Temple of the Holy Spirit

Then he set up the pillars by the vestibule of the temple; he set up the pillar on the right and called its name Jachin, and he set up the pillar on the left and called its name Boaz. 1 Kings 7:21

As believers, we are the temple of God and the Spirit of God dwells in us (1 Cor. 3:16). What kind of a temple does God want us to be in His kingdom? We can have a clue of that from the composition of Solomon’s temple.

First of all, Solomon’s temple speaks of purity. The whole building was characterized by its great length. The Holy Place alone was 40 cubits long (1 Kin. 6:17). The number “40″ in the Bible speaks of “purging by fiery trials.” Moses spent 40 years in the backside of the desert. The Israelites spent 40 years going round and round the wilderness. Jesus spent 40 days in the wilderness learning to overcome the temptations of the devil. Maybe as you read this devotion today, you are going through some challenging situations in your life. Be encouraged to know that the fiery trials are sent your way to purge and equip you so that you will be able to enter into your “new building” with God’s blessing.

Secondly, Solomon’s temple speaks of perfection. The Holy of Holies was 20 cubits in length, breadth and height (6:20). Twenty was the age when an Israelite was deemed mature or “perfect enough” to join the army. God wants you to grow up into the spiritual maturity of perfection. The Bible says that the purpose of the ministry gifts is “for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ” (Eph. 4:12-13).

Thirdly, Solomon’s temple had strong pillars. The pillars on the right and left had significant names (1 Kin. 7:21). “Jachin” means “God shall establish” and “Boaz” means “in God is strength.” The whole temple was supported not by brick and mortar but by the Lord Himself. Our lives should not be any different. Jesus Christ is our foundational pillar.

Finally, Solomon’s temple was made of pure gold. It cost billions of dollars to build because it was covered within and without with pure gold. God wants your inner life and outward ministry to be gloriously full of His presence and power.