This is a fascinating, real-life application of Solomon’s dedication of the first temple in Jerusalem. It’s worth reviewing the whole of 1 Kings 8 to see that in the course of dedicating the temple, Solomon never mentions the sacrifices, rituals, or even the priesthood as God’s primary purpose for the role of the temple, but that it is rather to be a focus for prayer, whether one is worshiping inside it or so far away that all they can do is turn towards and remember it.

It’s a wonderful, plain explanation that everything must first begin within us, within our heart. Regardless of where we are or how hopeless the situation, God listens to a heart that truly turns and calls to Him, a heart that is truly determined to change its ways and priorities. How long the downward spiral sometimes takes for us to come to the place of true repentance! In Jonah’s case, not just all the way to the sea, not all the way to the bottom of the sea, but all the way to the belly of the fish. It’s the ultimate expression of hope that as long as we have breath, we have the opportunity to be reconciled and restored to the Lord._††_†

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