God's Garden - Pt. 13

 

Then Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the assembly of Israel and spread out his hands toward heaven, and said, “O LORD, God of Israel, there is no God like you, in heaven above or on earth beneath, keeping covenant and showing steadfast love to your servants who walk before you with all their heart; you have kept with your servant David my father what you declared to him. You spoke with your mouth, and with your hand have fulfilled it this day. Now therefore, O LORD, God of Israel, keep for your servant David my father what you have promised him, saying, ‘You shall not lack a man to sit before me on the throne of Israel, if only your sons pay close attention to their way, to walk before me as you have walked before me.’ Now therefore, O God of Israel, let your word be confirmed, which you have spoken to your servant David my father.” (1 Kings 8:22-26 ESV).

 

Perhaps you have done some gardening. One of our favorite plants is the tomato. There’s really nothing quite like a vine ripened tomato freshly picked from your own garden. However, there have been times when just as I thought I was going to reap the benefits of my work that I was greeted with half devoured and damaged fruit. It may have been any number of little critters who had decided that my tomatoes were much better suited for their meal than mine. My response is usually one of anger and disappointment. I am indignant when bugs or worms or fungi come to ruin my plants. I get exasperated when I see evidence of animals invading the garden and stealing my harvest. Then, as rationality returns, I look for causes and remedies. I rarely, if ever, search my heart for wrongdoing or any fault of my own as a possible cause behind disasters in my garden.

 

Our reading today is a part of King Solomon’s prayer. The occasion is the grand opening of a splendid temple that the king and the people have built. After praising God’s virtues, Solomon’s prayer shifts to the predictable failings of God’s people. Weaknesses and outright sins are not readily detected or searched out. Most of us grow to realize our own faults slowly and painfully. By God-gifted wisdom, Solomon knows this. He also knows that disasters in God’s garden, like blight or locusts, can help bring us to our senses. So he prays. And, that is the first response necessary.

 

Now, it would be a mistake to see disaster as God’s judgment on our sins. But seeing nothing of God in the disasters and struggles that come our way would be shortsighted. Minimally, God intends that disasters will prompt us to examine our hearts, extend our hands in prayer, and seek to honor him all the time.