King David had a good and honorable plan; he wanted to build a Temple to place the Ark of God and to honor God. The prophet Nathan told the king that the Lord was with him and to do what was on his mind. That same night God told Nathan in a vision that His will was NOT for David to carry out his plan. (2 Samuel 7:1-17). King David’s heart was to do something good, yet it did not line up with God’s plan. A temple would be built; however, not at that time, and not by him! By God's command, Solomon would build the temple. Solomon shared with King Hiram that it was now time to build the Temple as God had promised King David (1 Kings 5:3-5). It is a good thing to prepare and make plans. Yet, we must be willing to adjust or even abandon our plans to line up with God’s plans as David did. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take." We may not always understand but we must trust and know that God's plans are for our good. Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”

God gave Solomon the task of building the Temple that his father, David, had desired to build. It was a huge task – one that David knew would be a great challenge for young Solomon to complete. David prayed for his son’s success, and reminded him that he could only be successful by obeying God’s plan and serving Him faithfully (1 Chronicles 22:11-12). Solomon did complete the work that he began. 1 Kings 9:1 says, “So Solomon finished building the Temple of the Lord, as well as the royal palace. He completed everything he had planned to do.” How many times have we started something only to soon lose interest and not finish it? It can be fun and exciting to begin a new task. Often though, once the initial excitement fades, it becomes difficult to stick with it to the finish. Jesus knew it was important to not only start, but also to complete the work that God gave Him. In John 17:4, “I brought glory to you here on earth by completing the work you gave me to do.” Yes, Jesus completed God’s plan, even when it meant suffering and dying on the cross. Jesus knew that God would not receive glory for a job half done! that We must be thankful that Jesus loved us enough not to just start but to finish the work He came to earth to do! Another time, Jesus told His disciples, "My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work.”(John 4:34). Jesus gave us an example to follow; we must not only start a job, we must finish it!

No, God cannot be contained.. God's presence is limitless! He is present everywhere at all times (omnipresent). At the dedication of the Temple of the Lord, King Solomon declared, "But will God really live on earth? Why, even the highest heavens cannot contain you. How much less this Temple I have built!”(1 Kings 8:27). Yes, the Almighty God whom we serve made the world and everything in it. He is Lord of heaven and earth; he doesn't live in man-made temples (Acts 17:24). During the dedication of the Temple, God’s presence came in a thick cloud that filled the Temple. The glory of God’s presence was too much for the priests, and they could no longer continue their service (1 Kings 8:10-11). Yet, our glorious God who fills both heaven and earth chooses to live inside all who are have hearts that are humble, broken, and open to Him (Isaiah 57:15). Whatever we can think or imagine about God's presence is too small, and too limited! We cannot go anywhere that God isn't already there. “Can anyone hide from me in a secret place? Am I not everywhere in all the heavens and earth?" says the LORD (Jeremiah 23:24). God cannot be contained, heaven and earth are filled with His presence and glory!

The task of building the Temple for God was too much for one man; or even an entire nation! To complete this huge project, cooperation was needed from thousands of people. Even though God would not allow King David to actually build the Temple, he cooperated by gathering material and supplies for his son, Solomon (1 Chronicles 22:5). God filled King Solomon with wisdom to direct and supervise the work through thousands of people. Solomon made an agreement with King Hiram, a loyal friend of King David, of the neighboring country of Tyre. This king did not serve God, however, both king’s workers successfully labored side by side. King Solomon had well over 150,000 workers who joined with King Hiram’s workers over many years to construct the Temple! What an amazing accomplishment and example of cooperation! (1 Kings 5:1-18). The Apostle Paul wrote in one of his letters, “Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.” (Philippians 2:2). Yes, whether the task or project is large or small, working in cooperation and agreement with others is as important today as it was in Solomon’s day. In 1 Corinthians 3:8, Paul talks about believers working in harmony together to accomplish God’s work. “The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose. And both will be rewarded for their own hard work. For we are both God’s workers.” Remember, we are God’s workers and it is His will that we cooperate with others to complete His purpose on this earth.

King David was forbidden by God to build the Temple. However, God made a promise to him that Solomon would sit on his throne and build the Temple. Solomon praised God in front of all of the people of his kingdom at the Temple dedication for keeping His promise that He had made to King David. Solomon also reminded the people of the tablets that were contained in the Ark. The tablets contained the covenant or promises that the Lord made with their ancestors that God brought out of Egypt. (1 Kings 8:20-21). The Bible is filled with God’s promises to His people – that includes us! We can trust God because He is faithful to do everything He has spoken. Psalm 145:13 says, "For your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom. You rule throughout all generations. The LORD always keeps his promises; he is gracious in all he does.”