Week of May 25

How long are we willing to wait for an answer to prayer? The span of time between the completion of the temple and Solomon’s palace was 13 years (cf. 1 Kings 7:1; 9:10; HCBC; EBC)! This was the second time the Lord appeared to Solomon; the first was at Gibeon at the beginning of his reign (2 Chronicles 1:3-13). One wonders what the king must have thought in all those subsequent years. I know what I might think: “Has God forgotten His promises?” Let’s learn about the God who stays in our focal passage today.

Abraham experienced a similar waiting period in his faith journey, as did Jacob and Joseph. Naomi suffered hardship in Moab, and we all know the tragedy that befell Job! Israel circled about Sinai for 40 years, and . . . need I go on? In all of these “faith walks” we may discover some consistent truths. First, God has never left His people without His presence to guide and comfort. Secondly, He disciplined as needed to call His children back to His way. The truth is “the Truth” never leaves “a people called by His name.”

God’s truth is there to guide (7:14). Keeping in mind our deeper understanding of the temple, we may see here that God has chosen to make His presence known to His people and does so through His Holy House. His presence requires something from His people. God not only has preferences, He also has prescriptions. His people are: 1) to obey His commands, which means they are to cease from their sins; 2) to reject self-centeredness; and 3) to yield their desires to His “Word and will” (EBC). Notice the steps move ever deeper and inward in the three-part directions. 

God’s faithful people desire His truth. Not one of us feels comfortable floating around in the “kiddie pool” or dining on baby food for the entirety of our lives, nor should we (1 Peter 2;1-3). Prayer that leads to revival begins with lives that sincerely want the spiritual depth that this petition requires (cf. 7:15). In Ashlock speak, “Platform diving into the depths of God’s goodness happens in the deep end of commitment.” Let’s see what follows this type of commitment.

The truth opens our view to see the end times. The Chronicler’s eschatology (end-time view) shines forth in these verses (7:18; cf. Micah 5:2). The Admiral of this spiritual sea is Messiah (cf. vv. 17-18). None of this is without conditions. God’s people must be willing to obey (cf. 2 Samuel 7:14b; 1 Kings 9:6-9). Israel would learn how much could go wrong when a nation finds itself adrift spiritually (1 Kings 11:1-8; 2 Chronicles 36:16). The result was precisely what Solomon had envisioned in his prayer (6:36).

We have all read stories of people who were lost at sea, and the desperation that ensues once they realize that no one is coming to the rescue. Some who are reading this devotional know what spiritual desperation feels like! What changed everything? You remembered that the Admiral of the sea has not gone away. Solomon’s people were worshiping in a new temple that would one day be destroyed, but God’s choice of them was still valid. Praise God, the same is true in our lives when we drift from the Lord (cf. the Waiting Father in Luke 15:11-32; Luke 8:22-25).

I once lost some computer files and was in a bit of a panic because they were needed. I found myself discouraged and wondered what I would do. Finally, I recalled that I had an older laptop stored away on which I had stored some data. I re-charged the battery and, even though the machine was much slower than the newer model I now had, a version of the files I had lost was there! I was filled with joy. 

Here is the spiritual point. The files were there all along, of course, but you know where I am going with this, don’t you? God has not moved, and He has not forgotten His promise to redeem. However, we often overlook it. Return to the last point where God was real to you. He is waiting for your return and prayer of commitment. Pray it.

1. Re-read 2 Chronicles 7 and write down the evidence of God’s powerful presence and approval. Compare the list with your personal spiritual walk. Adjust your worship accordingly if you discover an alarming lack of God’s presence in your life.

2. Jot down the key indicators of God’s discipline in 2 Chronicles 7:11-22. Then, write down the ingredients of renewal. Close the gap between these two realities in your spiritual walk by praying patiently and waiting for God’s response. He will visit!

3. For Families: God’s steadfast love endures forever. Does your family know the worship song, “Forever,” by Chris Tomlin? Click here to remember the tune and words. Maybe you could teach it to your children and sing it for your benediction when you sit down to eat supper or tuck the kids into bed this week. Remind them often that God can be trusted. His love endures forever and He will never leave us.

May your paths be straight,
Larry C. Ashlock