Read

1 Kings 8:54-9:14
2 Chronicles 7:1-22

1 Kings 9:1-3, "When Solomon had finished building the temple of the Lord ... the Lord appeared to him a second time, as he had appeared to him at Gibeon. The Lord said to him: ‘I have heard the prayer and plea you have made before Me; I have consecrated this temple, which you have built, by putting My Name there forever. My eyes and My heart will always be there.'"

Think

Have you ever prayed for something big and felt as if God wasn't really there or fully mindful of your pleas and requests? Or, likely, you know intellectually that there's nothing He doesn't see or know - but it's easy to put blinders on to the fact that He does hear us pray is just as personal to Him as it is to us - even when He seems silent and non-responsive. He simply just doesn't always answer prayers in our preferred timing. The bottom line, though, is this: God hears us and responds when and how He deems best!

In today's reading, Solomon had just prayed before all the Israelites to dedicate the Lord's temple. Several times he asked God to "hear" His people in numerous situations, such as when they prayed in the temple. Solomon had confidence that God did, in fact, "hear" because God had appeared to him in a dream when he was new to the throne in a show of faithfulness and promise. Twenty-four years later, God uniquely appeared to him for a second time during the night, and as we see in the passage above that the Lord Himself made it clear - He did indeed hear!

How great is it to know that no matter what, God is there, fully attentive to every word, every thought, every desire, every hurt, every aspect of our lives! So, if you have a prayer that seems to be going unanswered or feel that God is far away or too busy with bigger fish to fry, think again. He knows, He hears, He sees, and He loves you beyond understanding. Today, rest in that thought and give thanks!

Pray

Lord, Thank You for being involved in even the most minute details of my life. I recognize that You see me, hear me, and love me. I praise You for the gift of Your presence! Amen.