Today’s devotion comes from 1 Kings 8:31-40.
“If a man sins against his neighbor and is made to take an oath, and he comes and takes an oath before Your altar in this house, then hear in heaven and act and judge Your servants, condemning the wicked by bringing his way on his own head and justifying the righteous by giving him according to his righteousness.
“When Your people Israel are defeated before an enemy, because they have sinned against You, if they turn to You again and confess Your name and pray and make supplication to You in this house, then hear in heaven, and forgive the sin of Your people Israel, and bring them back to the land which You gave to their fathers.
“When the heavens are shut up and there is no rain, because they have sinned against You, and they pray toward this place and confess Your name and turn from their sin when You afflict them, then hear in heaven and forgive the sin of Your servants and of Your people Israel, indeed, teach them the good way in which they should walk. And send rain on Your land, which You have given Your people for an inheritance.
“If there is famine in the land, if there is pestilence, if there is blight or mildew, locust or grasshopper, if their enemy besieges them in the land of their cities, whatever plague, whatever sickness there is, whatever prayer or supplication is made by any man or by all Your people Israel, each knowing the affliction of his own heart, and spreading his hands toward this house; then hear in heaven Your dwelling place, and forgive and act and render to each according to all his ways, whose heart You know, for You alone know the hearts of all the sons of men, that they may fear You all the days that they live in the land which You have given to our fathers.” 1 Kings 8:31-40.
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The theme of today’s Scripture is prayer and how the LORD reacts to prayer.
First, we notice the qualities of lovingkindness, justice and righteousness in the LORD in how the LORD reacts to prayer.
The LORD acts and judges His servants, “condemning the wicked by bringing his way on his own head and justifying the righteous by giving him according to his righteousness.” Verse 32.
“then hear in heaven Your dwelling place, and forgive and act and render to each according to all his ways, whose heart You know, for You alone know the hearts of all the sons of men,” Verse 39.
“Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne;
Lovingkindness and truth go before You.” Psalm 89:14.
“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.” Galatians 6:7-8.
Second, we notice the need to turn from our sin. It is not sufficient that we only make a prayer request. Verses 33-36.
Third, there is the hope that the LORD will be favorable to us, because He Himself chose us. Verses 36 and 40.
“… forgive the sin of Your people Israel, and bring them back to the land which You gave to their fathers.” Verse 36.
“He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies; who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.” Romans 8:32-34.
Fourth, the purpose of the LORD in how He reacts to prayer is that we may fear Him.
“that they may fear You all the days that they live in the land which You have given to our fathers.” Verse 40.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 