grace

“But will God really dwell on earth with men?” – 2 Chronicles 6:18a (NIV)

When Solomon’s majestic temple was finally built, it seems as though he started to second-guess the validity of the concept of a “temple”. Indeed, it was supposed to be God’s dwelling place. But why would a God who cannot be contained by the highest heavens allow himself to be constrained by the limits of a temple? To call it his resting place?

Although it seems to be nothing short of a miracle that God would choose the temple as the place to put his Name, at least it was a place that, for most of its history, was a place devoted to God. The greater miracle is announced by Paul in 1 Corinthians 3:16. “Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you?” Our hearts, with all their stray thoughts and dark corners, are God’s chosen place to dwell. What makes him choose to inhabit such an inhospitable place?

Solomon doesn’t answer this question in his prayer, nor is it logically answered anywhere in the Bible. In fact, it is one of the great mysteries that an infinite God should choose to inhabit the hearts of finite beings, dusty from their constant desire to roll in the dirt of life. The only plausible reason is that “the Lord is gracious and compassionate.” His compassion is overwhelming, and when we accept it, his grace pervades our being as he chooses to dwell in us.

I have heard people often complain about the lack of miracles in today’s world. But how amazing is it that God really does choose to dwell on earth with us? Because of his grace and compassion, Him who the highest heavens cannot contain chooses to dwell in you.