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God is Near



          After building a magnificent temple in Jerusalem (see 2 Chronicles 2-5), King Solomon wonders, “Will God really dwell on earth with men?  The heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain you.  How much less this temple I have built” (2 Chronicles 6:18). 
  
          That is a great question!  It does seem sort of ludicrous to think any building, even a spectacular one like Solomon’s temple, would in any way be home to the God who formed the entire universe.  God must have rejected this notion right away, right?  Well, not so fast! 
  
           “When Solomon finished praying, fire came down from heaven… and the glory of the Lord filled the temple” (2 Chron. 7:1).

            The question is, “Why?”   Why would God take up residence in that place?  Why did he need a temple?

            The answer, I think, is found between Solomon’s question and God’s response.

            Right after he asks the question, Solomon adds, “May your eyes be open toward this temple day and night… May you hear the prayer your servant prays toward this place… and when you hear, forgive” (2 Chron. 6:19-21).

            He goes on to say, “When a man wrongs his neighbour and is required to take an oath and he comes and swears the oath before you altar in this temple, then hear from heaven and act” (verse 22-23).

            “When your people Israel have been defeated by an enemy because they have sinned… and when they turn back and confess… praying and making supplication before you in this temple, then hear… and forgive” (verses 24-25).

            “When the heavens are shut up and there is no rain… and [your people] pray toward this place… hear from heaven and forgive” (verse 26-27).

            “Whatever disease or disaster may come… when a prayer or a plea from your people… [is made] toward this temple – then hear from heaven, your dwelling place.  Forgive…” (verses 28-30).

            “As for the foreigner… when he comes and prays toward this temple, then hear from heaven” (verses 32-33).

            “When your people go to war… and when they pray to you toward this city you have chosen and the temple I have built… then hear… and uphold their cause” (verses 34-35).

            Lastly he says, “Now, my God, may your eyes be open and your ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place” (verse 40). 

            God did not need the temple; the people did! 

            The people needed the temple to remind them that God was near, listening to them and helping them. 

            Fortunately, God’s temple still exists, albeit in a different form:   “Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16)

            God is still alive, at work and dwelling with us; Even more so than before.

            “The mystery is that Christ lives in you, and he is your hope of sharing in God’s glory” (Colossians 1:27, CEV)

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