“Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt-offering and the sacrifices: and the glory of the Lord filled the house.” 2 Chronicles 7:1
In Christ’s Sermon on the Mount, He addresses the matter of prayer, especially concerning not only the exercise of it, but the hope and certainty of it. Why? It is because of the faithfulness of God implied in the words of the prayer, but also in their effectual working, and certain realization. The Lord first speaks of aloneness with God, addressing the Father in faith. It is a meeting away from the eyes of men, as it is a holy meeting between God and man. It is there, in the presence of the the Father, trusting the Holy Spirit to lead, that a wonderful promise is given, that we see realized in the days of Solomon at the time of the consecration of the finished temple. In Jesus’ prayer He speaks of praying in such a way, manner, and by a certain means, that the Father “…who seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.” (Matt. 6:6) We find this same concept clearly revealed to us in the book of Hebrews, chapter eleven, verse six: “…for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.” Such was the case of Solomon.
Scripture tells us that, at the dedication to God of the finished temple in Jerusalem, Solomon, stood befoe the altar of the Lord in the presence of all the congregation of Israel. He then kneeled, spread forth his hands towards heaven, and prayed. His prayer began with the worship of the Lord God of Israel, declaring: “…there is no God like Thee in the heaven, nor in the earth, which keepest covenant, and shewest mercy unto Thy servants, that walk before Thee with all their hearts.” (2 Chronicles 6:14) He goes on to put things in their true context by asking the question, “But will God in very deed dwell with men on the earth? Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house which I have built?” (v.18) Solomon’s prayer is founded upon the faithfulness, mercy, and grace of God, who has chosen to dwell with men, hear their cry and prayer, and who will see from heaven, and answer the one who truly, and whole-heartedly seeks Him, especially in those moments when the discovery is made that the individual or nation, has turned aside from the true worship of God, and is now in a position of desperation and need. It is then, through several examples that Solomon uses in his prayer, that the individual, and the nation, can again seek God, if there is true repentance, and a turning back to Him. It is at this point that there is the realization that He is indeed a “Rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.” How then does God answer, and intervene in the life or the nation?
The appeal of Solomon in his prayer is first and foremost that God would see from heaven, and hear the prayer of the seeking, desperate heart. There is then the call to God to forgive sin, and cleanse fully, then the appeal to bring them back “…to the land,” or that place in heart and mind where they are right with God, according to His righteousness and mercy. The whole prayer is based upon the faithfulness of God, the God of the temple in Jerusalem, whose Ark of the Covenant resides in that temple, to respond in mercy and faithfulness, to restore and to revive. Is the appeal valid?
The fire of God fell from heaven upon Solomon’s sacrifice that day, and was a symbol of His acceptance of Solomon’s prayer. He accepted the conditions, that if the people, called by His name, would humble themselves, pray, and seek His face, turnning from their wicked ways, then He WOULD hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land. (2 Chr. 7:14)
Dear Father, Heal us as we seek Thee. In Jesus’ name, Amen.