Hear and Forgive

When Solomon dedicated the very first temple to the Lord in Jerusalem, he held a very long ceremony lasting many days sacrificing many animals.  He also prayed a long prayer of intercession and thanksgiving before the people.  This verse in the book of 1 Kings is part of that prayer.  He is asking God that when a member of Israel should pray to Him towards this place, the Temple, that God would hear and forgive that man or woman.  Solomon understood that a very important part of our relationship with God is communication with Him through prayer.  He also understood that confession of sin was part of the deal, otherwise he would not have added the word “forgive” at the end of the verse.  Confession of sin is not a new part of our relationship with God but also applied to the ancient Israelites.  For example, during the time of the Judges, when a group of tribes cry out to the Lord to confess their sins and humble themselves, the Lord responds by sending a Judge to deliver them from their oppression.  They restore their broken relationship with God through humility and the confession of sin.  God rescues them in times of trouble.  The problem is that we are much like Israel who often waited until they were in deep trouble to cry out to God for help.  How many times have you decided to tackle a problem on your own leaving God out because you can handle that situation only to find later that you needed Him all along?  It was like God was our last option before we turned to Him.  

My encouragement for you today is this:  stay close to the Lord through prayer, including Him even in the most mundane of circumstances.  He wants to hear from us, and this is the kicker:  Solomon requests that “when they pray toward this place; hear in heaven Your dwelling place; hear and forgive.”  Wait, do we have to pray towards the temple in Jerusalem?  No, because there is no temple.  That was destroyed in 70 A.D.  Years earlier, as Jesus hung on the cross, the Temple veil was torn in two because, on that day through His death, everyone from anywhere on the globe had direct access to God through prayer.  No believer needs to face Jerusalem or the temple any longer.  It is direct access to God anytime, anyplace.  Wow, what a privilege.  Solomon was right about another thing; your prayers are heard directly by God in “His dwelling place.”  But this blessing is of no use if you don’t use it and you should use it to confess sins.  1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”  Confession keeps our relationship with the Lord in good standing and teaches us all about the great mercy and grace of our God who is so full of lovingkindness and ready to forgive. Why don’t you confess sins to Him, are you embarrassed?  You can’t hide anything from Him even if you try.  If you begin your day by praying to God, He will hear in heaven.  He will “hear and forgive.”

Dave F. 

  ‘69 / ‘76     Egg Harbor Twp   NJ