King David was living in a palace. God’s “dwelling place” was a tent. There was something that was not quite right with that picture. David decided to build a great temple for God, but God said, “No.” He directed David to give the building assignment to his son, Solomon. Today’s passage takes place on the day that Solomon dedicated this great temple.

Solomon began his prayer of dedication by saying, “O Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like you, in heaven above or on earth beneath, keeping covenant and showing steadfast love to your servants who walk before you with all their heart” (1 Kings 8:23). Then Solomon asked this question:

1 Kings 8:27-29
But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you; how much less this house that I have built! Yet have regard to the prayer of your servant and to his plea, O Lord my God, listening to the cry and to the prayer that your servant prays before you this day, that your eyes may be open night and day toward this house, the place of which you have said, ‘My name shall be there,’ that you may listen to the prayer that your servant offers toward this place.

The Hebrew word Hashem is translated as “The Name.” A name represents who a person is and what they do. The heavens and earth cannot contain God, yet for his people, he provided a physical place to come and worship him. Today, God’s Spirit resides in every believer. Remember Solomon’s question: “But will God indeed dwell on the earth?” The answer is, “Yes!” God the Son came to this earth and lived among us. When Jesus left, he sent his Spirit to live in every believer. We are the living, breathing temple of God. Let that sink in—you are the temple of the living God.

Heavenly Father,
You are my God. You are omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscient. There is no name besides you. Your Son’s name is above every name. And one day, every knee will bow, and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord. Until then, help me represent you well during my days on this earth. In Jesus’ name. Amen.