An event has happened again in my ministerial life that made me to put this piece down as a source of assurance and encouragement for every believer to know that God's plan supercedes every man's plan no matter what.
For over 30 years of my ministerial life and by the grace of God, I have come to realize that somehow somehow, I will find myself being in a position to build for the Lord. At first, it appeared like oh why me always, Lord have mercy on my ignorance, even as I continued to see how I have pioneered many of our churches from beginning but one day I realized that building for the Lord is a rare privilege hence I am publicly saying thank you Jesus for finding me worthy to build for you.
1 Chronicles 22:7-11 records
And David said to 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 an house unto my name, because thou hast shed much blood upon the earth in my sight.
Behold, a son shall be born to thee, who shall be a man of rest; and I will give him rest from all his enemies round about: for his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quietness unto Israel in his days.
He shall build an house for my name; and he shall be my son, and I will be his father; and I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel for ever.
Now, my son, the LORD be with thee; and prosper thou, and build the house of the LORD thy God, as he hath said of thee.
David had everything to build for the Lord, a temple, he desired to do so but the Lord said to David, no you cannot build a house for me. What a lesson. Did the Lord desire the temple to be built, absolutely, but not David, it must be someone else! Infact someone yet unborn.
Little wonder, the Bible says of Jeremiah in Jerimiah 1:5, before I formed thee in thy mother's womb, I know thee.
Can one really build a house for the Lord?
Building a house for God is a metaphorical and theological concept, explored in various religious traditions. Here's a brief overview:
1. Old Testament: God instructed Moses to build the Tabernacle (Exodus 25-31, 35-40) and later, King Solomon built the Temple in Jerusalem (1 Kings 5-8).
2. New Testament: Jesus teaches that God doesn't dwell in temples made by human hands (Acts 7:48-50, 17:24-25).
3. 1 Corinthians 3:16, 6:19-20: Believers' bodies are considered temples of the Holy Spirit.
There ate also so Theological Insights as to God's temple.
1. God's presence is omnipresent, not confined to physical structures.
2. Building a house for God symbolizes:
- Worship and reverence.
- Community gathering and fellowship.
- Service and ministry.
- Dedication and consecration.
Here are some Modern Applications:
1. Church buildings: Serve as gathering spaces for worship, community, and service.
2. Personal devotion: Individuals can dedicate their lives, hearts, and homes as "houses" for God.
3. Spiritual growth: Building a personal relationship with God through prayer, study, and obedience.
The focal aspect of this study today is the fact that God himself chooses who to build for him a temple or a house not man.
There are today, many preachers of the Gospel, general Overseers with very large congregations with enough money to build magnificent temples yet they cannot build.
Psalms 127:1 says Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.
So no one can build a house for the Lord by himself except the Lord enables him and gives him the very rare privilege to do so. For David, it was a no no but for Solomon it was a yes yes.
God is not lacking men to build for Him. He has everything. He is a loving father who wants to bless his children through giving them opportunity to build for Him. God says in
Haggai 2:8 The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the LORD of hosts.
God, tells us in
Psalms 50:12 If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world is mine, and the fulness thereof.
Have you not read
Psalms 24:1
The earth is the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.
So it is indeed a very rare privilege to build for the Lord.
Has the Lord chosen you to build for him, praise God, you are indeed the Solomon of our time. Do it without complaining and see God's hand in action.
You are indeed the Nehemiah of our days who knows and realize the great importance of building for the Lord. Nehemiah said
Nehemiah 2:20
Then answered I them, and said unto them, The God of heaven, he will prosper us; therefore we his servants will arise and build: but ye have no portion, nor right, nor memorial, in Jerusalem.
Let's us always remember, the the highest of all temples, is the temple of God which our body is.
You are not Born Again, God is waiting to dwell richly in you. Invite him into your life today, receive him, ask him to come and be your Lord and personal saviour. Jesus says in
Revelation 3:20
Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
