In 2 Chronicles 7 we see that the Temple built in Jerusalem is now complete. Solomon has followed God’s plan, built on His foundation, and now all of Israel is at the dedication of the Temple.
11 When Solomon had finished
the temple of the LORD and the royal palace, and had succeeded in
carrying out all he had in mind to do in the temple of the LORD and in
his own palace, 12 the LORD appeared to him at night and said: “I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for myself as a temple for sacrifices. 13 “When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people, 14 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 I will hear from
heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 15 Now my
eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this
place. 16 I have chosen and consecrated this temple so that my Name may
be there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there.
God heard
Solomon’s and the people’s prayers, accepts their offerings, and showed
up in their presence. He also had a warning that there would be a time
in the near future that they would turn their backs on Him. There would
be a response to their sin in the form of a drought, plague, sickness,
or death. In God’ infinite grace and mercy he offers a way to
reconciliation and forgiveness. His heart’s desire is that we will not
leave Him, because He will never leave us. He will always be there for
you. Amen?