1 Kings 8: 36
Then hear thou in heaven, and forgive the sin of thy servants, and of thy people Israel, that thou teach them the good way wherein they should walk, and give rain upon thy land, which thou hast given to thy people for an inheritance.

The above prayer of king Solomon at the time of consecration of the temple is the first three steps of salvation:

1. Forgiveness of sin:
   All have sinned and come short of the glory of God (Rom 3:23)
   In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
   (Col 1: 14)
2. The good way: knowledge of Jesus
   There is no other way to heaven except through Jesus.
   Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.(Jn 14: 6)
3. Rain:
   The anointing of the Holy Spirit can be compared with Fire🔥 and the Rain🌧️
   When compared with fire it deals with sanctification of our unsanctified natures.
   When compared with Rain it refreshes and makes us to rejoice in the Lord. (Joel 2:23)
   Ask ye of the LORD rain in the time of the latter rain; so the LORD shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in by the field. (Zech 10:1)
   Through the former and latter rain, we become precious fruits unto God.(Jam 5:7)
   Rain is a symbol of blessings, peace, righteousness, joy in the Holy Ghost, and hope of the coming of the Lord.
   For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.(Rom 14: 17)

🎶🎹 Send us the rain Lord, send us the rain.
Send us the latter rain
We need the rain Lord we need the rain.
We need the latter rain 🎶🎹

Stay Blessed 😊
Ravi

1 kings 9:3_9 The Lord said to him (Solomon)…… As for you if you walk before me in integrity of heart and uprightness… and do all I command and observe my decrees and laws …. you shall never fail* But if you and your sons turn away from me and do not observe the commands and decrees I have given you and go off to serve other gods… I will reject this temple

Solomon prayed a beautiful prayer of dedication 8:22_61. The Lord appeared to him a second time and told him that He had heard his prayer and urged him to walk in integrity of heart and uprightness so that His kingdom would be established. Lord also warned Solomon that if he turned away from following the Lord, Israel would be removed from the land and the temple would become a heap of ruins.

God’s promises are fulfilled only when we seek to follow Him and His ways. We cannot live as we like and expect God to bless us. Obedience would bring prosperity and Lord’s blessing and disobedience could mean utter disaster.

Cynthia Sathiaraj
Chennai