How long did it usually take to build a church? Which church building in history took the longest time to build? St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome commissioned by Emperor Constantine took 144 years to build. The construction of Sagrada Familia in Barcelona designed by famous architect Gaudi of Spain started in 1882 and is expected to be completed in 2026 – 100 years after Gaudi died.
In the Bible, 1 Kings 6 recorded that 480 years after the Israelites left Egypt and 4 years after Solomon became king, he began building the temple of the Lord. It was a magnificent temple that took 7 years to build during a time when “there was neither hammer nor axe nor any iron tool heard in the house while it was being built.” (v.7) It was built with uncut stone straight from the quarry (a large deep pit where stones are extracted), cedars from Lebanon and the entire inside of the temple overlaid with gold. (v.21-22) It was a great feat which Solomon did for the Lord. How did God respond to Solomon’s accomplishment?
11 Now the word of the Lord came to Solomon saying, 12 “Concerning this house which you are building, if you will walk in My statutes and execute My ordinances and keep all My commandments by walking in them, then I will carry out My word with you which I spoke to David your father. 13 I will dwell among the sons of Israel, and will not forsake My people Israel.”
God did not say ‘Good job! Well done! That is a wonderful temple. You will be greatly rewarded.’ Instead God surprisingly gave Solomon a conditional promise: About this house which you are building for me to stay in, ‘IF’ you will 1) walk in My statues, 2) execute my ordinances 3) Keep all My commandments by 4) walking in them, THEN 1) I will keep my promise to your father David 2) I will be with the sons of Israel 3) I will not leave or abandon my people Israel.
All the IFs the Lord specified equate to just one simple word: OBEY Me. Listen to what I tell you to do, and do what I tell you to do – Love me with all your heart, all your soul and all your might. (Deut 6:5) THEN I will be with you always.
What exactly did the Lord promise to King David? In 2 Samuel 7, David wanted to build God a temple. God said I have not dwelt in a house from the day I brought the Israelites up out of Egypt to this day. I have been moving from place to place with a tent as my dwelling. In all the years that I moved with you, have I ever asked your leaders to build me a house? (v.6-7) What else did God tell David? God will build for David a house that will last. He will establish David’s house by giving him a descendant to rule as king forever. (v.13,16)
The house that David offered and that Solomon built was magnificent but it was eventually destroyed. The house that God gave to David is one that endures forever. From the house of David came Mary – whom God appointed to bear His Son, Jesus. Jesus is king forevermore. Today, we live in houses that decay and depreciate. Our houses get worn down, by pests, by the weather elements, cabinet doors get unhinged. The cornice in our bathroom ceiling suddenly fell off from leaking roof, termites destroyed our door posts and floor boards, etc. All sorts of problems come with our earthly houses.
Only the one who dwells with God has an eternal home. As Moses wisely prayed: Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. Psalm 90
God promised King Solomon that IF His people walk in His statutes, if they keep his commandments, if they obey and do as He says, THEN He will be present in their midst.
Where is your home, my friend? Is God present in your heart? Does your heart have a place for him to stay? On what do you put your security in this world? God is waiting for you to come home – to know him and find true security in him. Make him your eternal home. Let Him dwell in your heart and be with you always. Accept Jesus as your Savior and Lord. Obey His commandment – to Love God with all your heart, all your soul and all your strength. God said IF you love me and obey me, I will be with you and I will never leave you. Jesus said Come to me all you who are heavily ladened, I will give you rest.
Find rest in God’s Presence – the dwelling place that lasts on earth as it is in heaven! It is here and now, God in me and I in God by the blood of Jesus and power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
