Keys to Answered Prayer VI

Fred R. Coulter—October 21, 2006

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Let's look at the life of Solomon—the first half of his life. Let's come to 2-Chronicles, the first chapter. Now this is very, very important to understand. And I want you to realize many similarities in this and what we are facing today; and how this will tie in the keys to answered prayer. Let's see how Solomon began, because what I want you to understand is this: We want to finish like Solomon began—not begin like Solomon began and finish like he ended, because he was the greatest Laodicean in the history of the whole Bible.

Now 2-Chronicles 1:1: "And Solomon the son of David was strengthened in his kingdom, and the LORD his God was with him, and magnified him exceedingly." Then he gave them instructions. Told them all to come up so they could bring the ark out of Kirjathjearim a little later. So he went up there to offer burnt offerings.

Verse 6: "And Solomon went up thither to the brazen altar before the LORD, which was at the tabernacle of the congregation, and offered a thousand burnt offerings upon it. In that night did God appear unto Solomon, and said unto him, 'Ask what I shall give you.' And Solomon said unto God, 'You have shown great mercy unto David my father, and have made me to reign in his stead. Now, O LORD God, let Your promise unto David my father be established: for You have made me king over a people like the dust of the earth in multitude. Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people: for who can judge this Your people, that is so great?'" (vs 6-10).

Now he had this attitude that we find in Psa. 119: that the commandments of God and His way and His knowledge and everything is greater than gold, fine gold and that all of His precepts are right altogether. (Just summarizing Psa. 119:125-127). Now notice God's response. Can God be pleased with what a person can do? The answer is, yes! Can we, with our attitude and the things that we do, inspire God? Answer is, yes!

Notice: "And God said to Solomon, 'Because this was in your heart… [Now remember, God is a heart-knowing God—right? Yes!] …and you have not asked riches, wealth, or honor, nor the life of your enemies, neither yet have asked long life… [His mind was on the proper goal of being king, to serve the people. Later you know what happened to him. We won't get into that because we've covered that before. But what I want to show here is this: this is part of how our prayers are answered by having the right heart and attitude toward God.] …but have asked wisdom and knowledge for yourself, that you may judge My people, over whom I have made you king: Wisdom and knowledge is granted unto you… [And he was the wisest man that ever lived. So when God gives it, He gives it!—doesn't He? Yes!] …and I will give you riches, and wealth, and honor, such as none of the kings have had that have been before you, neither shall there any [receive that] after you have the like'" (vs 11-12). That's something! So then that gave him the inspiration to get everything ready. It talks about building the temple, how he's going to be building it, what he was going to do with it. And they had gold and silver and brass and iron and all of those things in great and fantastic abundance.

Now let's come to 2-Chronicles 5:1—I'll just summarize down through v 11: So when the house of the LORD was finished they brought the ark and they brought from Gibeon, where the tabernacle was, they brought it all down to the temple and they brought it in the temple, and they put the Ark of the Covenant in the temple.

Verse 10: "There was nothing in the ark save the two tables which Moses put therein at Horeb, when the LORD made a covenant with the children of Israel, when they came out of Egypt…. [now this is a historically, singular time in the whole record and history of Israel and Judah.] …And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the Holy place: (for all the priests that were present were sanctified, and did not then wait by course: Also the Levites which were the singers, all of them of Asaph, of Heman, of Jeduthun, with their sons and their brethren, being arrayed in white linen, having cymbals and psalteries and harps, stood at the east end of the altar, and with them an hundred and twenty priests sounding with trumpets:)…" (vs 10-12).

Now just think of the great regal scenery of this: Here is the temple all finished. About six-and-a-half to seven stories high, with these great pillars in the front. The great sea, the huge basin, with the 12 oxen underneath which then the water came out into the lavers and these little pools and the lavers. That's where they washed the sacrifices and the priests bathed themselves in that big, brass basin there that they had. It was huge, it was 36 cubits around. So all of this is taking place, all of Israel is assembled out there before the temple.

"It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and praised the LORD, saying, 'For He is good; for His mercy endures forever.' That then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the LORD… [Now everybody saw this.] …So that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of God" (vs 10-14). Very inspiring moment.

Now notice Solomon's prayer—because he starts out here in 2-Chronicles 6:1—quite a prayer. Some very important keys in praying, which also tells you how when you come before God that you can reason with God and that you can talk with God and hold His promises. Now as we read through here—we'll see a little later on that he probably received from David, his father, the copy of the law that David had written for himself out of the scrolls of the law that were alongside the Ark of the Covenant. Remember: Deut. 16—the king was to write himself a copy out of that which the priests, the Levites, had so that he would not get lifted up above his brethren. But that he would always serve God and serve the people. Now we'll see that when we read some of these other things later in this chapter six here, concerning the prayer of Solomon, you will see that he undoubtedly read that many times.

2-Chronicles. 6:1: "Then said Solomon, 'The LORD has said that He would dwell in the thick darkness. But I have built an house of habitation for You, and a place for Your dwelling forever.' And the king turned his face, and blessed the whole congregation of Israel: and all the congregation of Israel stood…. [Notice how he begins his prayer—notice how this is structured very similarly to Matt. 6 and Luke 11]: …And he said, 'Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, who has with His hands fulfilled that which He spoke with His mouth to my father David, saying, "Since the day that I brought forth My people out of the land of Egypt I chose no city among all the tribes of Israel to build an house in, that My name might be there; neither chose I any man to be a ruler over My people Israel: But I have chosen Jerusalem, that My name might be there; and have chosen David to be over My people Israel"'" (vs 1-6).

Now we can also say this concerning the Church. God has appointed Christ as the Head of the Church, correct? And He hasn't chosen anyone else to be the head of the Church, has He? So as we go through take these spiritual lessons and apply to the Church and the people of God, and to also the operation of prayer.
Verse 7: "Now it was in the heart of David my father to build an house for the name of the LORD God of Israel. But the LORD said to David my father, 'Forasmuch as it was in your heart to build an house for My name, you did well in that it was in your heart: Notwithstanding you shall not build the house; but your son which shall come forth out of your loins, he shall build the house for My name.' The LORD therefore has performed His word that He has spoken: for I am risen up in the room of David my father, and am set on the throne of Israel, as the LORD promised, and have built the house for the name of the LORD God of Israel. And in it have I put the ark, wherein is the covenant of the LORD, that he made with the children of Israel. And he stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands… [Quite a prayer] …For Solomon had made a brazen scaffold, of five cubits long, and five cubits broad, and three cubits high, and had set it in the midst of the court: and upon it he stood, and kneeled down upon his knees before all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven…" (vs 7-13).

Now, I want you to understand how he started:

• tenderhearted,
• loving God,
• believing God,
• serving God,
• serving the people of God.

And that's what we need to return to as people and as ministers—return to God so that we can let God do with us as He desires. Because we are not going to do anything unless God leads the way in our private lives or in our community lives as we are brethren together, or in our lives in reaching out to the world. So here's what he said—very inspiring:

"And said, 'O LORD God of Israel, there is no God like You in the heaven, nor in the earth; which keeps covenant, and shows mercy unto Your servants, that walk before You with all their hearts: You which have kept with Your servant David my father that which thou hast promised him; and spakest with Your mouth, and has fulfilled it with Your hand, as it is this day. Now therefore, O LORD God of Israel, keep with Your servant David my father that which You have promised him, saying, "There shall not fail you a man in My sight to sit upon the throne of Israel.… [That's why understanding we're the ten tribes of Israel today—very important because that promise is still being fulfilled.] …Yet, so that your children take heed to their way to walk in My law, as you have walked before Me." Now then, O LORD God of Israel, let Your word be verified, which You have spoken unto Your servant David'" (vs 14-17).
Now let's understand this is how you claim the promises of God. In your prayers you rehearse the promises of God and claim them. Not because you're anything great or you deserve them, but because God has promised. And if God has promised; He can't lie. And He will fulfill His word to you.

"'But will God in very deed dwell with men on the earth? Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain You; how much less this house which I have built! Have respect therefore to the prayer of Your servant, and to his supplication, O LORD my God, to hearken unto the cry and the prayer which thy servant prays before You: That Your eyes may be open upon this house day and night… [Put in there 'the Church of God' and all the brethren.] …upon the place whereof You have said that You would put Your name there… [and all of us bear the name of Christ] …to hearken unto the prayer which Your servant prays toward this place. Hearken therefore, unto the supplications of Your servant, and of Your people Israel, which they shall make toward this place: hear You from Your dwelling place, even from heaven; and when You hear, forgive'" (vs 18-21).

Now notice how he gives this, conditions. And this shows that he understood the law. This shows that he also read the curses in Deuteronomy as we will see a little later. "'If a man sin against his neighbor, and an oath be laid upon him to make him swear, and the oath come before Your altar in this house; then hear You from heaven, and do, and judge Your servants, by requiting the wicked, by recompensing his way upon his own head; and by justifying the righteous, by giving him according to his righteousness" (vs 22–23).

So, this also show another very important principle, that our prayers to God, in accordance to His will, must be based around the Word of God. Because as we will see, his whole prayer is based around the Word of God that they had at that time: the law of God.

"'And if Your people Israel be put to the worse before the enemy, because they have sinned against You; and shall return and confess Your name, and pray and make supplication before You in this house; then hear You from the heavens, and forgive the sin of Your people Israel, and bring them again unto the land which You gave to them and to their fathers'" (vs 24-25)

Now let me just state very clearly: in parallel the Church right now, because of its sins, is in exile—scattered abroad for its own good to find God; very important to understand. So our prayer toward God should be this. Not that God is going to bring us all together in one group—because He's not going to do that, because it will present too much danger in the future. But that all of the different groups and Churches of God repent and turn to God in their prayers and their attitudes and in what they are doing to be able to do what God wants them to do. Very important!

Now, v 26: "'When the heaven is shut up, and there is no rain, because they have sinned against You; yet if they pray toward this place, and confess Your name, and turn from their sin, when You do afflict them; then hear You from heaven, and forgive the sin of Your servants, and of Your people Israel when You have taught them the good way, wherein they should walk; and send rain upon Your land, which You have given unto Your people for an inheritance…. [Likewise, let it be the Spirit of God upon His Church.] …If there be dearth in the land, if there be pestilence, if there be blasting, or mildew, locusts, or caterpillars; if their enemies besiege them in the cities of their land; whatsoever sore or whatsoever sickness there be:Then what prayer or what supplication soever shall be made of any man, or of all Your people Israel, when every one shall know his own sore and his own grief, and shall spread forth his hands in this house: Then hear You from heaven Your dwelling place, and forgive, and render unto every man according unto all his ways, whose heart You know; (for You only know the hearts of the children of men:) That they may fear You, to walk in Your ways, so long as they live in the land which You gave unto our fathers. Moreover concerning the stranger, which is not of Your people Israel, but is come from a far country for Your great name's sake, and Your mighty hand, and Your stretched out arm; if they come and pray in this house'" (vs 26–31).

Now let's understand this: Where do we pray? We pray directly to the temple of God in heaven above—right? And we come directly into the Holy of Holies through our prayers. So we can take this prayer and apply it to our lives, apply it to the brethren. And also this applies to modern Israel today. And what's one of the first things that modern Israel always does when there's trouble? They think about God! Now the day's going to come when they're going to think about Him more than just thinking about Him. They're going to have to repent because they'll be in captivity.

Now v 32-33: he also talks about the stranger, that You may hear their prayer. Verse 34: Yet, the people go to war, that you send them out too, that You will hear their prayer.

Verse 36: "'If they sin against You, (for there is no man which sins not,) and You be angry with them, and deliver them over before their enemies, and they carry them away captives unto a land far off or near; yet if they bethink themselves in the land where they are carried captive, and turn and pray unto You in the land of their captivity, saying, "We have sinned, we have done amiss, and have dealt wickedly"; if they return to You with all their heart and with all their soul in the land of their captivity, where they have carried them captives, and pray toward their land… [Which today is heaven above—correct? Yes! Where they have gone, so forth] …Then hear You from the heavens, even from Your dwelling place, their prayer and their supplications, and maintain their cause, and forgive Your people which have sinned against You. Now, my God, let, I beseech You, Your eyes be open, and let Your ears be attent unto the prayer that is made in this place. Now therefore arise, O LORD God, into Your resting place, You, and the ark of Your strength: let Your priests, O LORD God, be clothed with salvation, and let Your saints rejoice in goodness. O LORD God, turn not away the face of Your anointed: remember the mercies of David Your servant'" (vs 36–42).

Now notice how God responded to this prayer: 2-Chronicles 7:1: "Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the LORD filled the house." What a response!

Now, when we're praying, let's keep all of these things in mind. And what we need, we need the zeal and enthusiasm that was shown by Kassahun over there in Ethiopia and Peter in Kenya [Transcriber's note: this is in regard to letters from the Feast which were deleted from this transcription] and we as those who are the descendants of the children of Israel today, living in modern-day Israel, need to repentant and get off our duffs and we need to quit complaining and messing around with stupidity and false doctrine, which is going after other gods and all of those things. And we need to have a kind of repentance as we begin the rest of this year; and to have a zeal to do everything that God wants us to do. And so, combine all of these things together and I think this will really help us to understand how we need to pray.

Now let's just finish the next couple of verses here: "And the priests could not enter into the house of the LORD, because the glory of the LORD had filled the LORD'S house…. [God was inspired. God was pleased. God blessed them. And He can do the same to all of us individually and collectively.] …And when all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the LORD upon the house, they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement, and worshiped, and praised the LORD, saying, 'For He is good; for His mercy endures forever'" (vs 2-3).

Old Testament Scriptures from the King James Version

Scriptural References:

• 2-Chronicles 1:1, 6-12
• 2-Chronicles 5:10-14 (vs 1-9 summarized)
• 2-Chronicles 6:1-31, 36-42
• 2-Chronicles 7:1-3

Scriptures referenced, not quoted:

• Psalm 119:125-127
• Deuteronomy 16
• Matthew 6
• Luke 11

FRC:bo
Transcribed: 11-23-07
Reformatted: 12-01-09