David longed to build a temple
for the Lord, as he told Solomon. My son, as for me, it was in
my mind to build an house unto the name of the Lord my God.
But the word of the Lord came to me, saying, Thou hast shed blood abundantly,
and hast made great wars. Thou shalt not build a house
unto my name, because thou hast shed much blood upon the earth
in my sight." The Lord made David to be a man of war, and David
slew thousands of the enemies of God's people on various battlefields
during his life at the direct command of the Lord. Yet it pleased
the Lord to deny him the privilege of building this temple, essentially
for doing what the Lord told him to do and directed him in. Quite often men balk at the notion
that God chooses one vessel unto honor and another unto dishonor.
Yet the Lord has made it clear that He has the sovereign right
to do as He wills with that which belongs to Him. Who art thou
that replyest against God? Shall the thing formed say to
him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? Had not the
potter power over the clay of the same lump to make one vessel
unto honour, and another unto dishonour? While David was an
instrument in the hand of God to display judgment upon the
enemies of God, the Lord would manifest that the building of
his house and the establishment of his kingdom would be done
by a man of peace, which is what the name of Solomon means. So
the Lord Jesus Christ has come not to condemn but to redeem. The government is upon the shoulders
of the one who is called Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, the
Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. The builder of the
Lord's house was young and tender. Nothing about the coming of the
son of David made him appear to be the one who would be the
king and consolation of Israel. He came clothed in what appeared
to men to be weakness. He is despised and rejected of
men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. He was despised and
we esteemed him not. The earthly temple which Solomon
constructed was indeed the most opulent and magnificent edifice
of its time. Yet that true tabernacle which
the Lord pitched, and not man, is far more magnificent than
any edifice ever raised by mortal men, since the one who occupies
its throne is such a high priest who is set on the right hand
of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens. Solomon was magnified
by the glory of the temple which he constructed. But that one
who is greater than Solomon is the glory of that house of which
he is the chief cornerstone. Time and words would fail us
to describe the wonders and beauty of this exceeding magnificent
house which the great and wise master builder has seen fit to
establish. Its glory exceeds that of the
sun, moon, and stars, and its breadth covers the earth, sea,
and sky. For the Ancient of Days has come
down from the glories of heaven to construct the house which
is a house of prayer for all people. It is indeed of fame
and of glory throughout all countries. even as John saw in his vision.
And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book,
and to open the seals thereof. For thou wast slain, and hast
redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue,
and people, and nation, and hast made us unto our God kings and
priests, and we shall reign on the earth. This is that house
against which the gates of hell cannot prevail, because it is
washed in the blood of Him who is the Great High Priest over
the house of God, having obtained eternal redemption for all who
are privileged to enter therein according to His everlasting
covenant. For the promise is unto you and to your children
and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our
God shall call. Before the foundation of the
world was ever laid, the Lord had prepared a house or kingdom
for His people, which He loved in Christ and elected as the
people of His choice. Wherefore, God is not ashamed
to be called their God, for he hath prepared for them a city.
The Lord prepared a people to enter this house with great desire. He hath prepared them, first
of all, by ordaining them to eternal life before the foundation
of the world. But then, secondly, he prepares
them by sending his Spirit to awaken them from the deadness
of sin, giving them life. No man can or shall desire a
dwelling place in the presence of the Lord except those he has
prepared for by this new birth. Have you been born again?