Solomon blesses the people

2 Chronicles Chapter 6

Solomon blessed the people and prayed to the Lord for honoring the promise he made to David. Solomon's prayer can be found in verses 1 through 11.

Then Solomon stood with his hands spread out before the altar of the Lord in front of the entire community of Israel. He prayed aloud and the words can be found in verses 14 through 40. In this prayer, he asks the Lord to help Israel defeat their enemies and forgive them their sins. He asked the Lord to teach the people to do what was right and send rain on the land. And he asked that if the people have grave troubles, that the Lord give them what they deserve.

Further, Solomon asked the Lord to let foreigners hear of his mighty miracles and come to worship at the Temple, so that all the people on earth would come to know and fear the Lord.

Please read the entire prayer in this chapter because it is so beautiful and timely.

BIBLE NOTES SHOW: Solomon marveled that God would willingly live among sinful people. Just as we marvel that God, through his son Jesus, lived among us in human form.

Why did Solomon assume that drought would come as a result of sin? Sin is not necessarily the direct cause of natural disasters today, but this was a special case. God made the agreement with the Israelites that drought could be a consequence of their sins (Deuteronomy 28: 20-24).

HOW DOES THIS CHAPTER RELATE TO US TODAY? In his prayer, Solomon noted the fact that God stands ready to hear his people to forgive their sins and restore their relationship with him. Today, God does the same for us. He is listening for our confession and our re- commitment to obey him. He hears us when we pour out our needs and problems.

The Bible makes it clear that no one is exempt from sin, not even his appointed kings. Sin is a condition we all share. Knowing this fact, we should all stay close to our God, and seek his guidance and his strength.

Yours in Christ,
Mary

Prayer Requests are needed for:
HEALTH:
Update on my niece Suzanne, she is healing but her leg was crushed and will take many months of doctoring. She is in a nursing home for rehab care. Pray for her healing. Also Gabe, Wanda, Janice Long’s parents. especially her mother whose cancer has returned, and Arlene’s nephew David. Pray for my neighbor Al who is nearing the end of his life. Pray for Carolyn’s brother Ronald who has cancer. Pray for our friend Michelle who was diagnosed with MS. Pray for Cyndi Sullivan who was given 14 months to live with cancer, but has made it six years. The pain has returned and she needs our prayers.
UPDATE on Barb who went in for back surgery and had a heart attack and stroke, she has 90 percent of her speech back and is home , but continues to have a problem with one arm and hand. She will require long therapy and insurance may soon be a problem since her job was not held for her.
Pray for Robert Sargent with lung cancer and Marthaline Sargent with serious health issues..
Pray for Carolyn’s friend Margaret and her husband who were in a car accident. As elderly drivers they may face a life change which may cost them their independence. Let’s all raise our voices to God to hear our prayers.
Pray for the speedy recovery of Sandy in Minnesota who underwent successful brain surgery for a tumor recently.
SPIRITUAL UPLIFTING: Gail, Mary
RESTORATION OF FAITH: Al, John
LOVE AND SUPPORT: Claire, Hunter, Brian
SUPPORT: Haiti, Chile, survivors of Japan’s earthquake, survivors of the devastating tornadoes in our southernmost states and Joplin, Missouri. Pray too, for our country’s leaders and our military people who die each day for our freedom.