1 Kings 8: A Magnificent TempleThey blessed the king and then went home, joyful and glad in heart for all the good things the Lord had done for his servant David and his people Israel.
Solomon spares no expense in building a place for God to dwell. The temple, fashioned by 200,000 workmen, soon ranks among the wonders of the world. From a distance, it shines like a snow capped mountain. Inside, all the walls and even the floors gleam, plated with pure gold.
In many ways, the scene in chapter 8 represents the high-water mark of the entire Old Testament, the fulfillment of God's covenant with Israel. Solomon calls the nation together to dedicate the temple to God. As thousands of people look on in a huge public ceremony, the glory of the Lord comes down to fill the temple. Even the priests are driven back by the mighty force.
God is making Solomon's temple the center of his activity on Earth, and the crowd spontaneously decides to stay another two weeks to celebrate. Kneeling on a bronze platform, Solomon prays aloud, "I have indeed built a magnificent temple for you, a place for you to dwell forever." Then he catches himself in astonishment. "But will God really dwell on earth? The heavens, event the highest heaven, cannot contain you. How much less this temple I have built!"
God has done it. His promises to Abraham and Moses have finally come true. In one of the most magnificent prayers ever prayed, Solomon reviews the history of the covenant and asks God to seal that agreement with his actual presence in the temple. God responds: "I have heard the prayer and plea you have made before me; I have consecrated this temple...My eyes and my heart will always be there." (9:3) The Israelites now have land, a nation with secure boundaries and a radiant symbol of God's presence among them.
Life Question: What promise of God are you still waiting on?
Until I began attending the Chapel, I never longed for Christ's promise of salvation with the same degree of earnest that I do now. I had lived my life with the notion that if I tried to "do the right thing"- maybe, just maybe I'll get into heaven. But over the last few years, I truly have embraced the belief that if I accept Christ as my saviour, he'll welcome me home one day into his kingdom...and that promise is definitely worth the wait.
2 comments:
In Matt. 24; vs.1-2 : Jesus leaving the temple said ..." I tell you the truth, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down." The religious people have the danger of paying more attention to the structure than the content of their worship. My favorite promise from Jesus : John 11:25..."I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me will live, even though he dies."
Rob ; the beauty of salvation is the right now part of kingdom-living. Even though there are many distractions by the world, we have the kingdom of Christ in our hearts. There is a gradual transformation going on in you and me as we literally walk with God each day. The Lord has an easy yoke of partnership with Him personally as we yield our hearts to His purposes. We were created to know Him and commune with him. Our hearts were made to be the greatest temple that the Lord desires to inhabit.
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