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?
