David said to Nathan the prophet, “Look! I am living in this beautiful cedar palace while the Ark of God is out in a tent!”
Nathan replied, “Go ahead with what you have in mind, for the Lord is with you.” But that night the Lord said to Nathan, “Tell my servant David not to do it! For I have never lived in a temple. My home has been a tent ever since the time I brought Israel out of Egypt and I have never once complained. Have I ever asked, ‘Why haven’t you built me a beautiful cedar temple? ”
I’ve held communion services on the hood of a Humvee during deployments. It wasn’t ideal but...it’s all I could manage. God was there. Even so, when I got back in garrison I wasn’t content to be that rustic. The base chapel was a welcome sight. After all, a beautiful church honors our God and makes worship so much more meaningful, right?
But...God doesn’t live there.
A house for God was not God’s idea...it was David’s. God actually prefers a more nomadic lifestyle. He told David...”I go where you go!” As believers, God is always in us. He is not in a building...unless we are there and...then the building is mere coincidence. Now, God has nothing against churches. In fact, he reminded David...your successor “shall build a house for My name.” Notice, God doesn’t say He will live there. He only says it will have his name on it. Church buildings are utilitarian. They serve as a place where the true dwelling place of God, our spirits, can gather to worship. We can put God’s name on our churches but we will never be able to put God In them
Even so, “Houses of God” are important reminders that God wants to dwell with us. Yet, God...by His very nature...is not content to dwell in beautiful edifices designed to honor Him. He has not changed. He prefers to be with, and in, His people.
The question is evident; does my life have God’s name on it? Is my life a constant reminder to others of God’s desire to dwell with us?
Live boldly out there today...
