Tag: prayer

2 Chronicles 7.12-22

2 Chronicles 7.12-22 (1 Kings 9.1-9)

The most quoted portion of 2 Chronicles is found in these verses. It is also the most commonly misquoted portion of 2 Chronicles. 1 Kings does not contain verses 14-16 because it is looking forward and 2 Chronicles is looking back. The writer’s audience in 2 Chronicles is the post-exilic nation.

The gist of verses 12-18 is when sin happens, repentance must follow. It is also implicit that God is faithful to His Word, even when we are not faithful to follow. The promises of God are both conditional (blessings, etc) and unconditional (salvation, etc). Here God presents both promises. The success of Israel is based on their turning from sin and turning toward God. It is not enough to say that sin is wrong, they need to define it and turn from it and turn to God. The promise of the coming Messiah is unconditional.

What we can do with this passage is realize that God is calling us to do three things: humble ourselves, repent, and turn to Him. He, then, will do three things for us: hear our prayers, forgive our sins in restoring fellowship, and heal the land. The last one is debatable outside of Israel (see McGee, 1997). However, if God’s people today, the church, were to turn back to Him, the land would be healed. Not from pestilence, drought, etc. but from the socialism and other ungodly pursuits she has undertaken. This would be due to the character change of God’s people producing a change where the live. This truth is evident in James 4.7-10.

A good read on the evils of America is Dennis Prager’s Still the Best Hope.

1 Kings 8

1 Kings 8 (Cf. 2 Chronicles 5.1-7.11)

1-13-The Ark of the Covenant is brought into the Temple as are the two stone tablets containing the Ten Commandments. Verses 10-12 present the glory of God coming into the Temple. The glory of God has been with the Israelites since God called them in Exodus. He went before them in the Wilderness, visited them at Sinai, and would dwell with them until Ezekiel 10.18-19. He will pay a brief visit in the flesh (John 1.14), dwell within man (John 14.16-17), and will come again in the Kingdom (Revelation 21.2-3).

14-21-Solomon reminds the people of God’s faithfulness to His promise, covenant, with David and with all Israel.

22-53-Solomon constantly reminds Israel through this prayer that God dwells in Heaven, though He dwells in the Temple. He is also reminding Israel that all they have is still God’s and they are merely stewards or managers of what He has given. These two principles are necessary for our understanding of accomplishing God’s task. God is greater than we can imagine (Ephesians 3.20-21, cf. with verse 56). Although He indwells us through the Holy Spirit, we should never make Him commonplace as much of the current theology attempts to do when they describe Him as a friend who is hugging and kissing us. If you would like further discussion on this topic, please respond to this post. We are the managers of what God has given us. He owns it all, we are to take care of it and do as He would with it. When we get this mentality, our perspective on giving and life changes dramatically.

Verse 46 is a great reminder that we all sin and that we all need God to help us overcome our sin. What is your sin that causes you to stumble and fall (Galatians 6.1-3 and Hebrews 12.1-2)?

54-61-Solomon then blesses Israel with a reminder that God is with them.

62-66-The dedication ends with a joyful celebration; dare I say party?

When you read this long chapter, do you see elements of this in your personal daily worship and weekly corporate worship? If so, celebrate; if not, try to incorporate aspects of it this week.

A thought to ponder: though Solomon’s Temple was magnificent and beautiful, it was merely another building until God came. Our lives are just another life, our churches are just another church, until God comes in. It is at this point when these ordinary things become super-ordinary not because of what they are but because of Who chose them.

Another thought: Trace “heart” through this chapter and you will notice that we know what is in our heart (38), though we attempt to conceal it from others. God knows our heart (39), we cannot conceal anything from Him. In order to come to Him, it must be with all our heart (48). When we do, God gives us the ability to obey His Word (58). All this because this is a goal of God for our lives (61).

An example of prayer from Solomon

  • Praise and worship (22-25)
  • Revelation of self in God’s presence (26-30)
  • Requests for forgiveness sins (31-40)
  • Requests for the Lord to be merciful to those who seek Him (41-43)
  • Prays for victory (44-45)
  • Restoration when they sin (46-53)

1 Kings 3

These verses display the wisdom of Solomon. What should catch your attention is that the lowest of the low had access to Solomon. How do you display the insight God through His indwelling Spirit and His Word give to you?

1 Kings 3

Verses 1-4

Although this chapter is normally presented as Solomon’s wisdom, yet it begins with the beginning of Solomon’s troubles. Verse one tells us that Solomon married an Egyptian woman for the sake of a political alliance. Although this confirms his ranking as a world-leader, it still violated two commands given by God. The first was not to marry people who worshiped other gods and the second was not to make political alliances with other nations but to trust in God. Verses 2-3 are no better. The nation is worshiping God on the forbidden places, which are the high places, and Solomon is joining them. Although the following passages deal with the people of Canaan and not Egypt, the principles still apply. So, read Exodus 34.12-16, Deuteronomy 7.1-6, and 17.16-17 to gain insight into what Solomon was doing. Some state that Solomon broke no law of God because his wife was not Canaanite and there was no other place to worship God so the people were creative in their places (Spence-Jones, 2004). With this reasoning almost anything can receive justification. What we do notice from these three verses is Solomon’s love for God is not balanced with his knowledge of God at this point. He worshiped and did what he thought was best, not what Scriptures instructed. He needed to take every thought and deed captive (2 Corinthians 10.4-6). Verse three even indicates the writer of 1 Kings knew this was wrong. After mentioning Solomon’s love for God, he places an “except” before the next clause. We notice in 1 Kings 11.1-13 the result of doing such things. Although the ark and the tabernacle were in Jerusalem, a place of true worship was established in Gibeon, the nation along with Solomon worship where and how they pleased. God only spoke to Solomon when he went before the Lord in the correct manner.

Verses 5-15

Solomon was not as young as verse seven appears to make him. Rabbis have him at twelve or fourteen. However, we find that his son Rehoboam takes the throne when he is forty-one after Solomon had reigned for forty years (1 Kings 11.42 and 14.21). Rehoboam would have been a year old when Solomon began his reign, either as co-regent with David or as regent by himself. Either way, Solomon would be twenty or so at this point. His statement implies humility and lack of experience more than age.

Solomon’s request for God is wisdom in dealing with national matters. God was pleased with this request and granted him the request along with riches and long-life (as long as he obeyed God). The parameter of the answer is interesting. Solomon would be the wisest person to ever live but would only be the wealthiest of his time. Solomon then returns to Jerusalem to worship God.

Today we have opportunity to boldly approach God (Hebrews 4.14-16) knowing we have our requests answered when they are in alignment with His Word and will (1 John 5.13-15). We also have Christ, who is the essence of wisdom and knowledge, indwelling us (Colossians 2.3). So, what are we doing with this great privilege?

Verses 16-28

These verses display the wisdom of Solomon. What should catch your attention is that the lowest of the low had access to Solomon. How do you display the insight God through His indwelling Spirit and His Word give to you?

Psalm 143

Have we come before God realizing that without Him we are wicked and that in Him He makes us righteous and worthy? Have we considered how Satan will devour us and then ask God to strengthen us as we seek forgiveness? Why not do it now?

Psalm 143

God is faithful to His promises (Matthew 5.37 and 2 Corinthians 1.20) and to His righteousness, as verse one informs us. Based on this alone, no one should go a moment without prayer (1 Thessalonians 5.17). Based on this alone, no one should think that justice will look over sin as was promised. David knew this, as do we. God will judge sin. On Christ our sin was placed. He became our sin that we might become that which we lacked–His righteousness. This is the great trade given at the cross. This is what David needed as he faced the truth of verse two.

We don’t have physical enemies pursuing us these days, for the most part. However, we do have a spiritual enemy who is seeking to devour us daily. After all, our battle is not with flesh and blood but with powers and principalities (Ephesians 6.12). David saw his deliverance from his enemies deeply connected with forgiveness of sin. We need to see this for our lives too. Satan will devour us when we allow unconfessed sin to continue to fester in our lives. He will destroy because our sin takes us out of fellowship with God. Forgiveness, the cleansing of 1 John 1.9 which is based on God’s faithfulness and righteousness, restores that fellowship.

David cries out for God to hear is prayer (1-6), to answer his prayer (7-9), to teach him (10), and to restore or revive him (11-12).

Have we come before God realizing that without Him we are wicked and that in Him He makes us righteous and worthy? Have we considered how Satan will devour us and then ask God to strengthen us as we seek forgiveness? Why not do it now?

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Psalm 109

If God is for us, then who can be against us (Romans 8.31-34)? The answer: Only Jesus can condemn us but He died for us and intercedes for us. So, the only one worthy stands in our favor!

Psalm 109

This psalm was written by David, so says the inscription and so says Peter as he uses this psalm to describe Judas in Acts 1.16-20. There is no single reference point to place this psalm historically. Some believe it to be against Saul, yet David’s attitude toward God’s anointed would forbid this. Some believe it to be his son, Absalom, but his love for him was overwhelming to the point of sin. Could it be levied against Doeg or Ahithophel?

The word “accuse” provides great insight into this psalm. David stands accused by his adversaries in verses 4, 6, 20, and 29. The Hebrew word for accuse is where we derive Satan. The originally meaning was accuser but became a proper name of our adversary, the devil. David stands accused of crimes that are false. If he is found guilty, he is open for the death penalty.

  • Verses 1-5-David prays to the God whom he praises. Do you praise the God to whom you pray? David describes what his accusers are saying of him. He describes them as words of lying and hatred. He describes how he treated them. He showed love and kindness, but they repaid with insult and hatred. Jesus said to love those who curse you and to love your enemies (Matthew 5.44). David did this throughout these verses.
  • Verses 6-20-These words are harsh and seem to violate the principles Jesus displayed in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-8). However, a closer look provides five possible solutions to this dilemma.
    1. When God displays His anger toward sin, it is extreme and to the point. David, here, is displaying a “righteous indignation” toward sin. This prayer is spoken by Jesus Himself when He instructed us to pray: “Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Your Name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6.9-10). Jesus is basically asking us to pray to God the Father to establish His righteousness on earth which would mean the destruction of all that is not righteous (i.e., those who false accuse in this psalm).
    2. David could be praying to God to take the matter into His hands and bring forth His justice, and not David’s idea of justice.
    3. David is speaking prophetically of the coming of Judas and is pronouncing these curses upon him. This is why the plural of verses 1-5 is changed to the singular in 6-20.
    4. David is so inclined to the will of God that God’s enemies are indeed his enemies and he is pronouncing judgement on them as God would.
    5. The most unlikely one, which is translated in the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV), is that David switches speakers in verse six: “They say, ‘Appoint a wicked man against him; let an accuser stand on his right.’”

Verse eight is applied to Judas (Acts 1.20).

  • Verses 21-29-Verse 25 can be applied to Jesus on the cross (Matthew 27.39). David cries out to God to help him, not for David’s sake, but that God’s name may be magnified. How often do we, in our times of trouble, see His glory?
  • Verses 30-31-David closes with words that praise God and should be familiar to us. If God is for us, then who can be against us (Romans 8.31-34)? The answer: Only Jesus can condemn us but He died for us and intercedes for us. So, the only one worthy stands in our favor!

Psalm 5

David calls out to God to hear what he has to say (1-6), to lead David in the correct and righteous path (7-8), to protect David from those who try to deceive and lead him astray (9-10), and to bless David with His presence (11-12). What are you praying for today?

Psalm 5

This psalm was written by David for the flute (Nehiloth) during the time of the revolt of Absalom (2 Samuel 15-19). The references to the temple (the tent, 7), David’s house, and references to David’s enemies lying in wait, not pursuing him (9-10) support this period.

When reading this psalm, we are reminded of the necessity of daily reading God’s Word for it establishes our hope, directs our day, and provides us with guidance in times of joy and distress. Even David, the king of Israel, knew that he must bow to another King on a daily basis.

  • Verses 1-3-David seeks God to listen to what he has to say, to listen to his cries, and to help him order his words in such a way that they bring honor to God. In this David ruminates over what he is to pray. It is no flippant prayer offered to God on a whim. It is a thoughtful meditation of an arranged prayer presented to God with great fervor and understanding of whom this God is to whom he prays. The plea of David for God to listen to the sound of his cry can be seen in Romans 8.26-27.
  • Verses 4-6-Habakkuk 1.13 presents the truth of these verses. David understands all too well that God will not listen to His children in rebellion (see our study of Psalm 51), how much more will He reject those who set themselves as enemies against Him? Paul state that darkness and light have no dealings with each other (2 Corinthians 6.14-15). John states this truth in 1 John 1.5-10.
  • Verses 7-8-David’s desire was to enter God’s house, to worship Him. It is here that David brings his prayer before God. It is a prayer to stand justly before his accusers.
  • Verses 9-10-Paul quotes verse nine in Romans 3.13 as a testament to the character of those who do not know God.
  • Verses 11-12-The shield mentioned in verse twelve is the full-body shield used to protect the entire person. When our lives are protected by God, we experience joy, protection, and blessing.

David calls out to God to hear what he has to say (1-6), to lead David in the correct and righteous path (7-8), to protect David from those who try to deceive and lead him astray (9-10), and to bless David with His presence (11-12). What are you praying for today?

Thoughts on hate will be given if requested. So, reply if you desire a study on God’s hating (5).

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Psalm 64

When you pray to God, do you praise Him even before the answer? Even if the answer might be no?

Psalm 64-A title, if I were to title these, “Two Archers, One Winner”

This, again, was written during the time of Absalom’s rebellions (2 Samuel 15-18). When reading these verses it is easy to see that words can hurt us greatly. “Sticks and stones my break my bones but words will never hurt me,” is a lie. “Sticks and stones my break my bones but words will surely kill me,” is more accurate. Slander and misuse of words is so severe a sin in the eyes of God, it made the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20.16). James spends most of chapter three of his book discussing the problems of the tongue and its power (James 3.1-12).

There is a plot afoot to dethrone David by the words of his son Absalom (see our study of 2 Samuel 15). What Absalom, and those in later chapters such as Shimei and Ahithophel (see our study of 2 Samuel 16), slandering David, he felt his character was being blasted. Rather than railing against them, David does what we all should do and that is to pray to the only One who can do something about it. God.

  • Verses 1-2-David prays for protection from evil speakers.
  • Verses 3-6-David describes the evil actions of those who seek to destroy him. Verse five reflects the willful ignorance of people who are sinning for God sees and watches every move (see our study of Psalm 2).
  • Verses 7-9-David describes their defeat by the hand of God. Two of the greatest words in Scripture are found in verse seven: “But God . . .” Trace these two words together and find the presence of God intervening in the life of man. If there is enough interest, we can begin a study on these two words.
  • Verse 10-David, even before it occurs, expects people to praise God. The wicked try to hide their plots, but the righteous proclaims them before all.

When you pray to God, do you praise Him even before the answer? Even if the answer might be no?

Psalm 61

When we can look back to see God at work, know that He is at work, and this will lead us, always, to praise Him. Have you praised God for who He is and what He has done lately? Tell someone, write it down.

Psalm 61

This is a psalm of David to be played in worship on stringed instruments (Neginah).

David was thrust out of the city away from the sanctuary during the revolt of Absalom (2 Samuel 15-18). He uses a double entendre here. He wants to return to the rock that is higher than he, which physically, being in the woods of Ephraim, would be Jerusalem and spiritually would be a reference to God Himself. David’s desire is to return to Jerusalem where he knows he can worship and commune with God. Jesus describes this reasoning in John 4 when He speaks with the woman at the well in terms of worship (John 4.15-26). The thought was we needed to be in a specific place to worship God. Jesus corrects this and establishes that God can be worship anywhere, at any time. He is not demeaning corporate worship in a specific place (church) but is expanding the idea of worship to a personal level as-well.

This psalm can be divided in two parts by the Selah after verse four.

  • Verses 1-4-David is basing his prayer and pleas to God not on a wishful thought but on his previous experience with God. In essence, David is saying: “I may not be in Jerusalem, but I am never far from You. So, God, based on who You are and what You have done in my life, I ask You to protect me, to bring me into Your presence.” David knew who God was and what God had done for him and he based his prayers and his life on that truth.

Selah: When times are rough, do you have evidence that God has been at work in you? Do you know Him well enough to trust Him to be there for you (1 John 2.15-17)? Or, do you wishfully think that He might help you that may be based on something that is not truth? Before times are rough, begin to write out how God has used you, how He has been involved in your life, and how He has changed you. When we combine our experience with our knowledge of the Scriptures, we can stand solidly when the rough times attempt to knock us over.

  • Verses 5-8-Can the changes of pronouns begin a prayer for someone other than David. David changes from “I” to “the king” in these verses. This could be a messianic reference for God to present to the world the ultimate Solid Rock.

When we can look back to see God at work, know that He is at work, and this will lead us, always, to praise Him. Have you praised God for who He is and what He has done lately? Tell someone, write it down.

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Psalm 26

Have God examine your heart today.

Psalm 26

This psalm begins and ends with the desire to bring blessing to the covenant God of Israel  (יְֽהוָה).  David sees a way for this to occur in his life through his integrity, his moral uprightness or righteousness. We find this can only be found in a person who has a right relationship with God and who walks in fellowship with Him.

Due to the topic of this psalm, David’s integrity and God’s grace, many declare that this psalm was written before his failing with Bathsheba. However, the false accusations and the mood of the psalm place it about the time of Absalom’s rebellion with all the false accusations coming against David. This is why it is placed here, in this study, and not prior to 2 Samuel 11.

The words of David, to some, seem proud and boisterous. However, they are no different from his words in Psalm 139.23 where he asks God to search his heart.

Someone once said, “Look at others and be distressed; look at self and be depressed; look at Jesus and you will be blessed.” The thoughts of this anonymous saying present themselves in this psalm. David encourages us to look and examine ourselves (1-5), to focus ourselves on the God of our covenant (6-10), and continue to serve Him (11-12). The only way to truly be blessed is to realize that we are servants of the Most High and serve others in His name. This is true life.

Verses 1-5-Are you living the life God created for you to live? Examine yourself today.  Read our study on Psalm 1 for a call to examine your life.

Verses 6-10-When we look at ourselves, we can get depressed. When we look to others, we can get upset or frustrated or proud. When we focus on God, we can walk on water and we can also see the standard to which He has called us. It is not us or our world that is our standard, it is He who created us who is the standard (Romans 3.23).

In verses 3–5, David presents six reasons for his integrity:

  1. He calls on God’s grace, not his works.
  2. He basis his daily walk on the truth of God’s Word, not his desires, which only someone indwelt with the Spirit of God can claim.
  3. He proclaims that he has not joined in with others whose purpose is to walk away from God.
  4. He refuses to walk with those who have a form of godliness but deny its power (2 Timothy 3.1-5).
  5. He does not gather together with those who seek to do evil. The congregation he seeks is where he can serve God by serving others.
  6. He refuses to commune with those who propose wickedness. He knows he sits at God’s table (see our study of Psalm 23).

How do you measure up to these six reasons?

Verses 11-12-God calls us, knows us, will conform us ultimately into the image of His Son; He called us, He made us righteous, and He will bring it to completion (Romans 8.28-30 and Philippians 1.6). It is all about Him, not us. He has chosen to use His body, the church, as the chosen instrument to help our conformity to His image through the work of the Holy Spirit. Are you involving yourself in the local congregation? Are you actively praising God by serving others there? If not, you are not walking in integrity. This is the heart of this psalm, David’s desire to worship God with God’s people (6-8). David knew in order to do this he needed to be a man in right relationship with God and in fellowship with Him. Jesus stated this in Matthew 5.23-24.

Have God examine your heart today.

Psalm 55

Ahithophel caused David much grief in his betrayal. He eventually hung himself when he realized he had nowhere else to go due to his betrayal. This should remind you of Judas in the New Testament account of the betrayal of Jesus.

Psalm 55

This psalm was written by David in response to what his father-in-law, Ahithophel, did to him in 2 Samuel 15 (see our study). This is a consequence of David’s sin with Ahithophel’s granddaughter, Bathsheba (see our study of 2 Samuel 11 and 2 Samuel 12 along with the Consequences of David’s Sin). Ahithophel was a trusted counselor who joined in Absalom’s rebellion in response to David’s mistreatment of his family. His deception and treason caused David much grief as is evident in this psalm (13).

David will ask us to stop and ponder (selah) what he has written twice.

  • Verses 1-8-David’s desire to flee is overturned by his desire to present his case to the God of the Universe.

Selah: What drives you to your knees? Do you seek Him or an escape from your circumstances? Trusting Him to carry you through the tough times is the only way of escape that is biblical (1 Corinthians 10.12-13().

  • Verses 9-18-This is David’s response to what is happening in Jerusalem without leadership. Chaos occurs where no leader is present. Absalom was not a leader but a usurper. This is why we need God to be our leader for Satan, the only other alternative, is a usurper.

Verse 16 is the turning point of the psalm. David states “But I will call upon.” Despite the circumstances, we need to turn to God for help, comfort, and direction.

Selah: What is your “But” in life?

  • Verses 19-23-David describes Ahithophel now as an enemy. I wonder if this is what a divorced person feels toward their former spouse. In all this, David still seeks God. Verse 22 reminds us of the words of Jesus in Matthew 11.29-30 and Peter in 1 Peter 5.6-7.

Ahithophel caused David much grief in his betrayal. He eventually hung himself when he realized he had nowhere else to go due to his betrayal. This should remind you of Judas in the New Testament account of the betrayal of Jesus.

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