Xanthe Hancox

And may these words of mine, which I have prayed before the Lord, be near to the Lord our God day and night, that he may uphold the cause of his servant and the cause of his people Israel according to each day’s need, so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the Lord is God and that there is no other. And may your hearts be fully committed to the Lord our God, to live by his decrees and obey his commands, as at this time. 1 Kings 8:59-61

Solomon's prayer at the dedication of the temple is worth taking time to study. Establishing a kingdom and building the temple were huge accomplishments for the Israelites. But, as Solomon told the people who had assembled for the temple’s dedication, the work of God’s people was far from complete. The people had served God with their hands; now they had to love God with their hearts. Solomon told the Israelites to be devoted to God, their hearts fully committed to him, and to obey his commandments.

In the verses preceding today’s passage, Solomon asks God for many things. He asks him to protect Israel against famine, drought, disease and war, among other things. The reason he is bold enough to ask all this is becomes clear in verse 60, “So that all the peoples of the earth may know that the Lord is God and that there is no other.” This was God's heart. If Israel would truly live in relationship with God, then the world would receive the witness of God's faithfulness and love. The world would know there is no other god. That was God's intention in forming Israel as a nation, to witness to the world the blessing of obedience and worship of the one true God.

As God’s people today, our hearts also need to be fully committed to the Lord our God. We know that to be true, but far too often our actions tell a different story. Instead of devoting our hearts to God, we devote them to things like family and children, to secure and comfortable circumstances, to political and social causes. Of course, it is right that we love our families, plan for our futures, and assist those in need, but as believers, we have to make sure the one true God holds that central and essential part of our lives.

Prayer: Father, point out the things in my life that have become more important than you, and help me to commit my heart fully to you and you alone, so that everyone I meet may know that you are God. Amen.