One way is misery in the moment and memories of past goodness.
by Dennis Gladden, By Green Pastures, ©2026
(Jun. 24, 2026) — Question: Jesus said, “Do not murmur among yourselves. No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him” (John 6:43–44). I admit this statement makes me murmur. How do I know if God is drawing me to Jesus?
Response: A comparison of Solomon’s temple with Jesus will help answer the question.
You may say it’s unreasonable to compare a building and a person. Remember what Jesus said when His enemies asked for a sign after He drove the money changers from the temple.
“Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” John explains what Jesus meant: “He was speaking of the temple of His body” (John 2:21).
This is my premise:
- Circumstances that drew the people to Solomon’s temple are the same that God uses to draw us to Jesus.
- God’s response to those who turned toward the temple is the same as when we turn to Jesus.
Let’s begin with Solomon’s dedication of the temple in 2 Chronicles 6.
He has finished its construction, and the day for its dedication has arrived. In his eloquent prayer, Solomon sees dark times ahead. The people will leave this glorious celebration, and everyday life will swallow them up.
Disputes will arise, and the people, as devoted as they are today, will turn away from God. Life will get hard.
The troubles that Solomon foresees can be grouped into four categories.
Broken relationships. Neighbor will sin against neighbor and, by law, must resort to the temple and the priests for judgment (6:22–23). The temple is the place for injured parties to seek justice.
Hardship. There will be drought, famine, sickness, epidemics, and other calamities (6:26–28). These remind me of the disasters our country has experienced—wildfires, droughts, floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, and other extreme weather. Entire communities are wiped out. Rebuilding is daunting. They grow weary of enduring.
Home life breaks down. The king foresaw enemies driving the people from their homes. They would be exiled, captives in countries far and wide (6:36).
What a picture of our times. Immigration is a global issue as wars are forcing millions from their homes. War may not have erupted in our land, but domestic violence and divorce are tearing homes apart.
The battles of everyday life (6:34). Perhaps Solomon recalled the years before Israel had kings, when hostile neighbors attacked, and God raised up judges to deliver Israel. He knew more battles loomed.
Each election, candidates remind us we are in the fight of our lives. They implore, “Elect me! I will fight for justice, education, affordability, etc.” They recognize that facing every day can be a battle. They promise to take on our struggles.
For each impending affliction, Solomon expects distress will turn the people toward the temple—the house that bore God’s name and was given as a house of prayer (6:20).
Read the rest here.