1 Kings 7-10
A Living Sanctuary

The text in 1 Kings 8 does not tell us, but we can imagine it to have been a beautiful, clear day. The temple was finished and stood tall in all its glory. The assembled crowd had just witnessed the cloud of the LORD entering the temple, a sign of God's approval and acceptance of this house. Solomon must have been overwhelmed at the completion and acceptance of this task.

"O Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like you, in heaven above or on earth beneath, keeping covenant and showing steadfast love to your servants who walk before you with all their heart, who have kept with your servant David my father what you declared to him. You spoke with your mouth, and with your hand have fulfilled it this day. Now therefore, O Lord, God of Israel, keep for your servant David my father what you have promised him, saying, You shall not lack a man to sit before me on the throne of Israel, if only your sons pay close attention to their way, to walk before me as you have walked before me. Now therefore, O God of Israel, let your word be confirmed, which you have spoken to your servant David my father. But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you; how much less this house that I have built! Yet have regard to the prayer of your servant and to his plea, O Lord my God, listening to the cry and to the prayer that your servant prays before you this day, that your eyes may be open night and day toward this house, the place of which you have said, My name shall be there, that you may listen to the prayer that your servant offers toward this place" (1 Kings 8:23-29). Solomon went on to ask God to remember His people when they sin, but turn back to the temple.

True words were spoken by Solomon when he said, "Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you; how much less this house that I have built!" While God allowed man to make a temple for Him, He cannot be contained there. Paul said this on Mars Hill, "The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything" (Acts 17:24-25).

Then, where does God reside? Ultimately, there is no limited answer—God is everywhere. He lives in no one particular place. But, practically for us, an answer is found in the writings of Paul in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, "Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body." The LORD dwells in us—in all His children. We are living temples—sanctuaries—for Him.

This fact begs several questions, then. If Solomon took great care to prepare the earthly temple for God' dwelling place, do you take such care to prepare yourselves for His presence? If Solomon longed for the temple to be a reminder to the people when they sinned to return to God, is your conscience pricked when you sin? Do you feel guilty, knowing you have defiled God's temple? Let us live as people who have given our bodies—not a mere building—over to the LORD of Host. When we are faithful, let us be thankful for His presence, and live so He will remain.