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Hear Thou in Heaven … and Forgive | Making A Difference Daily
Categories: Thoughts from 1 Kings

Hear Thou in Heaven … and Forgive

Today’s Reading – 1 Kings 7-9

In chapter eight of today’s passage we see the prayer of Solomon at the dedication of the temple.  I find it interesting that Solomon speaks often to the Lord regarding the fact that Israel would fail Him in the future.  His prayer is very humble and yet it is very realistic.  Solomon speaks of the judgment that God would be forced to bring upon the children of Israel for forsaking him; but he also asks that God would forgive the people every time they turned back to him in repentance.  Notice in verse 38 that this process is not exclusively for the corporate congregation; but also for the individual who had gotten away from God.

Christians today have these same promises from God.  It would be very foolish for us to think that we will never blow it.  But we worship and serve a merciful and gracious God who “knoweth our frame”; and has built in to our relationship with Him a process for reconciliation and forgiveness.  You and I are going to sin against Him (“for there is no man that sinneth not” [v 46]).  But remember, If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)

We ought to strive to live a holy and separate life; and it ought to grieve us when we fail Him.  But don’t ever forget that He gave everything to have a relationship with you.  He loves you far more than you could ever love yourself.  And you only need to come to Him with a heart of contrition and words of confession and your relationship with Him can be restored.  What a wonderful, gracious God we serve!!!

PS – If God is gracious and forgiving with us, maybe we should cut our brothers and sisters a little slack.

Phil Erickson

Pastor Phil Erickson has been the pastor of Jersey Shore Baptist Church since January of 2002. Having grown up in Ocean County, Pastor Phil has always had a burden for the south Jersey area. After graduating from Bible College in Longview, Texas, he and his family moved to Galloway Township with the vision of digging in and serving the Lord and the people of Atlantic County. Pastor Phil and Cindy Erickson have been married since 1985. They have four children and ten grandchildren. Their oldest son, Phil Jr. and his wife Katelyn are serving the Lord in Egg Harbor Twp., NJ. Their oldest daughter, Melissa, is married to Wesley Clayton who is in the Air Force and is currently stationed in New Mexico. Samantha, their third child, is married to Justin Mears and they are both serving the Lord at the church in Galloway. Hannah, the youngest, is married to Lucas McCollum, and they are also serving here in Galloway. In preparation for ministry, the Lord led him through a variety of educational experiences that have equipped him to serve the Lord and His people. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Georgian Court University, a Bachelor of Biblical Studies in Pastoral Theology from Texas Independent Baptist Seminary (formerly Texas Baptist College), a Master of Religious Education in Bible from West Coast Baptist College, and a Master of Biblical Studies from The Crown College. More recently, he completed a Graduate Certificate in Biblical Counseling and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Veritas Baptist College. He is thankful for these opportunities to study God’s Word more deeply, and counts it a privilege to use whatever knowledge the Lord has given him for the building up of His church. In addition to pastoring, the Lord has given Phil the wonderful privilege of teaching as an adjunct professor at Vision Baptist College in Berlin, NJ and Veritas Baptist College.

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  • Hi Dave! You're right, that's good stuff. I was able to hear pastor preach about it in the academy that morning and it really helped me. Realizing that God knows that I'm going to fail and still forgives me, I know that I can face the next day.
    "...For a just man falleth seven times and riseth up again..."

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Phil Erickson

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