"The Lord said to him: "I have heard the prayer and plea you have made before Me; I have consecrated this temple, which you have built, by putting my Name there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there."" (1 Kings 9:2 NIV)
Solomon had successfully erected the temple. It took him seven years and a slew of favors, but he accomplished the God-honoring task his father had set out to do. And then, in 1 Kings 8, he prayed a beautiful prayer of dedication, asking God to keep His holy eyes toward the Temple and His people always. God responded affirmatively to Solomon’s petition because the king’s prayer was in lockstep with His stated will. We are reminded, our prayers are most potent when we pray along divine lines of thinking.
"As for you, if you walk before Me faithfully with integrity of heart and uprightness, as David your father did, and do all I command and observe my decrees and laws, I will establish your royal throne over Israel forever, as I promised David your father when I said, 'You shall never fail to have a successor on the throne of Israel.'" (1 Kings 9:4-5 NIV)
We read of God’s instructions for King Solomon and realize that integrity of heart and faithfulness are impossible apart from the Father. Proximity breeds purity. Distance produces degeneration. We must stay near to God; on the heels of His holiness. We cannot live for Him on our own.
"This temple will become a heap of rubble." (1 Kings 9:8 NIV)
The Lord warns Solomon: deviance from the plan will result in destruction. In this text, God is referring to the actual, physical temple: the beautiful stone, gold and cedar structure that Solomon had invested seven years and a fortune erecting. God implored the Israelite king: divine distance and disregard would bring it to ruin.
What is the modern application? We still occupy a temple, only it is flesh and blood instead of stone and cedar.
"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; you were bought with a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies." (1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NIV)
Our bodies were designed to carry the presence of God into this fallen world. We stoke His presence through nearness and attentiveness. We starve His presence through distance and disregard.
Lord, help us to tend to the temple: paying attention to Your presence and committing to closeness. We require Your attendance. Things fall apart in Your absence: primarily us. Come and fill these temples: transform ordinary flesh into holy estate. Tether our hearts and captivate our minds. Keep us whole and entirely devoted to You. Amen.