A Magnificent Dwelling Place

The house that is to be builded for the LORD must be exceeding magnifical,

of fame and of glory throughout all countries.  (1 Chronicles 22:5)

David had a communion with God that most of us would love to attain.  He was filled with awe and wonder at the power and majesty of God as the Creator of all, but he also was aware of God’s presence in him and through him, one-on-one.  So when he began to prepare for building a place of worship, it had to be the best of the best, like no other place before.  And with God’s instruction and assistance, David’s son Solomon did build the temple, a place whose magnificence is considered even now a marvel.

Peter calls us, as Christians, living stones that are being built up as a spiritual house (1 Peter 2:5).  Surely this house should also be “exceeding magnifical!”  It must be a testimony to the greatness and goodness and glory of God.  What will make this building exceed the fame and splendor of the early temple?

“And in Him (Christ Jesus) you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by His spirit.”  (Ephesians 2:22)

What a statement!  I am part of an architectural wonder!  The master architect and construction foreman is God, and Jesus is the foundation.  We are the laborers, using bricks and stone, silver and gold, wood and straw (1 Corinthians 2:16).

I confess, however, that my dedication to this job is sometimes less than enthusiastic.  (After all, you know how some of those other laborers are, right?  Some of them are really lazy and apathetic, and some of them have a real attitude problem.  And if everyone isn’t working to their best, why should I?  Right?)  If this is how I approach the work of God, it’s no wonder that this building isn’t getting the kind of recognition it should!  I need to remember David again, and his intimacy with God.  Is my relationship with Him hindered because I’m building His temple with a selfish or “what’s the use?” attitude?  Am I really building up, or tearing down?

 Lord, give me a new vision of you and your holiness.  Help us all to work in the building of your dwelling. I want to be exceedingly lovely to You.