SCRIPTURE:
When Solomon finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the Lord filled the temple. The priests could not enter the temple of the Lord because the glory of the Lord filled it. When all the Israelites saw the fire coming down and the glory of the Lord above the temple, they knelt on the pavement with their faces to the ground, and they worshiped and gave thanks to the Lord, saying, “He is good; his love endures forever.”
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Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place. I have chosen and consecrated this temple so that my Name may be there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there.
2 Chronicles 7:1-3; 7:15-16
OBSERVATION:
When Solomon’s temple was completed, the glory of the Lord filled the temple. As people saw and experienced the Holy Spirit as He filled the temple, they responded in worship. They kneeled on the ground in humility, they worshiped God, and they thanked Him saying, “He is good; his love endures forever.” The filling of the temple with God’s Holy Spirit showed that God chose, consecrated, and blessed the temple as His own. He put His Name upon the temple and pledged that His presence would always be there.
APPLICATION:
In 1 Corinthians 6:19, the apostle Paul writes “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own.” In the days of Solomon’s temple, the Holy Spirit only resided in this physical place. However, after the day of Pentecost, God gave His people the gift of Himself through the Holy Spirit. No longer was the Holy Spirit confined to the temple; every person who believed in Him now became temples of the Holy Spirit.
If you have said “Yes!” to Jesus and have given your life to Him, YOU ARE A TEMPLE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT! He lives within you and has chosen to remain with you always. As God declared about Solomon’s temple, He reminds you that the same is true for you today. God’s eyes are open and His ears are attentive to your prayers. He has chosen and consecrated you as His temple. He has written His name upon your life and calls you His child. His eyes and His heart will always be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.
Today, respond as the Israelites did as His Spirit filled the temple. Bow in honor and reverence to the holy presence of the Lord. Live a life of humility and worship to God. Thank Him for all He has done and declare that God is good. Receive His love that endures forever and live in such a way that others can see that His Great Name is written upon your heart.
PRAYER:
Holy Spirit,
You are my gift and You live in me! Thank You for choosing me to be Your home. I worship You, I praise You, and I thank You for You are good, and Your faithful love endures forever. Awake in me a power and a zeal to live a life worthy of the calling You have given me, and use me for Your glory. I bow to You and lift You high. God, be glorified in this temple.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
