7th Dec

2 Chronicles 6     Habakkuk 2     2 John 1     (Click on the Reference to go to the passage)

Solomon starts by reminding the assembled people of how until now God had not wanted to have a temple built for Him until He had settled the children of Israel.  But God was now fulfilling His promise to David as God had chosen both a leader for Israel and a city for His temple.  And as we read in the previous chapter, because the temple had been built when and where God wanted it, God had filled the temple with glory.  There follows a long prayer which uses examples of security, drought, famine and captivity to express the basic heartfelt request that when God's people repent of their sin, God will hear them, forgive and restore them.  And when they pray He will uphold their cause.

This should be our prayer.  As individuals and as a Church there will be times when we depart from God's plan, and we too will need to turn back to God, repent and ask for his forgiveness and restoration.  Until we repent we find ourselves in the wrong place as described in this chapter.  But when we pray, then that opens channels for God's goodness and love to flow.  Then we return to the intimate relationship with Him that we see so graphically shown in this time of dedication.  The people all together, and God covering them all in his glory.  Perfection.

(member of Christ Church congregation)