Then and now. 1 Kings 8.57, 58
Jesus throughout the Scriptures: Samuel-Chronicles (5)
Pray Psalm 139.23, 24.
Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me, and know my anxieties;
And see if there is any wicked way in me,
And lead me in the way everlasting.
Sing Psalm 139.23, 24.
(Ripley: Hallelujah, Praise Jehovah, O My Soul)
Search my heart, O LORD, and know me, as You only, LORD, can do.
Test my thoughts and contemplations, whether they be vain or true.
Let there be no sin in me, LORD, nothing that Your Spirit grieves.
Lead me in the righteous way, LORD, unto everlasting peace!
Read 1 Kings 6.11-14; 8.10-13, 55-61 meditate on 8.57, 58.
Preparation
1. Why did Solomon build the temple?
2. What did he call on the LORD to do for His people?
Meditation
The details of the building of the temple, from the initial contracts with Hiram of Tyre, to the gathering of resources and the details of construction, unto the final adornments of the whole project, are reported in 1 Kings 5-8. The temple was to be the earthly abode of God, where His people would meet with Him for worship and instruction. It had to be a majestic and beautiful temple, because God is majestic and beautiful.
The idea that God would come to dwell among His people was new with Israel. It began with the tabernacle; but that did not seem a fitting dwelling place for the eternal God. David and Solomon moved to create a more permanent structure. They reasoned, God loves us. He receives our worship. He guides us in His Law. He has been among us in this earthly tent. He should be here with us, among us, dwelling with us in a more permanent and glorious structure; and the place where He dwells should reflect the majesty and beauty of His divine character.
All this points us forward to Jesus, in Whom the fullness of the Godhead dwells bodily. He came among us, not in majesty and beauty, but lowly, and as a servant, obedient to His Father on our behalf, even unto death. “Therefore God also has highly exalted Him…” (Phil. 2.9). Now Jesus is exalted in glory, has been given a Name above all names, and rules from His throne in heaven where He ever lives to intercede for us. And He has sent His Spirit to dwell in us and to transform us into His likeness.
We who believe are thus “temples” of the Lord, and our churches—we as communities of believers—are temples in the temple of the worldwide Church, dwelling places of God through faith in Jesus Christ. God dwells among us now because of the work of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who promised to be with us always, even to the end of the age (Matt. 28.20). David in Psalm 139 celebrated and wondered over the Presence of our Lord with us; we should do so as well.
God is building a dwelling place for Himself in the soul of every believer in Jesus. And He calls us to join in that work which makes us day by day more a refraction of the living Lord Jesus in this world (Phil. 2.12; 2 Cor. 3.12-18).
Treasure Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162.
As “God is building a dwelling place for Himself in the soul of every believer” we must make sure to keep ourselves ready for Him to inhabit us. God tells us exactly how we should be prepared:
“Concerning this temple which you are building,
if you walk in My statutes,
execute My judgments,
keep all My commandments,
and walk in them,
then I will perform My word with you,
which I spoke to your father David.
And I will dwell among the children of Israel,
and will not forsake My people Israel” (1 Kgs. 6.12, 13).
Why is it that so many believers today think we bear no responsibility?
That there are no requirements to fulfill in our walk with the Lord?
That we have ostensibly received our Get out of jail free card and that is the end of the story?
Why is keeping all His commandments not even a thing anymore?
How is it we miss the if/then clauses in so much of Scripture?
Why is there a laziness of spirit toward all things godly?
What has happened to cause this confusion?
Is it that we are blind to the enemy’s tactical strikes?
Is it that he would like us to forget that we are called to holiness and godliness?
And we willingly don’t remember?
“Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit Who is in you,
Whom you have from God, and you are not your own?
For you were bought at a price;
therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit,
which are God’s” (1 Cor. 6.19, 20).
You were bought by Jesus, therefore glorify God in your body and spirit.
“In mercy and truth atonement is provided for iniquity;
and by the fear of the LORD one departs from evil” (Prov. 16.6).
This was Solomon’s foray into providing the first Four Spiritual Laws or Steps to Peace With God booklet.
Only it’s better, more concise, and complete, covering things the others leave out.
Namely, the step after salvation.
God provides atonement for sin through the life, death, and resurrection of His Son Jesus.
Then we fear the LORD, follow His Word, and depart from evil in the process.
It is hard work—the whole story—not just near Christianity.
It’s the work that prepares us to be a dwelling place for God—fully habitable.
Reflection
1. How is it evident in your life that you are a dwelling place of God?
2. Jesus said, “I will build My church” (Matt. 16.18). What makes a local church a dwelling place of God?
3. How does God intend for us to adorn and beautify the temple He is making of us?
What Solomon asks for in this prayer, is still granted in the intercession of Christ, of which his supplication was a type. We shall receive grace sufficient, suitable, and seasonable, in every time of need. Matthew Henry (1662-1714), Commentary on 1 Kings 8.54-61
Pray Psalm 139.11-18.
Jesus is, indeed, with us always. Give Him thanks and praise, and call on Him for grace and strength to serve Him this day.
Sing Psalm 139.11-18.
(Ripley: Hallelujah, Praise Jehovah, O My Soul)
Neither light nor dark conceals me; day as night is with You, LORD!
All my inward parts You fashioned by Your all-decreeing Word.
Praise the LORD, for You have made me; all Your wondrous works I’ll tell!
All Your works declare Your glory, and my soul knows this full well!
All my unformed frame You witnessed when You destined all my days.
Precious to me, LORD, Your precepts; all Your wondrous Word I praise.
More than sand, Your thoughts to me, LORD, far too vast their sum for me!
When the morning breaks upon me, in Your Presence I shall be.
T. M. and Susie Moore
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment and give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Cor. 4.15).
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Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. For sources of all quotations, see the weekly PDF of this study. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter.
