This is a continuation from yesterday, in that a few chapters later, again, David is exhorting and challenging his young and inexperienced son. These are his last words to his son before he died. They are a great reminder to us again that all things are from God, and for God and through God. David said that God is will not leave you or forsake you as he works for God to build him the house for the glory of God as he leads the people of God. David reminds him of his leadership responsibilities and the work that God has laid before him. Again, his only job is to be not fearful or discouraged, but to remain strong and courageous. Where does that courage come from? It comes from knowing that God will be with him as he does the work of God.
2 Ch 6:28-31 - “When famine or plague comes to the land, or blight or mildew, locusts or grasshoppers, or when enemies besiege them in any of their cities, whatever disaster or disease may come, and when a prayer or plea is made by any of your people Israel—each one aware of his afflictions and pains, and spreading out his hands toward this temple— then hear from heaven, your dwelling place. Forgive, and deal with each man according to all he does, since you know his heart (for you alone know the hearts of men), so that they will fear you and walk in your ways all the time they live in the land you gave our fathers.
This prayer of Solomon was also given at the dedication of the temple as like yesterday. Solomon acknowledges in his prayer many things about our God. First, that though this temple has been completed and people will pray toward the temple, God dwells in Heaven. He also states that even though he dwells in heaven, that he alone knows the hearts of men. Lastly, Solomon asks that God would forgive each man so that they will fear him and walk in his ways. So far there has been many things that cause us to fear our God, but so far forgiveness has not been one of them. But, when we see the disciplines in our life, the famines and plagues and enemies coming into our own lives, when we cry out to God to forgives us, not only does he forgive us but that leads us to fear Him and causes us to walk in his ways. As the passage in Heb 12:11 says, “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” The training of this discipline causes us to fear our God. And again we see how when we don’t fear the world, it leads other to a correct fear of God. If the temple had not been built, Solomon would have never prayed this prayer.
