“Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and heal their land. My eyes will be open and my ears attentive to every prayer made in this place. For I have chosen this Temple…I will always watch over it, for it is dear to my heart.”
2 Chronicles 7:14-16 NLT
These often-quoted words become even more powerful when we understand their context. Solomon had presented many requests to the LORD at the Temple dedication, and God’s response paints a beautiful picture of relationship.
Solomon had asked God to hear and forgive His people when they repented because of no rain, grasshoppers, or plagues. (6:26-30) God promised He WOULD hear their prayer and He WOULD forgive. (7:14)—a restoring relationship.
Solomon asked for God’s eyes to be open and His ears attentive to their prayers (6:40), and God responded, “My eyes WILL be open and My ears attentive…” (7:15). Solomon had asked for God to watch over the Temple (6:20), and God said HE had chosen the Temple and set it apart He would always watch over it, for it is dear to my heart. (7:16)—a loving relationship.
It’s interesting that Solomon had not asked God for love, but God certainly poured it out in that famous verse. He not only promised to hear and forgive—God promised to heal and restore! Those miracles flow from His heart of love.
God does not want forced, mechanical relationships with those He loves. So, God gives us a choice—
IF you humble yourselves and seek Me (7:14), IF you faithfully follow Me (7:17)—
this love relationship is yours—IF you say yes!
Comments