2 Chron 6:27   then hear from heaven and forgive the sin of your servants, your people Israel . Teach them the right way to live, and send rain on the land you gave your people for an inheritance.

  

This is part of Solomon's prayer at the consecration of the Temple. It follows a sequence that occurs against and again that we see in the previous verse: “when they pray toward this place and confess your name and turn from their sin.” Perhaps we now take for granted what is very obvious, a sequence that can be seen again and again in Old Testament history: the people turn away from God, He disciplines them, it is painful, they repent and turn back and He forgives and restores blessing to them.

 

Now gods that bring judgment on people are common in history but we tend to take for granted this obvious thing: that God is looking to forgive, restore and bless His people all the time. Many religions live on fear, but Judaism and then Christianity bring this amazing assurance – God seeks to bless people, and as soon as they turn to Him that blessing is available. It is so obvious in Scripture that I am certain we need reminding of the truth that is here.

 

Many people feel God is a hard God, but this prayer of Solomon's reveals a contrary truth. Again and again, when people turn to God He will bless them with all good things. Solomon's reign was the highest example of that. God gave him wisdom and then all good things so that he became the richest man in the world. God is a giver! Hallelujah!