The temple I am going to build will be great, because our God is greater than all other gods. But who is able to build a temple for him, since the heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain him? Who then am I to build a temple for him, except as a place to burn sacrifices before him?
Solomon declares to his ally and neighboring king that the temple he is going to build will be great, and his reasoning for doing so is very simple. Because it is the Lord’s, it will outshine every other temple. It will be excellent because of, and in response to, the Lord’s existing excellence.
It’s solid logic. Laudable. And this month we watch Solomon rigorously apply this logic to things: temples, palaces, horses, chariots, shields, but neglect to apply it to the spiritual life of himself and his people.
We have the opportunity, however, to watch this logic applied to fruitful ends in Acts as the Lord builds a great temple for himself—the Church. This temple had neither silver nor gold, power nor political influence. It was not made of stone, but of flawed humans. And it was excellent. In response to, and because of, the Lord’s excellence. This is the temple He desired, and it is the temple He built for Himself.
As we read through His revelation of The Holy Spirit this month, we witness His ability to make each of us excellent—a worthy temple for Himself—and we must each consider the uses He has for us, as He builds us up day by day.
