Solomon’s Dedication Of The Temple

Will God really live on earth? Why, even the highest heavens cannot contain you. How much less this Temple I have built! Nevertheless, listen to my prayer and my plea, O LORD my God. Hear the cry and the prayer that your servant is making to you today. May you watch over this Temple night and day, this place where you have said, “My name will be there.” May you always hear the prayers I make toward this place. May you hear the humble and earnest requests from me and your people Israel when we pray toward this place. Yes, hear us from heaven where you live, and when you hear, forgive.

1 Kings 8:27-30

Standing before the magnificent Temple in Jerusalem, Solomon considered the folly of limiting God to a building made of wood and stone. Solomon knew his temple was only a small tribute to the God who cannot be contained in the entire universe. But Solomon also realized that setting apart a place for prayer and worship doesn’t necessarily mean that we believe God is confined there. Holy places serve as reminders and markers of our fellowship with God. Church buildings can’t offer forgiveness or provide us with a relationship with God, but the God whom we meet there certainly does.

What places serve as reminders of God’s presence in your life? How do they make you accountable before your holy Lord?

• Infinite Lord, hear my prayer and forgive . . .