God enters the temple

December 13

Scripture Reading

Read 1 Kings 8:6-13 and reflect on the passage.

Johnny could not believe it. “Wow! I actually got his autograph! He looked right at me when he signed my program. And he even smiled. It would have been enough just to see him play, but then he chose to make himself available for his fans. He walked right up to me. He didn’t need to do that. I’ll never be the same!”

We can understand the amazement in the heart of young boy who had a one-on-one encounter with his favorite sports superstar. How much more when the Lord of the universe chooses to make Himself available to us—mere mortals? Solomon was the wealthiest king to reign over Israel; he expanded the borders of the nation to its farthest reaches. Yet, when he built the temple, he counted it a high privilege that the Lord would be present among them.

Even more astounding—at Christmas we celebrate the awesome, amazing, audacious claim that God chose to take up residence in the body of a baby! It would be enough for us to see our God from afar. But He chooses to draw near, to look us in the eye and to place His name upon us. Wonder!

Questions

1.      When have you been awed or amazed that someone chose to notice you and include you in something?

2.      How amazing is it to you that God chooses to seek to establish or deepen a relationship with you?

  

Prayer

King of the universe, thank You for making Yourself available to me. In no way do I deserve Your attention, but I am eternally grateful for the wonder of Christmas. Amen.

—David Mann 

God is bigger than anything man can build

2 December

Scripture Reading

Read 1 Kings 8:22-27 and reflect on the passage.

Young King Solomon stands before his people and gives his stunning new building to the Lord. Though the new temple is magnificent, Solomon admits it is unfit as God’s home because even all heaven and earth cannot contain its Maker. How much more incredible, then, to ponder that God Himself in human flesh has come among us! In fact, today He wants His spirit to live long-term inside our floundering hearts. C. S. Lewis pictured us in this indwelling experience as living houses that God wants to rebuild. At first, God does basic repairs that we knew we needed. But, when he starts huge remodeling changes, we wonder what’s up.

“The explanation is that He is building quite a different house from the one you thought of—throwing out a new wing here, putting on an extra floor there, running up towers, making courtyards. You thought you were being made into a decent little cottage: but He is building a palace. He intends to come and live in it Himself.”

—C. S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

Questions

1. What basic repair does God want to make in your “living house” today?

2. Where does God want long-term rebuilding in you, His palace?

Prayer

Lord, Life-builder, come in. No more spot cleaning nor superficial patch jobs. Knock down walls. Build what You need. Make my life Your home. Amen.

—Pam Mann