Tuesday after Reminiscere Sunday
Posted on February 27, 2024 by under
Scripture: 1 Kings 8:37-43 (NKJV)
8:37 “When there is famine in the land, pestilence or blight or mildew, locusts or grasshoppers; when their enemy besieges them in the land of their cities; whatever plague or whatever sickness there is; 38 whatever prayer, whatever supplication is made by anyone, or by all Your people Israel, when each one knows the plague of his own heart, and spreads out his hands toward this temple: 39 then hear in heaven Your dwelling place, and forgive, and act, and give to everyone according to all his ways, whose heart You know (for You alone know the hearts of all the sons of men), 40 that they may fear You all the days that they live in the land which You gave to our fathers.
41 “Moreover, concerning a foreigner, who is not of Your people Israel, but has come from a far country for Your name’s sake 42 (for they will hear of Your great name and Your strong hand and Your outstretched arm), when he comes and prays toward this temple, 43 hear in heaven Your dwelling place, and do according to all for which the foreigner calls to You, that all peoples of the earth may know Your name and fear You, as do Your people Israel, and that they may know that this temple which I have built is called by Your name.
Devotion
At the dedication of the Temple, Solomon prayed a lengthy prayer of which today’s reading is a part. Solomon was granted wisdom by God, which was far beyond the wisdom of any man. An integral part of that wisdom was knowing just who God is. To know God, the true God, is to know He is a God of mercy.
Solomon’s wisdom was also knowing that a person’s heart is most vile. As Jesus said, “For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies” (Mt. 15:19). So Solomon prayed for the time “when each one knows the plague of his own heart.” Left to one’s self, a person will not fully come to the realization of just how vile he is before God. To know the truth of this “plague” is a gift from God that leads a person to true wisdom, which is repentance and seeking the mercy of God.
Solomon, in his wisdom, also prayed for the Gentiles. Thousands of years ago Solomon prayed for you. Solomon prayed for those who will “come from a far,” because “they will hear.” They will hear of this most merciful God. By God’s grace you, too, hear of the “plague” in your own hearts. You, too, have been called by God to repent. You, too, can be counted among those who fear, love, and trust in God above all things through faith in Jesus Christ.
Collect: O God, who seest that of ourselves we have no strength: Keep us both outwardly and inwardly; that we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Collect for the Season of Lent
Almighty and Everlasting God, Who hatest nothing that Thou hast made, and dost forgive the sins of all those who are penitent: Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins, and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of Thee, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
