Today’s reading: 1 Kings 7:13-8:61
My selection: I Kings 8:41-43
“Likewise, when a foreigner, who is not of your people Israel, comes from a far country for your name’s sake 42 (for they shall hear of your great name and your mighty hand, and of your outstretched arm), when he comes and prays toward this house, 43 hear in heaven your dwelling place and do according to all for which the foreigner calls to you, in order that all the peoples of the earth may know your name and fear you, as do your people Israel, and that they may know that this house that I have built is called by your name.
My reflections:
What a kind and loving request Solomon makes for believing foreigners!
Solomon understands that the God of Israel, Jehovah, is the God of all the earth and of all the peoples of the earth. He prays that God will hear the foreigner’s prayers when he comes for His name’s sake and pray toward the temple. Solomon asks that the praying Gentile find grace, mercy, and provision before God’s throne.
This attitude and these words sound especially gracious when we think of the general disdain that the Jews held for the Gentiles in New Testament times. They were dogs. They were unclean. So Solomon showed love for the Gentiles, but he also shows great love for God and for God’s glory. There is nothing better than that a human being should turn to the Lord no matter what his race or ethnicity.
My challenge: Do you pray for the salvation of the lost, especially of the lost who seem very different from you? Do you pray that they will hear of God’s great name, His mighty hand and His outstretched arm?
Pray that lost people from every nation may see the greatness of God and turn to Him.
Tomorrow’s reading: 1 Kings 8:62-11:25
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