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Today, we're reading First Kings 8 through 10.

This is a large reading assignment, but it's packed with some beautiful moments, hard truths,

and questions you might have already bumped into.

Starting with Chapter 8, we've been building up to this moment for a while now.

Solomon has completed the temple. Remember, David wanted to do this, but God said, nope, your

son's going to do it. And here we are, it's time to dedicate the temple. And it's glorious.

First Kings 8, 10 through 11 reads,

When the priests came out of the holy place, a cloud filled the house of the Lord, for the glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord. This cloud is no ordinary fog machine moment. This is

the chakina glory of God, his very presence visibly showing up.

Now, here's a question you might ask. Why would God choose to dwell in a building? Isn't God

everywhere? Well, great question. And Solomon answers it himself in verse 27. But will God indeed dwell on the earth?

Behold, look, heaven in the highest heaven cannot contain you. How much less this house that I have built.

You see, Solomon knows God isn't confined to the temple, but the temple is a symbol, a reminder that God chooses to dwell

with his people. It's relational, not spatial. John Piper said that the temple was a pointer, a parable,

a temporary symbol of God's desire to be with his people ultimately fulfilled in Jesus, as Jesus is the better temple.

Now make no mistake, God's presence did in fact dwell in the temple in this moment,

but God did not need to be dwelling in the temple. He chose to. And after this dedication,

Solomon launches into a long prayer, verses 22 through 53. And if you're a

prayer journal person, if you like to journal your prayers, I mean, this is gold. He prays for future

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