1 Kings 6:1-18

Aug 3, 2022    Pastor Daryl Zachman

Solomon had the honor of building the house of the LORD. It would become known as Solomon’s Temple. But the temple would only be as good as the hearts of the worshipers. There was no power in the place itself other than the fact that God chose to dwell there. But there was a condition to God dwelling in the temple among them.

“The word of the LORD came to Solomon: ‘As for this temple you are building, if you follow my decrees, carry out my regulations and keep all my commands and obey them, I will fulfill through you the promise I gave to David your father. And I will live among the Israelites and will not abandon my people Israel.’” (1 Kings 6:11–13, NIV84)

God’s continual presence would be experienced through their obedience. The LORD would live among them if they kept His commandments. History tells us that they did not keep His commandments. Even Solomon’s heart would turn away from the LORD to idols because of his foreign wives. Consequently, the prophet Ezekiel would later chronicle the moment when the glory of the LORD left the temple (Ezekiel 10).

Of all God’s many blessings, I cannot think of any that compares with the LORD’s presence. The temple in all its beauty and glory was just an empty house without Him. Likewise, the most important asset to the temple of our bodies is that the LORD is living there. I never want to say or do anything that would grieve the Holy Spirit so that He would want to leave. Now we live under the New Covenant where our relationship with God is not based on our obedience to the Law but on our faith in Jesus Christ who has fulfilled the Law for us. Nevertheless, the Lord tells us to abide in His love by keeping His commandments.

“As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.” (John 15:9–10, NKJV)

This is the true worship. This is also what makes our temple the house of the LORD and brings fullness of joy.

“Heavenly Father, thank you for your indwelling Holy Spirit and your precious promise never to leave us nor forsake us. Help us to remain in Christ’s love today by keeping His commandments. May His joy be in us and may our joy be full. Amen.”