1 Kings 8

Solomon built the temple in Jerusalem, but only God could fill the temple with His Presence. The Lord's glory cloud was so palpable on that day that the priests could not stand up for their service.

The blessing of the great king of Israel was upon the assembly of His people. Solomon also blessed the Lord for His great faithfulness.

Solomon knew that he was chosen by God to be the son of David who would build this great house of God. But did he understand that One greater than he would one day more perfectly fulfill the words of 2 Samuel 7:14, “I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son.”? (Hebrews 1:5) Could he see that a greater Son of David would build a more enduring temple and reign over an everlasting kingdom?

The end of the ages has come upon us, and we see these truths with clarity. The Lord has fulfilled all His promises in His great Son, Jesus. Yet even now, we only see our King with the eyes of our hearts. When will we see Him face to face? Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

There is no God like the God of Israel. His promise to David has been confirmed in the resurrection of Jesus, the firstborn of an everlasting resurrection kingdom. Jesus paid close attention to the way of His Father. He has been confirmed as the Son of God forever.

If God chose to hear the prayers of His servants of old when they turned toward His temple in Jerusalem, how much more will the Lord hear our cries as we lift our hands up to heaven in the Name of His Son? We can serve Him on earth with boldness and appropriate confidence as we seek to follow His Word.

The Lord in heaven will hear us when we seek His forgiveness. He will give us spiritual armor for the day of battle. He will feed us with bread from heaven. He will heal our diseases. He will help those who are strangers to His people, drawing them lovingly to Himself as they call upon His Name. He will welcome His children home again to His house when they cry out to Him even though they have wandered away into the bondage of sin. Freedom Christ will set many captives free.

When Jesus ascended into heaven, His hands were raised in benediction over His disciples. We have His royal blessing over the church at this very hour. All the nations of the earth are hearing His voice from heaven through the ambassadors He sends forth with the message of the cross.

His sacrifice of Himself is far more powerful than all the oxen and sheep that Solomon offered up to God at the dedication of the temple in Jerusalem. His blessing that is coming upon the earth will be far more glorious than anything that we ask for or imagine. Our hearts are full of joy even now because of all the goodness that God has promised to us in the sure Name of Jesus. He is the holy Servant of the Lord and the eternal King of an everlasting kingdom of glory.