A Temple to Live In

“Are you the one to build me a temple to live in?” 2 Samuel 7:5

Sometimes we think we have this brilliant idea, but it’s not at all what God wants. King David was struck with a guilty conscience when he realized he was living in a beautiful cedar palace and the Ark of the Covenant was housed in a tent. He decided to build a temple for the Ark. 

This Ark of the Covenant or Ark of Testimony is described in the Book of Exodus. It is a gold covered acacia chest containing Moses’ two stone tablets with the Ten Commandments, the rod of Aaron and some manna. It symbolized the presence of God among the Jews, and was made according to God’s instructions in Exodus 25. 

But God did not want a temple built. 

Since the time of David a great many amazing cathedrals, basilicas and churches have been built for God. There is the majestic Saint Peter’s Basilica, the Cologne Cathedral, Notre Dame de Paris, Chartres, Sagrada Familia, Santiago de Compostela, etc. But one wonders if God would not rather be pleased with a little thatched hut in a barrio if it was filled with worshippers singing beautiful songs raised in praise to Him. Many of the beautiful churches in Europe are full of tourists taking pictures. Not many people take the time to pray, or think about the God who gave the magnificent gifts to the architects, sculptors, painters, stonemasons who fashioned these beautiful buildings. 

No, God did not want David to build Him a temple. Instead He told David that He will be the one to establish a house for him, “Your house and your kingdom shall endure forever before me; your throne shall stand firm forever.” We too can be part of that house, that kingdom that shall endure forever. God does not want an awesome cathedral to live in, but to live in our hearts. Is He comfortable there or is it too cluttered with other things there is no room for the King of Kings?