Dedication

Introduction

A. I watched with great interest both speeches on Wednesday night as Gore and Bush each spoke to the American audience. I thought they were both good speeches and I will allow others to make comment on the validity of those speeches. What struck me with both men were their words of commitment to this country and dedication to American ideals rather than party spirit. Who knows how long such pronouncements will last, but what both men said is that the nation as a whole matters much more than political parties. It is possible for politicians to focus upon their own gains that they lose sight of the bigger picture. In such cases dedication is no longer toward the greater good but selfishly motivated.

B. Good political leaders look to the nation as a whole. They encourage citizens to look beyond themselves toward some greater good. They help citizens see that better things happen when the focus of life is not just about self. But as often happens in politics, power is too often more important than high principles. Such is unfortunate and ignores God’s plans and purposes.

C. There are other venues in life which call for dedication and a purpose which is beyond self. Team sports call for dedication and a striving for bettering the greater good for the team rather than for self. Corporations in much the same way call for dedication to what is best for the company rather than individually. Sadly, business is changing so quickly that even this call for dedication is being pushed aside. Family life demands dedication to the whole rather than individually. Congregational life also demands dedication to what is best for the group rather than individually, although congregations are to be concerned about individuals. Numerous areas of life call for dedication to a higher calling rather than looking to self-satisfaction.

D. Solomon’s prayer offered at the dedication of the temple is a prayer which calls God’s people to a higher calling. It is a prayer which focuses on God. It is a prayer which recognizes the tendency of people to sin. It is a prayer which calls on God being gracious and merciful toward those who will fail him. We will notice several aspects of Solomon’s prayer tonight. We are not interested in dissecting it but will notice how he calls God’s people to view things beyond themselves. We still need to hear such a calling.

Solomon’s Dedication

A. There are some special things in Solomon’s prayer. Some things which we need to notice and hopefully allow to be a part of our understanding as well. First, notice in 8:27 Solomon understands the awesomeness of God. The temple had been built as the dwelling place of God. God indeed made his presence known there. But Solomon understood that no building could hold God. Solomon understood that God was not confined to a building. That, we may think, is obvious. But there are two aspects of this truth which are relevant for us.

1.  First, even in our own lives there are times in which we question or doubt the presence of God. We say that God is everywhere. But we may find that difficult to believe in the midst of pain, suffering, and uncertainty. Solomon recognized that nothing could confine God, but that recognition is not the same thing as saying that God is everywhere.

    a.  When we are struggling, we may think that God has abandoned us. God is everywhere except here we may think. This view which comes from emotional overload fails to recognize the awesomeness of God. He is everywhere and he is especially near in times of suffering.

    b.  In the rest of Solomon's prayer, he mentions those times in which the people will turn away from God. When they pray, God hears. He is everywhere. When the people leave him and go to another god, God is still there. Our God does not leave us or forsake us.

2.  Second, while God is not confined by a building, isn't it amazing that God chooses to be a part of our lives. Here is Solomon praying to an awesome God—a God who is far bigger than the temple, far bigger than a kingdom, far bigger than a world. Yet, Solomon understands that this awesome God wants to be a part of his people. Do we understand the depth of such a statement? God is not confined, but he willingly confines himself in our hearts. This is not a statement of limitation but of residency. God chooses to dwell in the heart of each one who belongs to him. Yet, he is bigger than any person's heart. What a wonderful God we serve and who chooses to live among us.

B. In verses 31-53, Solomon recognizes a truth which we understand but may not always appreciate. Solomon in his prayer calls the people of God to look beyond the immediate and be dedicated to that which is greater than the immediate. Solomon recognized in his prayer that even God’s people are fallible. This is not to excuse sin, but it is to say that sin was surely to come. Notice in verse 46, “for there is no one who does not sin.” Such a statement is similar to Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory.” Everyone sins. We understand that. We sin. We’ll admit that. But Solomon prays for second chances. He prays in advance that God will grant to his people a second chance when sin has taken over their lives.

1.  How willing is God to forgive? Solomon's prayer reveals his understanding that God was ready to forgive at any time. However, his forgiveness was not given when it was not wanted. The people realizing their sin, had to turn to God in repentance and ask for forgiveness to be restored. Solomon believed that God would be quick in forgiving his people and there is nothing in scripture which disputes that belief.

2.  Solomon prayed in verse 39 that when God forgave he would also act to restore his people to relationship with Him. And God did that time and again for his people. Not only did he do that for his people from long ago, so he will do that for us today.

3.  Our God wants to forgive and to act to bring us back into relationship with him. Because God is this way, so he encourages us to be that way with each other. But forgiveness is not cheap. God, while freely giving his forgiveness, did so when his people acknowledged their sin. There are two aspects of forgiveness in our lives. We forgive even when others do not ask for it because that is the way of God. But that forgiveness does not lead to restoring of relationship.

4.  But the other aspect is that forgiveness is given in response to an acknowledgment of sin and a true change of heart is demonstrated. Then just like God we forgive quickly, freely, and fully. There is no revenge. There is no replaying of the past. There is restoring of the relationship.

C. Solomon recognized God’s greatness and that in his greatness he wanted to be in relationship with his people. Because of that greatness he could ask even in advance that God forgive his people when they sin against him. With repentance came forgiveness and a restoring of relationship. This was God’s gracious choice. So, we too, can choose to forgive. In fact, we must forgive else we go against the nature and character of God. There was no presumption on Solomon’s part that God had to forgive, but there was an appreciation that this was what God wanted to do when his people failed him.

1.  In no less way, God wants to forgive his people even now. There must be repentance. For God's forgiveness is not cheap. But with that changed heart, God will act to restore relationship. We, being God's people and wanting to demonstrate his character, treat others in the same way. Invitation.

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