This is what the temple is for

"This is what the temple is for" - 1 Kings 8:22-45 Never, in all his glory from his throne of marble and gold, did Solomon appear so great as now. The posture he adopted in his prayer was very reverent and expressive of "humility", seriousness, and fervor. Being king he knelt before all the congregation of Israel. This posture is very appropriate for prayer. (Ephesians 3:14). Mr. Herbert said: Kneeling never spoils silk stockings. (v. 54) He was like this until the end of his prayer, God, as our Father who is in heaven.

I. He stretched out his hands as if to offer his prayer from an enlarged heart and present it in

Heaven.

A. To receive from there, with both arms, the favor that his prayer demanded.

1. It was a long prayer, there was much to pray for on that very special day.

2. (v. 23) He gives glory to God, praises God for who He is (there is no God like You, neither up in heaven nor down on earth).

3. That You keep the covenant and mercies to Your servants.

4. Now brother, observe what the temple should be: the altar, the Word, the worship for your life, it is not the one who is next to you, it is the One who is above who has made pact with you, through the blood of Christ.

5. (v. 27) A humble admiration for pleasing God, for having the temple as His special dwelling: "But is it true that God will dwell on the earth?

6. Can we imagine that an infinite, high, holy, "self-happy" Being is so abated (to descend, is not to humble oneself) that He can be said to dwell on earth?

7. Secondly, what a humble recognition of the inability of the house he had built, even though it was very spacious, to contain God: "Behold, the heavens and the heavens of heavens cannot contain you; How much less this house that I have built?

8. For an immense God, neither the entire Universe (nor millions of Universes) is enough space to contain Him.

9. (v. 28) A humble, fervent, faith-filled prayer: Yet You will answer the prayer (not that of the king of Israel, but of) Your servant.

10. (V. 29, 30) Third: May God equally deign to hear and answer "all prayers" that at any time are made, either in this place or looking at this place. (Daniel prayed: 6:10 opened the windows of his chamber facing Jerusalem, knelt three times a day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he used to do before.)

11. (v. 30) You will hear it in Your dwelling place in heaven; listen and forgive.

12. (V. 31, 32) If on the altar the oath is taken between two persons and is made in the direction of the altar, pray to God that, in one way or another, the truth will be discovered and judge between the parties.

13. If the people are groaning under any national calamity, or any Israelite is afflicted by any personal misery, let the prayers they lift up in this place or in the direction of it be heard and answered.

14. In case of public calamities, he cannot, nor willing, ask that his prayers be heard unless

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they "turn from sin (v. 35) and turn to God (v. 33). (v. 36) If they do so, pray that God will hear them from heaven, forgive them of their sin, "teach them the right way in which they walk, and remove from them the punishment and grant the favor they asked for." This is what "the temple" is for: prayer, struggle, learning the Word, sanctifying oneself; It is not to conquer for one people, positions, etc. (v. 38-40) In case of personal afflictions (not taking the telephone, calling everyone for prayer or telling the afflictions), he does not descend to details, since the afflictions that humanity suffers are so numerous and varied. When anyone felt the plague in his heart and stretched out his hands... You (v. 39) will hear in heaven, because you are omniscient (knowledge of all real things exclusive to God) (only You know the hearts of all the children of men). (v. 40) That they may fear You all the days they live. (v. 41-43) The stranger and everyone who comes to the God of Israel, so that all peoples may know Him. On the house he built, for healing, freedom, salvation, and life with God. (v. 44-45) In battle God will do justice. Amen.