Solomon wanted to know that God was willing to answer the prayers of his people. This is the main concern of his address to God in the last chapter. If God was a God who would answer prayer then everything would be alright, they could step into the future with peace and assurance that God would forever uphold them. Here in Chapter 7 we see God’s response: fire came from heaven and consumed the sacrifices. In other words, the answer was ‘YES’. It could not have been a stronger ‘yes’. But the ‘yes’ has a context. God is not the genie in the lamp. He is God and he has an absolute claim upon our lives. He calls us to live in his agenda for our lives. Our blessing and life is in the path of God. If we stray from that path we also forsake our life and blessings. This is evident in Jesus’ teaching about prayer. He addresses prayer in the context of remaining in God’s vine and the ultimate aim of bearing fruit for the kingdom: “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” (John 15:7, 8) Give your life over to God. This is worship (Romans 12:1). Prayer has its context within worship. Walk with God; let your desires be shaped by him. If you need to be restored to his side, ask him to restore you. This is a prayer that he will always answer.
Ask God to restore you to his side today.
Read 2 Chronicles 7
