God's Aboveness and Closeness

This week I have been caught up with the transcendence of God. This was inspired in large part by my daily Bible readings taking me through the account of the building of Solomon’s Temple in 2 Chronicles. One verse struck me the most: “But will God indeed dwell with man on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you, how much less this house that I have built!” (2 Chronicles 6:18). I love the juxtaposition that this verse creates. Solomon creates a Temple for the Lord but then wonders out loud if God can actually dwell in it. He recognizes that he has created this house for God, but in all reality the God that he created it for cannot be contained in it.

The incredible thing to me is that God does indeed dwell with man on the earth! Even though He is so great that He is greater than the heavens, He does make His dwelling place among people. He did it in the Tabernacle while Israel was in the wilderness, then He inhabited this Temple built by Solomon, and now He dwells in the midst of the Church. Only a God as transcendent as ours could make Himself immanent and personal. He walked among the people of Israel (Lev. 26:12), He walked among people as Jesus Christ (John 1:14), and now the Church is the Temple of the Living God (2 Cor. 6:16).

Then, where this really hits home, is that this same God that Solomon writes of, regards me individually. I am known by Him intimately, personally, and relationally. This is the truth that I cannot hope to every truly comprehend. The one, true, powerful, mighty, glorious, and gracious God of the universe knows and loves Dustin Smetona. May that truth never lose its power!

I pray that you would know God's greatness, how high above you He is. I also pray that you would know His nearness and His great compassion that He pours out on sinners like us! Blessings to you in Christ Jesus!