“Then Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in the presence of all the assembly of Israel and spread out his hands… Then he knelt on his knees in the presence of all the assembly of Israel, and spread out his hands toward heaven, and said, ‘O Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like you, in heaven or on earth, keeping covenant and showing steadfast love to your servants who walk before you with all their heart, who have kept with your servant David my father what you declared to him. You spoke with your mouth, and with your hand have fulfilled it this day. Now therefore, O Lord, God of Israel, keep for your servant David my father what you have promised him, saying, “You shall not lack a man to sit before me on the throne of Israel, if only your sons pay close attention to their way, to walk in my law as you have walked before me.” Now therefore, O Lord, God of Israel, let your word be confirmed, which you have spoken to your servant David.
“’But will God indeed dwell with man on the earth? Heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you, how much less this house that I have built! Yet have regard to the prayer of your servant and to his plea, O Lord my God… that your eyes may be open day and night toward this house, the place where you have promised to set your name… And listen to the pleas of your servant and your people Israel… from heaven your dwelling place, and when you hear, forgive.” 2 Chronicles 6:12,13b-21
From the start, Solomon was aware of his special anointing by God. Not the king’s firstborn, nor even the son of David’s first wife, he was chosen by God to rule Israel and carry the Redeemer’s seed of promise. He’d asked the Lord for wisdom and received much more. And now, he’d overseen the building of the temple and experienced God’s faithfulness in manifold ways. Indeed, there was no God like his. (1 Chronicles 3:1-8; 17:10-14; 22:9-10; 2 Chronicles 1:10-12)
So on this basis of the Almighty’s unique favor and blessing, His kindness, attention to detail, and ample provision, His gloriously manifested presence, His personal attention and love, Solomon could approach in utter certainty that he would be heard and answered. Because no other god so loved, led, kept, and undertook, He was the One this king would approach, serve and obey. According to who He was and all He’d done, this God could therefore be trusted to keep His word. (Habakkuk 2:18-20)
Sadly, Solomon fell away in errant affection, but even then, no other God but his would remain faithful to fulfill His promise. Only He convicts and pursues with redeeming mercy. Only He forgives and restores, and loves with everlasting love. (1 John 1:9)
Will we trust this One? Will we cast our lot in with Him, our needs, dreams, plans for the future? Will we reckon His promises as trustworthy and behave as though we do? Will we come regularly to Him in praise and prayer and pleading? There is no God like Him, none other worthy of our full devotion, submission, and obedience.
O God, may I fear You, rejoice in Your goodness, and walk in Your ways every day, exalting Your worth and glory. (2 Chronicles 6:31)
As the rain and snow 