In 1 Kings 8:27-30, we sense that Solomon was humbled by the thought that God would come and dwell in the temple that he had built for Him. While he had the temple built, he dared not presume on God and assume that He would be obliged to dwell there. For he knew that heaven was, and still is, God’s true dwelling place.
The temple Solomon had built in honor of God was no doubt a noble
ambition and achievement. But Solomon knew deep in his heart that God had no
need for a temple. For He is far too great, far too grand, and far too glorious
to be restricted and be confined to a particular place.
So
the king humbly pled with God to incline His ears and eyes toward him and the
people of Israel as they offer their prayers toward this temple. This is the
reason many Jews still pray facing the site of the temple in Jerusalem. Notice in
verse 30, Solomon particularly asked God to hear their prayers and forgive. That
is because forgiveness is a critical need that we fallen people require most from
God.
These
verses teach us never to presume on God. We cannot afford to take Him for
granted. It is true that God is ever willing to listen to us and forgive us.
But guilt always makes us want to avoid God. Yet the one way to remedy the
wrong and overcome our guilt is to boldly approach the throne of grace, draw
near to God and confess our needs for forgiveness. So Hebrews 4:16 exhorts us
saying, “Therefore let us draw near with confidence
to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in
time of need.” What a promise!
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