My Name Shall Be There

God's People Worship
The Prophet and Praise
Temple Restored

1 Kings 8:22-32

The Message

^22-25 Before the entire congregation of Israel, Solomon took a position before the Altar, spread his hands out before heaven, and prayed,

O God, God of Israel, there is no God like you in the skies above or on the earth below who unswervingly keeps covenant with his servants and relentlessly loves them as they sincerely live in obedience to your way. You kept your word to David my father, your personal word. You did exactly what you promised—every detail. The proof is before us today!

Keep it up, God, O God of Israel! Continue to keep the promises you made to David my father when you said, “You’ll always have a descendant to represent my rule on Israel’s throne, on the condition that your sons are as careful to live obediently in my presence as you have.”

²⁶ O God of Israel, let this all happen;
    confirm and establish it!

^27-32 Can it be that God will actually move into our neighborhood? Why, the cosmos itself isn’t large enough to give you breathing room, let alone this Temple I’ve built. Even so, I’m bold to ask: Pay attention to these my prayers, both intercessory and personal, O God, my God. Listen to my prayers, energetic and devout, that I’m setting before you right now. Keep your eyes open to this Temple night and day, this place of which you said, “My Name will be honored there,” and listen to the prayers that I pray at this place.

Listen from your home in heaven and when you hear, forgive.

When someone hurts a neighbor and promises to make things right, and then comes and repeats the promise before your Altar in this Temple, listen from heaven and act accordingly: Judge your servants, making the offender pay for his offense and setting the offended free of any charges.

For Reflection

God lives in our neighborhoods!   He is the butcher, the baker and electrical engineer.  He is the housewife and her child.  He is the pastor and the local bartender.  He is the doctor and the carpenter.  He is the environmental scientist and the garbage collector.  He lives in all of us. 

He uses us to make things right.  He is true to His word.  He promises and follows through.  He sets us free to act with him, freeing us from worldly influences.  Praise be to God!  Yes!

Pray

prayer of praise for the wonder that is God.  Pray prayers of thanksgiving for saving you from yourself.  Pray often and pray deeply.