Our God Who Hears

OT: 2 Chronicles 3-7
NT: Romans 8:26-27; Hebrews 4:14-16

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2 Chronicles 6:32-33 — "As for the foreigner who does not belong to your people Israel but has come from a distant land because of your great name and your mighty hand and your outstretched arm — when he comes and prays toward this temple, then hear from heaven, your dwelling place, and do whatever the foreigner asks of you, so that all the peoples of the earth may know your name and fear you, as do your own people Israel, and may know that this house I have built bears your Name."

Is there a prayer that God does not hear? A cry that goes unnoticed? Many times you and I may feel like our prayers bounce off the ceiling but that is certainly not the truth. No, every prayer makes it to the throne of God — saint and sinner. Whether or not God chooses to act is up to Him but, rest assured, He hears your prayers. Because of the blood of Jesus, believers have the assurance that their prayers are treated with the utmost love and response by God. We are His children, co-heirs of heaven with Christ Himself.

Solomon stood before the nation of Israel and prayed openly before the Lord. The Temple was complete and the son of David was now dedicating the great structure in grand fashion. He prayed for many things. Foremost among them was that God would hear from heaven when His people prayed at the Temple or towards the Temple. Not only that God would hear but that He would act with mercy. This hope of Solomon's was not restricted to Jews alone. No, Solomon prayed that those who were outside of the Law — the seeker, the foreigner, the God fearer — would receive an audience before the Lord and an answer when they prayed. An answer would accomplish many things, including the spreading of the name and reputation of the Lord God of Israel. Evangelism! The God of Israel hears. Not only does He hear, but He responds. Truly He is the one true God.

Be God's.