with us as His children. There truly is no one like Him!
Moreover, He knows each heart intimately. He knows our sin, yet He forgives when we call upon Him in prayer. Indeed, the repetition of these words in Solomon’s prayer reminds us of both the depth of our sin and the grace of God:
- “Hear the petition of your servant and your people Israel, which they pray toward this place. May you hear in your dwelling place in heaven. May you hear and forgive” (1 Kgs 8:30)
- “[when] they return to you and praise your name, and they pray and plead with you for mercy in this temple,may you hear in heaven and forgive the sin of your people Israel” (1 Kgs 8:33-34)
- “[when] they turn from their sins because you are afflicting them,may you hear in heaven and forgive the sin of your servants” (1 Kgs 8:35-36)
- “as they spread out their hands toward this temple, may you hear in heaven, your dwelling place, and may you forgive, act, and give to everyone according to all their ways, since you know each heart, for you alone know every human heart” (1 Kgs 8:38-39)
- “may you hear in heaven, your dwelling place, their prayer and petition and uphold their cause. May you forgive your people who sinned against you and all their rebellions against you” (1 Kgs 8:49-50)
May the God of heaven hear and forgive us as we confess our sin to Him today.
PERSONAL REFLECTION: What sins do you need to confess today?
DAILY PRAYER: “Lord, hear my cry as I return to You. Forgive me.”
TOMORROW’S READING: 1 Kings 8:54-60, 2 Chronicles 7:1-10, 1 Kings 9:1-9, 2 Chronicles 7:11-22, 1 Kings 9:10-14