“A Privilege to Serve the Living God”

Tuesday, July 15, 2025

BIBLE READING: 2 Chronicles 1-9

‘The house that I am to build will be great, for our God is greater than all gods. But who is able to build him a house, since heaven, even highest heaven, cannot contain him? Who am I to build a house for him, except as a place to make offerings before him?’ (2 Chronicles 2.5-6)

Solomon was given a historic and significant charge: to build a house for God to dwell among his people (1 Chronicles 22.5; 28.11-ff). His father David made all the necessary financial and organizational preparations so that this structure would ‘be exceedingly magnificent, of fame and glory throughout all lands’ (1 Chronicles 22.5). Solomon understood this structure would represent the greatness of God, who is ‘greater than all gods’ (2 Chronicles 2.5). So ‘Solomon purposed to build a temple for the name of the LORD’ (2 Chronicles 2.1).

He used the best materials: gold and silver, cedar, iron, purple, crimson and blue fabrics. Even the nails were made of gold (2 Chronicles 3.9)! He hired the most skilled workers to craft, sculpt and construct even the smallest of details of the temple. There was nothing too excessive, nothing too precious that he would withhold from this project. Solomon understood that to properly honor the glory of God, they must give their very best. What an instructive moment for God's people, even today! We do not have a physical temple to build, but rather, our bodies and the church represent the temple of the living God. We are chosen by and precious to God, living stones being built up into a spiritual house for God (1 Peter 2.4-5). How much more should be pure and holy, giving God our very best so that he can dwell among us?

But Solomon also understood his place before God in all this. Twice he would state his unworthiness to build temple (2 Chronicles 2.6; 6.18). Besides, this building alone could not capture the magnitude of God; in fact, even the highest heaven couldn’t contain him (2 Chronicles 2.6)! Sure, he could use the best materials and craftsman, but by himself the building would just be a place where offerings would be made. God is the one who made it special and magnificent, and Solomon had been called for this task to honor God in this way. And so, with great humility and care Solomon built the temple for YHWH, and afterwards he blessed YHWH, the great God for giving him both the ability and purpose to serve him (2 Chronicles 6.10).

Here's the point: The greatest efforts we perform are limited and meaningless without God and his approval. Even those who are called to tasks of great magnitude impacting people on a mass scale are stewards of God’s great glory. We must not think ourselves great because we have been called to something great. We must think ourselves blessed and constrained with purpose because God has called us. It is a privilege to serve the living God and make him known; and it is a profound blessing to have the attention of YHWH when we walk with him in humble obedience (2 Chronicles 6.18-19). And so let us be thankful and humble before God who endows us with resources and opportunity to serve in meaningful ways.  

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