2 Chronicles 4 lists the making of the articles for use in the Temple. Over and over again we read either that King Solomon or Hiram made this item or that. We read of dozens and dozens of items and of one thing we can be sure: King Solomon most likely didn’t make any of the items himself. Hiram oversaw the casting of the items, but he probably did make any of the items himself. Currently, we are in the final phases of constructing the Children’s Nurture and Discipleship Center at New Life. A number of you have said, “You have certainly done a lot of work!” The truth is on this particular building, I haven’t done any work. When we built the first building, I did a good deal of hands on work on the project, but I haven’t done anything on this one. When such a major project is undertaken, the leader receives credit for “building” it, but the workers are the ones who do the building. It was true in King Solomon’s era, and it is true in ours. Each of you who have prayed for the project, or given money toward the project have been part of building the building. In the end, though, God will receive the glory for any good thing that takes place in it, and for seeing the project through to completion and putting the building into use. King Solomon would undoubtedly have said the same thing in his day. Let’s acknowledge the many workers who have overseen the project, coordinated the project, and poured and leveled the concrete, nailed the walls and trusses together, installed the wiring and plumbing, and all the details to get us to where we are. Let’s continue to pray for the materials we need to arrive–fifty-seven of the doors arrived yesterday!, and to lift up the workers in prayer, so we’ll be able to start using the building as soon as possible.
2 Chronicles 5 records the bringing of the Ark of the Covenant into the Temple. The process involved a great procession, so many sacrifices that the number of animals could not be counted, and eventually the presence of the LORD filling the Temple as the Ark was placed in the inner sanctuary of the Temple. This was a memorable day for every person who saw it. If we fast forward to this moment, something much more incredible is taking place: inside each of us who bear the name of Jesus the presence of the living God lives. While we gather in church buildings or houses to worship with one another, and the LORD’s presence is with us in that, wherever we are, and wherever we go, God is in us and goes with us by His Holy Spirit. Let’s remember to thank God for this amazing reality, and to live in His power every moment of this day, to His glory and praise!
2 Chronicles 6 records Solomon’s dedication of the Temple and his prayer to the LORD. While the entire chapter is significant, let’s focus on Solomon’s humility before the LORD. Before he prayed, Solomon fell to his knees. He was the king of a great nation, and yet he humbled himself before God in prayer. He thanked and praised God for humbling Himself to be with Israel. He prayed for the LORD to respond to the prayers of the people offered in the Temple, or even offered facing toward the Temple, and to do so especially when the people had sinned, and repented before Him. Solomon acknowledged the people would sin, and the necessity of repentance for God to respond to our prayers. While we live in a time when Jesus has sacrificed Himself for us and become both LORD and Savior of our lives through His resurrection and return to heaven, we, too, must repent when we have sinned for Him to hear and respond to our prayers. We see this clearly throughout the Bible, but never more clearly than in 2 Chronicles 6-7.
In 2 Chronicles 7 we read God’s response to Solomon’s prayer. The response came in three parts. First, God sent fire and burned up all the sacrifices offered by the people. Second, God’s presence filled the Temple, so that the priests couldn’t even go inside it. Finally, God appeared that night to Solomon and gave him a personal answer to the prayers he offered in 2 Chronicles 6. Significantly, God said, “13When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command the locust to devour the land, or send pestilence among my people, 14if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:13-14 (ESV) This response of the LORD is quoted often during National Day of Prayer celebrations, and at other times when we focus on God corporately, particularly as He relates to nations. This is a good use of this response. Note the order: 1) the whole people who are called by God’s name; 2) humble ourselves; 3) we pray and seek God’s face; 4) we turn from our wicked ways, or we repent, then God will hear our prayers, will forgive our sins, and will heal our land. We live in an incredibly individualistic culture in America, but as those belonging to the LORD, we must not only pray for ourselves and our own needs, but for our church family, and for our nation. As we do, and as we remember we are God’s people first, as we humble ourselves, as we pray and seek God’s face, and repent, God will hear, forgive and heal us. What an amazing promise! It was true when God spoke it to Solomon, and because Jesus came, lived, died, rose again, returned to heaven and sent the Holy Spirit to us, we can be sure it is just as true for us today.