Reading 1Kings 8 . . . It must have been a magnificent event to have been part of. After seven years . . . millions of hours of blood and sweat labor . . . no cost spared in the materials . . . the house for God that David desired to build, the temple that David’s son did build, is ready for occupancy. The sacrifices begin — so many sheep and oxen be sliced and diced and flamed, that they could not be counted or numbered (8:5). The ark is transported to its new home . . . the glory of God is invited to “move in” to one of the finest structures every conceived and built of man to that time. And the glory moves in (8:11). Solomon then stands before the altar of sacrifice, lifts his hands toward heaven, and prays like he’s never prayed before. And amidst that prayer he asks a question . . . not a question of disbelief, but a question of awe and wonder . . . “Really?”

“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!” (1Kings 8:27 ESV)

Yes, the temple was “over the top.” The best materials . . . the best craftsmanship . . . no expense spared . . . but could God really dwell there? . . . would God really dwell there? Yeah, it was big . . . but would the God who overflowed heaven really fit into such a place? Sure, it was likely the most holy place on all the earth . . . but it was still like a garbage dump compared to the glories of heaven . . . would God really dare to touch down on this fallen ball of creation? Really?

Uh . . . yeah . . . really! And so much more . . . a little room at the back of a big temple was but an indicator of God’s determination to dwell on earth . . . to be among those He created.

“Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? . . . For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple . . . In [Christ] you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.”
(1 Cor. 3:16-17, Eph. 2:22)

Really?

Yeah . . . really!

While the materials (aka us) may not be the best, God has spared no cost in redeeming them as He builds for Himself a dwelling place on this earth. Bought by the precious blood of Christ, we are living stones being shaped and placed into a structure in which He desires to abide . . . through which He desires to manifest His glory. We are His workmanship and by His grace and through His Spirit He desires to move in and make His home in us. And it just kind of blows me away this morning . . . “will God indeed dwell on the earth?”

Sometimes I need to be more like Solomon. I need to stop. And I need to spread out my hands toward heaven . . . I need to look up, look way up . . . and consumed with fresh awe and wonder exclaim, “Really?”

“May the LORD our God be with us, as He was with our fathers. May He not leave us nor forsake us, that He may incline our hearts to Himself, to walk in all His ways, and to keep His commandments and His statutes and His judgments, which He commanded our fathers. (1Kings 8:57-58 NKJV)

For His glory . . . . REALLY!