by Ken Yonish
“Thus saith the Lord, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? And where is the place of my rest?” Isaiah 66:1 KJV. Isaiah knew firsthand just how awesome and great the Lord was when he saw a glimpse of His majesty and beauty. He was so overwhelmed in His presence that he said, “Woe is me! For I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts”. Isaiah 6:5 KJV. The angels cried, “holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Hosts and the whole earth is filled with His Glory”! Isaiah 6:3 KJV.
So where is the house that is built for the creator of the universe?
When Solomon constructed the temple in Jerusalem he used the finest gold and precious metals of the day. He brought in cedar from Lebanon, incorporated assistance from other nations and over 150,000 men to work on its construction for twenty years. Solomon said, “…the house which I build is great: for great is our God above all gods. But who is able to build him a house, seeing the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain him? Who am I then, that I should build him a house, save only to burn sacrifice before him?” 2 Chronicles 2:5-6. When the temple was completed Solomon brought the Ark of the Covenant containing the tablets with the Ten Commandments God to Moses and the children of Israel when they came out of Egypt. At that time all the people of Israel gathered with the Priests and the musicians and the singers….
Musicians and singers? Yes, that right…musicians and singers.
“It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the Lord; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and praised the Lord, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endures for ever: that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the Lord; So that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the Lord had filled the house of God.” 2 Chronicles 5:14.
The presence of the LORD filled the temple that day. Was it because of the finest gold, silver and other precious metals used in the construction of the temple? Was it the cedar of Lebanon that framed the temple? Was it the talented and skilled craftsmen carving out the beautiful wood works?
Let’s take a closer look.
“It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the Lord. They were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD.”
They were gathered together with purpose. That purpose was to offer praise and thanksgiving. But it started with unity. They were as one the Bible says.
What does the Psalmist say?
“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity. It is like the precious ointment upon the head that ran down upon the beard even Aaron’s beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; as the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.” Psalms 133:1-3.
What is life for evermore? It is the promise of the presence of God in our midst. It is the promise to every member of the church from the smallest to the greatest. We all have an active role in dwelling together in unity and offering praise and thanksgiving to God and we all benefit as a result.
But where is God’s temple?
The Apostle Paul told the Ephesians, “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.” Ephesians 2:19-22.
We are the temple. We are His Holy Habitation with Jesus Christ himself being the Chief Cornerstone. We are fitly framed together in unity.
This is where God dwells.
“For the Lord hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation. This is my rest for ever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it. I will abundantly bless her provision: I will satisfy her poor with bread. I will also clothe her priests with salvation: and her saints shall shout aloud for joy. There will I make the horn of David to bud: I have ordained a lamp for mine anointed. His enemies will I clothe with shame: but upon himself shall his crown flourish”. Psalms 132:13-18.
Think about that the next time you gather to worship. It’s not just another song service or another song from the songbook. It’s not just another choir singing another song. It is an invitation of praise sent to the throne of God inviting Him to come and saturate our lives. He inhabits those praises and then commands the blessing.
His presence. For evermore.