I want us to look at Solomon’s prayer of dedication of the temple. There are many prayers in the Bible, some short, some long. This is a long one, but the number of words is not important. One must pray in the right way, with the right spirit, and from the depths of his heart. This is a wish for the house of God. It’s ready to be used. The only way it could belong to God was for the people to give it to him. Let’s look at the beginning of the prayer.
II Chronicles 6: 12And he stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands: 13For Solomon had made a brasen scaffold of five cubits long, and five cubits broad, and three cubits high, and had set it in the midst of the court: and upon it he stood, and kneeled down upon his knees before all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven. 14And said, O LORD God of Israel, there is no God like thee in the heaven, nor in the earth; which keepest covenant, and shewest mercy unto thy servants, that walk before thee with all their hearts: 15Thou which hast kept with thy servant David my father that which thou hast promised him; and spakest with thy mouth, and hast fulfilled it with thine hand, as it is this day. 16Now therefore, O LORD God of Israel, keep with thy servant David my father that which thou hast promised him, saying, There shall not fail thee a man in my sight to sit upon the throne of Israel; yet so that thy children take heed to their way to walk in my law, as thou hast walked before me. 17Now then, O LORD God of Israel, let thy word be verified, which thou hast spoken unto thy servant David. 18But will God in very deed dwell with men on the earth? behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house which I have built! 19Have respect therefore to the prayer of thy servant, and to his supplication, O LORD my God, to hearken unto the cry and the prayer which thy servant prayeth before thee: 20That thine eyes may be open upon this house day and night, upon the place whereof thou hast said that thou wouldest put thy name there; to hearken unto the prayer which thy servant prayeth toward this place.
Consider this powerful prayer not because of the majesty of the words but because it comes from Solomon’s heart. It’s a heart rending prayer to stir and challenge. I feel as if I’m almost asked by Solomon if I pray with this type of approach. Do I really express my heart to God? Do I see things like God sees them? No doubt Solomon was busy. He was a very wise and sought-after king. His time was limited. It seems like we never have enough time to pray, but we must make the time. That’s what Solomon has done here.
The temple was a wonder of the earth. He could have looked back and said it looks like a house of God, but that wasn’t enough for Solomon. It was built according to the divine blueprints. It was glorious because it represented God’s dwelling place on earth. It is not enough to have things of God; we must have God. Solomon knew it needed the presence of God. No matter how many our possessions, no matter how fine a church house we have, without the presence of God it is just another building. When the presence of God is not in the church house or the house of our heart, it is empty. Solomon sensed the need for God’s approval and felt the necessity of God being there. All the altars, the candlesticks, and curtains were in vain if God didn’t come down. Solomon begged for the Lord to come.
His approach was careful. He went to the altar. He realized the reverence of it. This church is a sacred place. Solomon could have strutted up to it. He was the king. However, he stood in the presence of the congregation and spread his hands to God. Then he knelt. We must have the correct posture when we pray. Kneeling on our knees is a symbol, but we must have the correct posture of heart. Our will must come to its knees. We cannot conjure God down. We must humble ourselves before him and reach our hands to heaven as a child reaches for its father.
We often call it Solomon’s temple. I’m sure he wouldn’t approve of that. It was God’s temple. We need to remember that about ourselves too. We are the temple of God. We are not our own; we’ve been bought with a price. Solomon turned himself toward God and he came down. It was a thoughtful deliberation. His words were carefully chosen. Many times we’re too casual when we pray. We don’t bring God down to our size. He’s the King-of-Glory-size. The words don’t matter near as much as the thoughts of our heart and soul. Solomon was interceding for the people. Their wish was for God to fulfill the promise given to David and fill the house with his presence. The whole world would know there was contact with God.
The heavens can’t contain God. Solomon knew this. He wondered how he could even expect God to occupy the space they had within the walls of the temple. The wonderful thing is that the heavens cannot contain God, but he can fit himself into our heart. He has that ability. He enters in as our Savior, King, and Lord. He will speak to us just like he did the High Priests, Solomon, and David.
With that thought in mind Solomon asked that God’s eyes may be open upon this house day and night. He saw the benefit of God looking kindly upon the place. Have respect unto it was his prayer. God did more. He came down in the fullness of his presence.
Solomon’s wish was granted. His wish should be our wish. We should want the glory of God for this church. Not only that. It should be our wish for our personal lives too. Can it happen? Yes. God chooses to dwell not just with us but in us. Have you sought the Lord in this manner? If you desire it, you will have it. Open the gates and the King of Glory will come in.
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 