Seek the Truth

When Solomon dedicated the temple of the Lord in 1 Kings 8, he stood before the alter and spread his hands toward heaven.

He said, "Lord God of Israel, there is no God like you, in heaven above or on earth beneath, who keeps covenant and mercy with your servants that walk before you with all their heart."

God kept David safe and promised the building of the temple, and on this day the temple was completed.  Solomon asked God to keep his promise to David, that not one man fail Him that sits on the throne of Israel, so that the children of Israel walk justly before God.

Solomon was very humble.  How could God be with him on earth when even the heavens could not contain God?  How much less this temple that he built?

He thanked God for answering prayer that He would look towards the temple day and night.  That His Name would be there.

He asked God to listen to the temple, and when He hears, forgive the people.  If any trespass against his neighbor, let them make a covenant in their hearts to God in the temple.  Solomon asked God to hear in heaven and then take action, judging the servants, condemning the wicked, justifying and blessing the righteous.  If any sin against God, let them confess His name and pray in the temple.

Solomon asked that if God caused famine or any other plague because of their sin, let men pray toward the temple and confess God's name, and turn away from their sin.  When God hears it in heaven, let God forgive the sin of His servants.  Let God teach them the righteous pathways and bless the people.  

Solomon asked that if strangers come, who are not children of Israel, let them be blessed when they pray towards the temple.  Let God answer their prayer so that all men know God and fear God.

In battle, he asked that if any pray towards the temple, let God hear and answer their prayer to help them.  Solomon said that there is no man that does not sin.  He asked God not to be angry with them and deliver them into the hands of the enemy.  Yet if they happen to find themselves in a strange land, let them return to God with all their heart and soul, praying toward the temple, and let God grant mercy to help them.

With a loud voice, he proclaimed, "Blessed be the Lord!"  Not one word of God failed, from the time they were delivered from Egypt to the building of the temple.  Solomon said that God will not leave us or forsake us.

He said let all the people of the earth know that the Lord is God, and that there is none else.  Let the hearts of men be perfect with the Lord God, keeping God's commandments.

As it applies today, Jesus said, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.  This is the first and great commandment.  And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.  On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." (Matt 22:37-40)

As Christians, we should ask ourselves:  Do we lift up and praise God?  Are our hearts and minds solely on God in our worship, or are we lifting up the leaders who preach it?  Do we forgive one another, praying for those who abuse us in our churches, or do we only pray for ourselves?  Do we love God with all our heart, soul, and mind, or do we allow our minds to wander on earthly things?  Do we pray for our neighbor's wants or needs, loving them as we love ourselves?