1 Kings 8:12-21 Behold His House
All are gathered before the door of the new Temple. Solomon stands before the people to bless the Lord and pass this house into His hands. Behold, God’s new house.
Reading this section reminds me of the movie “It’s A Wonderful Life” and the scene where the Martini’s moved into their new home. Of course I had to include that clip for you too. Solomon stands before the people to give credit to the Lord for the work done. But the first words he spoke feel more personal.
Solomon is looking on as the Levites complete their work of placing he Ark in its new home. When they withdraw from the Temple the presence of God fills it and the priests can’t even stand in the face of it. As they fall to their knees, Solomon is struck by this sight. The first words out of his mouth are tender and meant for him and the Lord alone.
While filled with awe and wonder a memory springs forth into Solomon’s mind. It escapes his lips; “The Lord has said that He would dwell in thick darkness” (verse 12). Seeing that ‘darkness’ filling the house he has just finished for the Lord, he offers it up to Him. He is proud of the work he has done. With the heart of a child he offers his BEST work to the Father. “I have indeed built You and exalted house, a place for You to dwell in forever” (verse 13). A child’s eyes beholding the Father’s pleasure. “I did good, didn’t I Daddy.”
The moment passes and Solomon turns to the people gathered before the Temple. This could have been a moment of great pride where Solomon presented and pointed out all the wonder of the house that HE had built, but it wasn’t. Instead, Solomon gave God the glory for the work done. Solomon may have orchestrated and overseen the building but God provided the opportunity and ability. Solomon focuses on THAT fact. The fact that God “with His hand has fulfilled what He promised with His mouth” (verse 15b).
Instead of pointing out all the intricate decorations, the increased size of the altar, the addition of ten rolling basins, or even the enormous Bronze sea, Solomon focuses on the promise made by God to allow this day to be fulfilled.
God promised David that He would indeed allow a house to be built, in a place that would serve ALL Israel as a place to meet with the Lord. And it would be David’s son who would complete this task. Solomon stood before the doors of that fulfilled promise. One more thing to point to for the people to KNOW that when God makes a promise, He KEEPS it.
In the very heart of this house that God allowed to be built rests His most solemn promise to Israel. The tablets of stone He wrote upon. Is anything too hard for the Lord? He has been faithful, even to an unfaithful people. Standing before the evidence of His word there should be NO doubt concerning the rest of His promises. “And there I have provided a place for the Ark, in which the covenant of the Lord that He made with our fathers, when He brought them out of the land of Egypt” (verse 21). Faithful and true are His promises!
If God said it, you can count it as done! You personally may not see the promise fulfilled in your lifetime but you can be CERTAIN it WILL be done. David didn’t get to see his son build the house for the Lord but he KNEW it would come to pass. I don’t have to personally see the return of the Lord to KNOW it will happen. I don’t even have to live to see the rapture of the church to KNOW that, in one way or another, I will be part of the final number. All I have to KNOW is the One who made that promise. God said it, and that settles it. Me believing it isn’t even required for it to come to pass. I benefit greatly by believing it because then I prepare myself for what is to come. But my belief doesn’t change His faithfulness to His word. And because of ALL the evidence of Him keeping His promises, I CHOOSE to trust Him with my life and beyond!
Father God, THANK YOU that I don’t have to go on ‘blind faith’ when it comes to trusting You. You have provided me with MORE than enough evidence to trust You. There is not a single promise in Your word that won’t come true. I hope I get to be part of Your ‘rapture’ promise. With the way things are going in this world, I don’t expect it to be much longer. But even if it is a long way away (in human counting ways), I KNOW that You will be faithful to keep me safe until the end of my days and beyond. I have NO need to worry. You have me safely in the palm of Your hand.
