Have you had moments when you thought God should be proud of
you? May be when you made a great sacrifice to help another person. Or you took
a stance for what was right. Perhaps you felt God’s delight for your diligence
in obeying Him. King Solomon had at least one such moment. He had built
something grand – a temple for God, like never before. It was an exciting time
for the Israelites. God doesn’t have to dwell in a tent anymore; He would live among
them in this magnificent building. At least that’s what Solomon thought.
Standing before this great structure which God had chosen Solomon to build, He
proclaimed, “I have built you an exalted house, a place for you to dwell in
forever” (2 Chronicles 9:2). Perhaps he was thinking to himself, “You must be
proud of me, God!”
Well, he didn’t dwell on that thought for too long. As his
proclamation progressed, his attitude changed. This wise king knelt in front of
all his subjects. He knew he was talking to the God of heaven. He even changed
his mind about God living in the temple he built. “But will God indeed dwell
with man on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain
you, how much less this house that I have built!” (2 Chronicles 9:18)
Ah, how true! As we come before God and look at Him more, we
discover that our best efforts don’t measure up to His greatness and majesty.
May we say like John the Baptist: “He must increase, but I must decrease.” (John
3:30)
