That the whole house might be perfect.

 

Saturday, September 9, 2023


Psalm 22:1-22

1 Kings 6:1-7:1

Acts 26:1-18


Observances: Ciaran of Clonmacnoise (d. c. 545); Charles Fuge Lowder (d. 1880)


That the whole house might be perfect.


Mark how important Solomon’s Temple is in the history of the people of God. We can date its construction precisely; this is no hotel-motel that Yahweh stays in when He comes to visit during school holidays. It is the ending of such transience, of both God and God’s people. No longer drawing people away from their homelands, no more enslavement, no more wandering through the desert, no more battles. God’s people have come home, and here is God’s house in the middle of them all. Such was the moment when God opened our eyes; such will be the moment we finally enter the new heavens and the new earth.


Everything had been prepared beforehand: there was no sound of mason’s tools to disturb the pleasant peace of the house of the Lord. God chose those whom He will save from before the foundation of the world. The decision of your salvation had been made before the first words were spoken into the void. Rest, and be at peace: God’s love will never leave you.


That temple was destroyed. Another was rebuilt, but that too fell into the dust. But this is how it was always going to be. Because God had already made a temple for Himself. A home had been made for God already. Listen to what He said to Solomon in verses 11 – 13. It is all well and good for you to make this beautiful building, Solomon, but if you really want my blessing, stay by my side no matter what.


The temple that God has made for Himself is the body of every believer (1 Cor 6:19). Holy Spirit is laying the sanctuary with gold, so that it might be perfect. Our Lord Jesus, once the son of a human carpenter, is now decorating the timber work of our soul. The Holy Trinity, the three Persons of the one God, dancing forever in eternity past together in love, have made us their ballroom. They are at work; let them work. For then the whole house will be perfect.

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