The Dedication of the Temple
When Solomon finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the Lord filled the temple. The priests could not enter the temple of the Lord because the glory of the Lord filled it. When all the Israelites saw the fire coming down and the glory of the Lord above the temple, they knelt on the pavement with their faces to the ground, and they worshiped and gave thanks to the Lord, saying,
“He is good;
his love endures forever.”
From DSC:
For the last ~3 years, I’ve been a part of a church plant (it officially started on 10/10/10). We’ve been meeting in a public school — almost a miracle in itself these days — and it’s been a beneficial situation for all involved parties.
Also, many college students come there as well as young families and people of all ages and backgrounds. We’ve grown to the point where we needed a more permanent home. So we’ve been looking for a while now…
The story behind the building that we recently purchased is an amazing story of patience and goodness — but also confusion. I won’t go into it all, but I’m quite certain that the building we’re about to move into (the LORD willing) doesn’t look anything like the temple that Solomon built for the LORD. I can say that with some confidence because the building that we purchased is a former fitness facility — plus it has offices that were designed for remote employees/mobile workers to come on in and use for a few hours/days at a time.
When I first heard we were looking at this building, I didn’t care for it. Several of the buildings around it had closed up shop and they have stayed closed since leaving the area. The business itself appeared to be like one of those restaurants in your home town that constantly changes hands — i.e. one that never seems to quite make it.
But the LORD was patient with us and we were patient with Him. He worked it out so that we could not only afford the building but also bring on an additional staff member in the meantime.
Having an open house the other night reminded me that the possibilities are numerous with this new building. I look forward to see what the LORD has in mind for us there. I’m thankful for the LORD — for His patience with me, His extended grace to me and others, and His being active in our lives. I’m thankful for what He has done, what He’s doing, and what He will do in the future.
At the end of the day, I’m left with the same words that the Israelites were:
“He is good;
his love endures forever.”
