‘But will God really dwell on earth with humans? The heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain you. How much less this temple that I have built!’ (v18) 2 Chronicles 6:16–18
For many, the very concept of God is unbelievable. It lies beyond our human capacity to understand. After all, if it didn’t, God would be reduced to the level of our understanding. Yet God remains, all-powerful, all knowledgeable and present everywhere continuously.
Here, Solomon’s prayer raises the question that was answered in Jesus. We are the beneficiaries of God’s incarnate life and ministry in Him. Where once God was manifest in a mobile tabernacle, then a static temple, today that same incomparable, indefinable reality of God resides within those who choose to say yes to Jesus.
We are now temples of the Holy Spirit, God’s presence. Our mortality contains the eternal presence of God, the presence that existed before the world was formed and will exist after it ceases to turn upon its axis. It’s humbling and challenging in equal measure.
As Solomon declared, such temples cannot contain the infinitude of God. Yet, they do carry within them God’s reality.
Our challenge is in ensuring that through our lives the very glory of God is manifest. That we live as those who through prayer and service choose to ensure that God’s order is realised on earth.
This is our primary calling as God’s servants. We are the points of presence that can call for revival both in our personal walk of faith and subsequently across our communities.
Related Scripture to Consider: Gen. 1:1–3; Exod. 40:33–38; 1 Cor. 6; John 1:1–18.
An Action to Take: Think about being God’s mobile, mortal temple and the wonder of carrying God’s glory within you. You carry His presence into every situation you find yourself in.
A Prayer to Make: ‘Lord, from this mortal temple of mine let Your light shine out and reveal the life and light of Christ. Amen.’
Photo by Andrey Popov from Depositphotos
