Contemplative Bible Reading

2 Chronicles 6:21 (New Living Translation)

21 May you hear the humble and earnest requests from me and your people Israel when we pray toward this place. Yes, hear us from heaven where you live, and when you hear, forgive.

King Solomon is praying at the dedication of the Temple in Jerusalem (called “this place” in the verse). There is much we can write about this prayer and this final request.

Consider the last phrase, “and when you hear, forgive.” Solomon knows that he, his people, and all mankind for all time will sin and will need forgiveness. Solomon asks, please forgive.

Well, we say, let’s just stop sinning. Well, maybe let’s just try harder and sin less. The second idea has some merit. We can sin less. We can live better and closer to God. Maybe a lot better, maybe a little better, but we can do better. Right?

Maybe we can; maybe we can’t. Maybe we can try so hard and worry so much that we hurt ourselves and those around us. Maybe we can relax and let the grace of God dwell in us and we simply live in that grace.

I strive for improvement. I’ve always felt like I could do better. That has helped me on occasions and given me a lot of pain on other occasions.

Well, what do we do? Let’s pray. Please God, hear us and forgive us.