2 Chronicles 7.15-16

My eyes will be open and my ears attentive to every prayer made in this place. For I have chosen this Temple and set it apart to be holy—a place where my name will be honored forever. I will always watch over it, for it is dear to my heart. [2 Chronicles 7.15-16]

While much attention is given to the two verses preceding these in 2 Chronicles 7, these two verses are just as important to consider and meditate on.

The context of 2 Chronicles 7.14 is the dedication of the Temple built by Solomon. It has everything to do with what takes place relative to the new Temple.

The Temple was place "for God to dwell" on earth. But that did not stay the same.

Jesus made a revealing statement in the New Testament:

“All right,” Jesus replied. “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” [John 2.19]

Here we are given the revelation that, with the Advent of Jesus, God's chosen dwelling place was about to change. God was about to "move." The arrangements were being made so God could take up residence in a new and exciting place - His human beings who would cooperate in cleansing faith.

But now back to 2 Chronicles... God's chosen place to dwell is to be a holy place - set apart - a place where God's name will be honored forever! It is a special place to God - one He promised to always watch over.

This is good and exciting news!

But... so... Why do we not see God's glory in the temples of our bodies today? Why do we not see the power of His presence as Jesus demonstrated? There is only one possible and scriptural explanation: we do not have the Spirit of the Living God within us!

It does not matter what we say when what we do tells the whole story clearly. If we do not "live" the power of God, then God is not there. I am sorry. I am sorry for myself and for all.

But I have determined that it will not stop with "sorry." I am striving every day to see the glory and power of God operate in and through my life (like Jesus). It is requiring a lot of repentance. And, that repentance leads to more repentance - that's how it works. Holiness is what God calls it - not what I am comfortable with. If God's presence does not manifest in my life, then it is because I have not, by faith, allowed Jesus to occupy my life (because I cannot be perfect, but Jesus IS!).

It is important to understand that all the excessive sacrifices Solomon made at this dedication of the Temple, particularly the burnt offerings, is all the evidence we need to understand that repentance is necessary for the dedication of "our" temples. It is repentance that ushers in God's Kingdom in our lives. We MUST remember that Jesus initiated His earthly ministry with these words: 

From then on Jesus began to preach, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.” [Matthew 4.17]

If Jesus said repentance is necessary, then what business do any of us have negating that? I know everyone wants some "positivity" but positivity does not cancel the need for repentance! I know this: it is positively impossible to be unrepentant and be in God's presence. Jesus did not take away the need for repentance - He highlighted it!

We have to get this!! The Church's powerless condition today screams that something is wrong! We are more interested in looking like some other popular church than we are interested in looking like Jesus! Jesus healed the sick, raised the dead, fed thousands with practically nothing, walked on water, commanded storms to stop, and did it all as "Good News." And all we are interested in today is that our music program and sermon series are relevant and draw the people in!

God wants to dwell in His Temple - the human being! Everything that takes place on planet earth is God's work to dwell in His people. Think about it! We must repent in order to prepare our place for God to live and work! We must rely on the fact that Jesus paid the price for our sin, but that there is necessary repentance before faith in Christ can even work! Why? Because God does not dwell in an unholy place, and His works do not manifest where He is not!

Bottom line: we must repent and stay repentant. For God's power to return to His Church, there must be repentance - Jesus must be there - Jesus Who said, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.”

Father, forgive me for being so lazy about repentance. And, forgive me for being silent about it. Forgive Your Church for being so lazy about repentance, and, forgive Your Church for being so silent about it too.