1 Kings 8:57, 58 - Prayer Brings Power - God's Grace.
1 Kings 8:57, 58 (NIV) May the LORD our God be with us as he
was with our fathers; may he never leave us nor forsake us. May he
turn our hearts to him, to walk in all his ways and to keep the
commands, decrees and regulations he gave our fathers.
1 Kings 8:57, 58 (CWR) May the Lord our God ever be with you as
He was with our forefathers. May He never leave us or forsake us.
May He give us the desire to follow Him and help us to walk in His
ways and keep His commandments and laws which He gave us through our
forefathers.
God originally dwelt in the tabernacle (Ex. 40:34), then in
Solomon's temple. The glory of God then came to earth in the Person of
Christ (John 1:12-14). Today, every true Christian is the temple of God
(1 Cor. 6:19-20), as is the church collectively (Eph. 2:21) and
locally (1 Cor. 3:16). [Wiersbe Expository Outlines]
Solomon's temple was a place of glory (vv. 1-12). However,
despite its extraordinary beauty, it was just another building until God
moved in and consecrated it (Exod. 40:34-38). So it is with our lives
(1 Cor. 6:19-20; Eph. 5:18) and our assemblies (1 Cor. 14:23-25).
The presence of God is the important thing. [Chapter by Chapter
Bible Commentary by Warren Wiersbe re 1Ki.8]
Solomon praised the Lord and prayed for the people. His prayer
can be a pattern for our prayers. He had five basic requests: (1)
for God's presence (1 Kings 8:57); (2) for the desire to do God's
will in everything; ("turn our hearts to him," 1 Kings 8:58); (3) for
help with each day's need (1 Kings 8:59); (4) for the desire and
ability to obey God's decrees and commands (1 Kings 8:58); (5) for the
spread of God's kingdom to the entire world (1 Kings 8:60). These
prayer requests are just as important today. [Life Application SB]
People need God's help to make the right decisions. In fact,
though God gives individuals a free will, none could exercise that free
will unless God extended his grace. The fall left humankind trapped
by sin, which distorts our thinking and decision-making process.
That's why God takes the first step to turn our hearts to himself. But
we must respond. Sadly, many ignore God's overtures to them. [Quest
SB]
Our hearts are naturally averse to our duty, and apt to decline
from God; it is his grace that inclines them, grace that must be
obtained by prayer. (Matthew Henry's Commentary)
The Holy Spirit waits to give aid to every believing soul, and
Jesus declares, "Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the
world." Let those who believe in Jesus be strong, prayerful, and full of
trust in Christ's power to save. "Call upon Me in the day of trouble:
I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me." {TM 380.1}
The closer a man draws to the Lord, the more fully he forsakes
the sinful things of earth, and the more ready he is to do all that
God requires. The Spirit of God leads men to obey and inclines them
to keep the commands of the law, but it does not do this against
man's will. When men are willing to obey they become inclined to obey.
The closer a man draws to the Lord, the more fully do God's thoughts
become his thoughts, and God's ways his ways. [SDA Commentary]
Are you trusting things that cannot help you while the Lord
waits for you to come to Him for help (30:15,18)? Those who wait on
the Lord for help will experience blessings, such as answered prayer
(30:18-19), God's guidance (30:20-21), cleansing (30:22), fruitfulness
(30:23-26), victory (30:27-33; 31:4-9), and a song (30:29). [Chapter by
Chapter Bible Commentary by Warren Wiersbe re Isa. 30]
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