HIGHLIGHT
1 Kings 8:27 (ESV): 27 “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!
EXPLAIN
Solomon had employed many workers for seven years to build a magnificent Temple in which the people would worship God. Now, he was dedicating this edifice to God.
You can hear the awe and wonder in Solomon’s voice as he prayed, noting that God had never chosen a city out of Israel in which to have a house, but God chose David to be king.
David had desired to build a temple, but God told him his son would do so. Solomon had done so, recognizing the privilege he had in carrying out such an amazing task.
While this Temple was magnificent, Solomon recognized from the beginning that the King of the universe could not be contained by its walls. Rather, this building would bear God’s name and the people would worship him there.
These words became key many years later when Stephen testified for Christ, arguing that the Jewish religious leaders had lost focus on what was most important, revering the place where God was worshipped so much that they had missed the very Presence of God, the Son of God, in their midst.
APPLY
Like Solomon, we must be wise enough to understand that God is not contained by our buildings, our traditions, our rules. Rather, we should always seek the living presence of our Lord and Savior, worshipping him only.
RESPOND
Heavenly Father, thank you for your Son, Jesus Christ. May I worship him only, always, never confusing the trappings of religion with the person of Christ. Amen.