The Inside of the House

1 Kings 5-6

November 12, 2014

I never want to be guilty of spiritualizing a text of the Scripture. However, there do seem to be times when the explicit meaning of the text has implicit implications for us. Perhaps that is so in what caught my attention today. Chapter 6 is nothing more than a detailed description of the building of the Temple, the house of the Lord. But what caught my eye was the emphasis on the inside of the house. Over and over we are told what Solomon did with the inside or the inner sanctuary within the house (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20,21, 22, 23, 27, 29, 31, 36). Much care and attention was given to the inner portion of the house.

Metaphorically this is a picture of what God is doing today in His house, which is our bodies the temples of the Holy Spirit and the church of the Living God (1 Cor 6:19; 3:16; 2 Cor 6:16; Eph 2:21). God concentrates His work in molding us in the image of Jesus Christ on our inner being. Paul prayed, “that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being” (Eph 3:16). He also encouraged us in suffering, “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day” (2 Cor 4:16). God is transforming us and conforming us to the image of Christ in our innermost being. We may look the same on the outside, but inside He is doing His gracious work.

Prayer: Father, thank you that you have predestined us to be conformed to the image of your Son. Thank you that in your grace, mercy and love you are faithfully building your house into the building you want. Father, help us to recognize that the process may be painful at times, but that you are renewing us day by day. And, Father, I pray for my brothers that they will be strengthened with power through your Spirit in their innermost beings.