1 Kings 5:5 And behold, I purpose to build an house unto the name of the Lord my God, as the Lord spake unto David my father, saying, Thy son, whom I will set upon my throne in thy room, he shall build an house unto my name.
Solomon purposed, planned, and determined to build a house unto the name of the Lord. And so he did, in response to the goodness and faithfulness of the Lord. This building was in response to God’s will as commanded to David: “Your son will build a house unto my name.” It took seven years to build a lavish and glorious Temple with all the furnishings.
Our God and Father also went to extreme lengths to build a temple in our human bodies, a place within our spirit for the Holy and Almighty God to dwell on earth. At great expense (He sent His Son) to make a home in our heart. The believer’s body is now the temple of the Lord where God dwells. Awesome!
We respond to God’s grace and salvation by building a house for the name of the Lord within. We build by remembering our Baptism, repenting of sin, believing in Jesus as our Savior and Lord, receiving the Gospel, and coming to Him in the Word and in prayer every day and every week. Faith in Christ is not a small thing or an inconsequential matter that the Spirit works in us through the Gospel. It is magnificent and eternal.
Therefore, we respond by praying “Hallowed be thy name.” Daily we ask again and again for God to live in us and work through us. And wonder of wonders, His Glory fills the temple, our bodies.