Welcome to the Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations covering 1 Kings 8:27 where we are reminded of the vastness of God through King Solomon’s prayer of dedication for the temple.
But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you; how much less this house that I have built!
Echoing later were the words of the prophet Isaiah, Heaven is my throne and the earth is my footstool; what is the house that you would build for me, and what is the place of my rest? (66:1). Stephen also, recorded in Acts 7, drew the parallel. These words from King Solomon prayed at the dedication of the temple of the Lord show the great wisdom that God had placed within him. He knew both the greatness and majesty of the Lord, that He is holy and spirit, and yet that He was a God who made Himself known in personal ways among mankind on the earth. In this prayer, one can tell that Solomon wanted God to be near, gracing the people with His presence, but he also acknowledges the omnipresence of God as he realizes His utter vastness; He could not be contained in any one place!
The paradox continues as there is the effort made toward the construction of an extraordinary temple that would be worthy of God while at the same time acknowledging before everyone that such a place is as nothing in light of the majesty of the holy King. For if all of heaven itself cannot contain Him, it would be absurd to think that a little man-made structure could serve this purpose.
Solomon’s entire prayer is worthy of considerable meditation as an example of humility and wisdom in approaching the Lord. His way of coming into God’s presence reminds us of the attitudes and posture that we also should take. We pray to Him with that desire for intimacy with Him (and a confidence that this is possible) while realizing that such will only happen through His exercise of grace and mercy.
Praise God that He has come humbly to the earth, to be fully with us, in the form of His Son, Jesus! In light of Solomon’s prayer and all that we know of God from the Scriptures, this is nothing short of a miracle–a miracle that brings new life to all that place their faith in Him.
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2 Responses to “Daily Scripture Reading and Meditation–1 Kings 8:27”
…and to think that this infinite and almighty God, not only came to us in our depravity, but also chose to make you and me His dwelling place. Wow!
It is incredible…and humbling!