September 7 / I Kings 8:12-66

I Kings 8:12-66

Dear RTB’ers,

With the temple and its furnishings complete, Solomon now leads the people with an introductory speech (vv. 12-21), his prayer to the Lord (vv. 13-53), a blessing upon the assembly (vv. 54-61), and offerings and sacrifices for the next two weeks (vv. 62-66).

There were a couple of sections of Solomon’s prayer that were particularly touching to me. First, his prayer was very personal for each of the assembled people (and to us today): …whatever prayer, whatever plea is made by any man, … each knowing the affliction of his own heart and stretching out his hands toward this house, then hear in heaven your dwelling place and forgive and act and render to each whose heart you know, according to all his ways (for you, you only, know the hearts of all the children of mankind), that they may fear you all the days that they live… (vv. 38-40). Yes, God knows our hearts, He knows our needs, and He has His desires for us – whatever we do according to His will.

Second, Solomon remembered the foreigner: Likewise, when a foreigner, who is not of Your people Israel, comes from a far country for Your name’s sake… (vv. 41, ff.). From the text it’s clear that Solomon is praying for foreign “pilgrims” who travel to Jerusalem, to the temple to pray to the God of Israel. But my heart went out to people in our own United States who have come to our country, both legally and illegally, seeking a better life for themselves and their families. I particularly have in mind our Avanza kids and their families, but there are also thousands of refugees who have come here to escape misery back home. Lord, I pray that You watch over all of these foreigners in our land.  

Blessings.

Fred