“Solomon the son of David established himself in his kingdom, and the Lord his God was with him and made him exceedingly great.
“Solomon spoke to all Israel, to the commanders of thousands and of hundreds, to the judges, and to all the leaders in Israel, the heads of fathers’ houses. Solomon, and all the assembly with him, went to the high place that was at Gibeon, for the tent of meeting of God, which Moses the servant of the Lord had made in the wilderness, was there… Moreover, the bronze altar that Bezalel the son of Uri, son of Hur, had made, was there before the tabernacle of the Lord. And Solomon and the assembly sought it out. And Solomon went up to the bronze altar before the Lord,.. and offered a thousand burnt offerings on it.
“In that night God appeared to Solomon, and said to him, ‘Ask what I shall give you.’ And Solomon said to God, ‘You have shown great and steadfast love to David my father, and have made me king in his place. O Lord God, let your word to David my father be now fulfilled, for you have made me king over a people as numerous as the dust of the earth. Give me now wisdom and knowledge to go out and come in before this people, for who can govern this people of yours, which is so great?’” 2 Chronicles 1:1-3,5-10
Solomon had taken the throne of his great late father. In grace and providence, the Lord made him very great, bestowing on him uncommon majesty. The new king initiated his reign with worship, symbolizing his heart’s priority and the surrender of this new role to God. After the glad celebrating and the expenditure of tremendous exhilaration and offerings, quiet finally came. Perhaps he felt overwhelmed by the loss of his father and the weight of this new responsibility leading God’s people. Into this silent night, God came. And God met him with more than he ever could have imagined. (1 Chronicles 29:23-28)
Often when the quiet and darkness settle in, burdens weigh heaviest. The position has been announced, the event is over. We may have welcomed a new life, or said goodbye for the last time. Exhaustion permeates a whorl of emotions. Sober realizations become clear. Doubts tiptoe. And into our soul night of wonder, curiosity, fear, anticipation, the Lord comes. He knows our vulnerabilities, invites our honest confession of deepest lack and need, and our trust that He will supply. He promises that what He calls us to next will always have His enabling. His grace abounds. (2 Corinthians 9:8; 1 Thessalonians 5:24; Hebrews 4:15)
Are we at a pivotal or desperate crossroads? Have we eased from a frenzied flashy season into a quiet darkness? Would we listen for the Lord there, and respond to His voice in dependent prayer? Do we feel spent, depleted? He is sufficient. Are we desperate? He cares and establishes our hearts. What is it we need? He is able. (2 Corinthians 12:9; 1 Peter 5:10)
Lord, help me trust You in both the noise and the quiet, believing that Your grace and light are more than sufficient for every need. To You be all the glory. (Ephesians 3:20-21)
As the rain and snow 