After David had built a palace for himself, it had occurred to him that God still “lived” in a tent. And so he started making plans to build a temple for God.
But God stopped him and told him that his son would be the one to build a temple.
Now, here at the end of David’s life, he started to make preparations for the temple.
He couldn’t build it himself, but he wanted to make sure that Solomon had everything he needed to put the temple together.
As we look at this, I think it’s important to remember that the temple of God is no longer a building. It’s you and me.
We are the temple of God, and God dwells within us. In 1 Corinthians 6:19, it says,
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?
With that in mind, I think there are some key things to remember about building a temple for God, that is being a living temple for him.
First, David told Solomon,
[The temple] should be of great magnificence and fame and splendor in the sight of all the nations. (1 Chronicles 22:5)
In the same way, God wants us to be something so wonderful, that we stand out to the people around us.
He wants people to look at us and say, “God dwells in that person. I can really see something different about him.”
And he desires that through us, people would be attracted to him and catch a glimpse of his own magnificence, fame, and splendor.
Second, as we build this temple, we need a heart that follows wholeheartedly after God and is willing to obey him. David told Solomon,
May the Lord give you discretion and understanding when he puts you in command over Israel, so that you may keep the law of the Lord your God.
Then you will have success if you are careful to observe the decrees and laws that the Lord gave Moses for Israel. (1 Chronicles 22:12-13).
Third, there may be times when we discouraged in our fight against sin. Or we get discouraged because we see the attacks of Satan in our lives. As a result, we may start thinking about giving up becoming a temple for God.
But David told Solomon,
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged. (1 Chronicles 22:13)
How do we be strong and courageous? How do we fight fear and discouragement?
I think there are two things.
First, remember that God doesn’t leave us without the resources to be the temple of God that he wants us to be.
Just as David went through “great pains” to provide for the temple (14), Jesus went through great pains to make sure we have everything we need to be the temple of God. He died on a cross to take the punishment for our sins.
And now, Peter writes,
His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.
Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. (2 Peter 1:3-4)
In other words, we don’t have to build this temple of God in our own strength. Rather, God works in us and he gives us the power we need to live holy lives.
Second, remember that God has placed other people in your lives to help you build that temple.
Just as David ordered the leaders of Israel to help Solomon build the temple (17), God orders us to help each other to be the temple of God that wants us to be.
The writer of Hebrews said,
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.
Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (Hebrews 10:24-25)
You and I are the temple of God.
May we be temples that bring the glory of God to the nations, and especially to the people around us.
Moment to Moment (Bible blog) 