People who like to list all of God's promises often forget that many of them are conditional; they start with an 'if'. When Rev. Peter Richmond taught from the Bible on Sunday, he showed how Solomon understood the fairness of God as he prayed that he would hear and forgive the people of Israel if their own sin should land them in trouble. The great temple had just been built and was being dedicated with many trumpets and other instruments. The Glory of the Lord filled the temple like a cloud, so that the priests could not perform their duties - such was the effect of praise that day. Solomon, however, looked at times ahead and recognised that in the future the Israelites might sin and suffer for it. He asked that the temple might be a source of God's mercy to anyone who looked towards it in repentance. It was in the quiet of the night when Solomon received his answer, which Peter read from the Young's translation: " If I restrain the heavens and there is no rain, and if I lay charge on the locust to consume the land, and if I send pestilence among My people - and My people on whom My name is called be humbled, and pray, and seek My face, and turn back from their evil ways, then I will hear from the heavens, and forgive their sin, and heal their land." (2 Chronicles 7:14) This promise will form the theme for the next few Sundays at Hesed. Services are held weekly in Carringtons Restaurant, The Atlantic Hotel, Tenby, at 4.15 in the afternoon. Telephone 01646 681805 for details.
