22 Then Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in front of the whole assembly of Israel, spread out his hands toward heaven
23 and said: “LORD, the God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth below you who keep your covenant of love with your servants who continue wholeheartedly in your way.
24 You have kept your promise to your servant David my father; with your mouth you have promised and with your hand you have fulfilled it as it is today.
25 “Now LORD, the God of Israel, keep for your servant David my father the promises you made to him when you said, ‘You shall never fail to have a successor to sit before me on the throne of Israel, if only your descendants are careful in all they do to walk before me faithfully as you have done.’
26 And now, God of Israel, let your word that you promised your servant David my father come true.
27 “But will God really dwell on earth? The heavens, even the highest heaven, cannot contain you. How much less this temple I have built!
28 Yet give attention to your servant’s prayer and his plea for mercy, LORD my God. Hear the cry and the prayer that your servant is praying in your presence this day.
29 May your eyes be open toward this temple night and day, this place of which you said, ‘My Name shall be there,’ so that you will hear the prayer your servant prays toward this place.
30 Hear the supplication of your servant and of your people Israel when they pray toward this place. Hear from heaven, your dwelling place, and when you hear, forgive.

Reflection

The Faithful Servant King (8:22–26)
Twice in these verses, Solomon connects God’s covenant promises with a condition. That condition is that God’s servants will keep His ways, walking faithfully in all they do. In this, Solomon eventually failed, as well as most of his successors. Israel’s exile is proof enough of this harsh reality. But there is one who met the conditions of faithfulness: the Son of David, our Lord and King, Jesus. His sinless life qualifies Him to sit on David’s throne forever. And because He not only lived a sinless life but became a sacrifice for our sins, we are qualified to reign with Him. His faithfulness and His sacrifice atone for our faithlessness. Let us give thanks to our faithful Servant King!

- How does Jesus’ sacrifice for your sins encourage you in times of weakness and failure? What can you do today to demonstrate your thankfulness for the Savior?

Uncaged (8:27–30)
King Solomon’s prayer reveals his wisdom and understanding of our Creator and eternal God of the universe. God is not confined to a temple, nor to earth itself. Our eternal God is as infinite and unfathomable as He may be to us, yet He is present with us. He sees and hears all that is going on in the lives of His people. The Creator and sustainer of our ever-expanding universe is as close as our breath and as near as our thoughts. God is not and cannot be caged. He is fiercely free and independent. And yet this free and uncaged God’s loving and caring presence is always with us, always available to us.

- What are some words or phrases that come to your mind when you consider God’s eternal power and His loving presence? What does God see and hear in your life today? 

A letter to God 

Lord God, my soul soars and my mind is staggered at the thought of You. You see the heavens from beginning to end and You see all of me. How great and mighty and loving You are! I praise Your greatness. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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