That the World May Know

And may these words of mine, which I have prayed before the LORD, be near to the LORD our God day and night, that he may uphold the cause of his servant and the cause of his people Israel according to each day's need... 1 Kings 8:59 (NIV)

In First Kings 8, Solomon had just completed building the temple of the Lord. It took seven years and six months to construct the long awaited temple that would serve as God’s royal palace and the national center for worship for the Israelites. For generations, people would recognize this as the dwelling place of God on earth as they directed their prayers toward this Holy temple and brought their sacrifices and offerings to its altar. Imagine the magnificence of it with its golden walls, floors, tables and golden lamp stands, ornate bronze columns and intricately carved, pure gold overlaid woodwork. This was quite an exceptional accomplishment achieved under the direction of one wise and humble God-fearing man.

God had blessed Solomon not only with great opportunity, but with wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore. (1 Kings 4:29, NIV) Additionally, the Bible tells us that he received riches and honor that could not be equaled by another. He could easily have boasted, “Look at what my hands have made!” Yet, as Solomon stood before God and Israel to dedicate the work of his hands, he offered up an amazing prayer of dedication thanking God for his faithfulness, requesting mercy and forgiveness for his people and seeking salvation for the foreigners who will hear of God from distant lands.

As he wrapped up his prayer to the Lord, he turned to the assembly gathered and blessed them. I could not help but notice inclination of Solomon’s heart throughout his benediction in 1 Kings 8:56-60. He expressed his hope for God’s presence to remain with Israel and his desire that He would be comfort enough for them. But then he says this: Not that he may enlarge our coasts or increase our wealth, but that he may turn our hearts to him. (v. 58, emphasis added) In verse 59 he requests, let a gracious return be made to every prayer that shall be made here…that we would receive grace sufficient for every need. Why? That all the people may know that the Lord is God… and may come and worship him. (KJV) Solomon’s purpose was that God would ultimately receive the glory for Israel’s blessing, that their hearts would be inclined toward Him and through these, all the peoples of the earth may know that the LORD is God. (v. 60)

How and why do you pray? Do you praise God for the magnificence that he has created through you? Do you seek God’s wisdom? Is He your source of comfort? Regardless of your supplication, the question to ultimately ask is this: What is your purpose for asking? Do you wish God to increase your territory and your wealth? Are you asking God for personal edification, or for some other thing that would be to your benefit? Know this: God will supply your need, but not so you may marvel at the splendor of what you have received or accomplished, but so that you and others around you may see and know that He alone is God.

Prayer Focus:
In your own prayer life, ask yourself what is your purpose. If your purpose is not that God be glorified so that all may know He is God, ask him to incline your heart toward this purpose. It is our nature to stray from God. As the prophet Jeremiah said, the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked… Jeremiah 17:9 (NKJV) It is through God’s generous and abundant grace that our hearts yield to him and this we must continually seek in prayer. Ask the Lord today for grace sufficient for your every need so that others may look and see that the Lord is God.

©2009 by Stephanie French. All rights reserved.