1 Kings 8:1-21

“And there I have provided a place for the ark, in which is the covenant of the LORD that he made with our fathers, when he brought them out of the land of Egypt.” (1 Kings 8:21, ESV)

Solomon and the workers had been laboring for seven and a half years. At last the temple was completed. The Ark of the Covenant was brought in and set in its place in the inner sanctuary. As soon as the priests left the room, the glory of the LORD filled the place so that the priests could no longer minister.

We are the temple of the Holy Spirit. When God has His rightful place in the inner sanctuary of the heart, then He fills us with His glorious presence. We don’t have to strive to be better or to be worthy of His indwelling presence. We only have to make the proper space and invite Him in.

So how do we create the right environment where the LORD can dwell? It’s a simple act of surrender. It is the prayer, “Not my will, but your will be done.” It is humble submission to the covenant of commandments written on our heart. Of course, it doesn’t hurt to invite Him to take His rightful place on the throne of your heart.

“And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit.” (Ephesians 5:18, NKJV)

God wants to fill you with His Spirit. He’s only waiting for you to make the space in your heart for Him to enter. That may mean first doing a little housecleaning. You may have to empty the trash of the lust of the flesh. You may have to wash the windows of your eyes from covetousness or envy. And you may have to open the windows to air out the stench of pride. But once the house is ready, the Spirit will come rushing in!

“Heavenly Father, thank you that you desire to dwell in me. Cleanse me from an evil conscience and write your covenant of commandments on my heart. Lord Jesus, come sit on the throne of my heart and fill me with your glorious Spirit. Amen.”