“Then Solomon began to build the house of the Lord in Jerusalem on Mount Moriah, where the Lord had appeared to David his father, at the place that David had appointed, on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite... These are Solomon’s measurements for building the house of God: the length, in cubits of the old standard, was sixty cubits, and the breadth twenty cubits. The vestibule in front of the nave of the house was twenty cubits long, equal to the width of the house, and its height was 120 cubits. He overlaid it on the inside with pure gold. The nave he lined with cypress and covered it with fine gold and made palms and chains on it. He adorned the house with settings of precious stones… So he lined the house with gold—its beams, its thresholds, its walls, and its doors—and he carved cherubim on the walls.
“And he made the Most Holy Place.” 2 Chronicles 3:1-8a
Appointed, anointed, established in the Lord, Solomon set out to build God’s temple. At the start, he did not go the way of other eastern kings by choosing a place of his own imagination. Rather, with wisdom from God, he knew the purpose of the temple and situated it at the location purchased by faith in God’s promise. It would be a place of costly sacrifice, a place where mediation between God and man would occur, where atonement would be won. Thus, he set out to do God’s work God’s way in God’s appointed place. (Genesis 22:2,14; 1 Chronicles 21:15,18,22-27; 29:1-2a,22-25)
Solomon was careful to plan and execute the construction according to God’s instructions and with the best of materials. The divine design would magnify God’s splendor and beauty, and promote lofty worship. Everything was spent and meticulously executed for His renown and purpose.
In daily activities and duties, we choose to erect temples of our own. Where we stop for pleasure or are preoccupied, where we gather and store treasure, where our our souls are thrilled and hearts are set beating, these are the places we’ve chosen to set altars. We sacrifice time and resources, sometimes responsibilities and relationships with people we love, for the opportunity to build edifices to desire, approval, and pride. What am I worshiping? (Matthew 6:19-21)
The vital location is the place where God reigns over all. It must be the seat of the heart, for from there flow all my affections and devotion. From their flows my attention, choices, and decisions. Once I establish my location for the temple of my life, with what do I build? Do I waste time with wood, hay, and stubble, or build with what is precious and lasting? (1 Corinthians 3:10–15)
How well do I maintain His temple? Do I intentionally fill it with the truth of His word, joyful song, prayer, and honorable living, or casually mistreat its intended use to serve self-seduction, frivolous indulgence, or temporal pleasure? (2 Chronicles 5:7-10,13-14; 1 Corinthians 6:16-20; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18)
Lord, establish my heart as Your throne in this body Your temple. Guard and keep my every location as a place where Your majesty shines and You both reign and are greatly honored.
As the rain and snow 