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Chronicles chapter 7 includes a scripture verse that should provide
hope to anyone that is uncertain of God’s desire to forgive. Many
of us pray with no anticipation of effect. We pray in vague
generalities, or we pray unaware that we have access to the Creator
of All. Specific prayer builds our faith because we can see God’s
specific answers. The chapter begins, “When
Solomon finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the
burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the Lord filled
the temple“.
God clearly demonstrated His acceptance of the sacrifice and
Solomon’s prayer in the previous chapter. And notice the reaction
of all those that observed God’s answer, “When
all the Israelites saw the fire coming down and the glory of the
Lord… they knelt on the pavement with their faces to the ground,
and they worshiped and gave thanks to the Lord… offered sacrifices…
praising the Lord“.
God is Holy and when we experience His presence, we are humbled and
the only possible response is worship. The people responded with
praise because there is nothing more uplifting than forgiveness.
Have you experienced that joy lately?
We
cannot overlook the reality that the Temple was a bloody place of
atonement. It was a place where the consequence of man’s
disobedience was made abundantly clear. “Solomon
offered a sacrifice of twenty-two thousand head of cattle and a
hundred and twenty thousand sheep and goats“.
Each animal was sacrificed according the ritual prescribed in
Leviticus. And still that was not enough to permanently cleanse them
of their sin, but it did produce humility. It is interesting how
humility always produces unity. “Solomon
observed the festival at that time for seven days …On the eighth
day they held an assembly, for they had celebrated the dedication of
the altar for seven days and the festival for seven days more”
No one wanted to leave. Eventually, Solomon “sent
the people to their homes, joyful and glad in heart“.
Humility also produces unity with God, “the
Lord appeared to him at night“.
James 4:10 tells us the first step in fellowship with God, “Humble
yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up“.
There are 5 words that mend relationships, “I’m sorry, please
forgive me”.
God
spoke to Solomon, but the message is for all of His people. God is
not concerned with brick and mortar; He is focused on His people.
The chapter closes with God’s warning that the Temple is little
more than a symbol. “If
you turn away and forsake the decrees and commands… and go off to
serve other gods and worship them, then I will uproot Israel from my
land… and will reject this temple… I will make it… an object of
ridicule… And though this temple is now so imposing, all who pass
by will be appalled“.
God alone knows the condition of our heart and He is the God of
second chances (and 3rd,
4th
and 5th).
God gives Solomon an insight into His merciful heart. “If
my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray
and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear
from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land“.
There is no coercion necessary, God desires to forgive and restore
all that seek His forgiveness. There is a requirement for “turning
away”, but in truth, that is a byproduct of turning toward God.
Repentance is an inner change of heart and mind that produces an
outward change in conduct. Are you stubbornly resisting change?