Psalms 132:6-7. Lo, we heard of it at Ephratah: we found it in the fields of the wood, We will go into his tabernacles: we will worship at his footstool.
This is what David did, and you see what trouble he took in the matter; but you know that he was not permitted to build a house for God. Yet he had the same reward as if he had done so, for God built up his house, and established his dynasty for many generations. God often takes the will for the deed with his servants; and when they wish to do a good work, and there is some reason why they may not carry out their plans, the Lord looks upon them, and gives them the same reward as if they had accomplished their design. After all, dear friends, David's wish to build a house for God, although it was very right and proper in itself, yet, in the sight of God, was but a small matter. He took little account of Solomon’s Temple, though it was "exceeding magnifical" You remember how Stephen said, just as a sort of passing remark of no great importance, "Solomon built him an house. Howbeit, the Most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands." And it is a very curious fact in history that, from the very day in which the great Temple was dedicated, spiritual religion began to decline in the land. God’s worship was never more pure than when it was rendered in a tent in a humble way, but, as soon as the great gilded Temple was erected, and priestly pomp began to display itself, it seemed as if men began to depart from the spiritual worship of Jehovah. How often it is that, the more gorgeous the ceremonial, the less hearty and the less spiritual the worship becomes! Our great and glorious God, who fills heaven and earth, takes small account of noble architecture and earthly pomp and splendor, or of the sweetness of tousle, or the fumes of incense. He is far above all that is merely sensual; but he delights to dwell where there are broken hearts that he can bind up, and where genuine believers worship him in spirit and in truth.
Psalms 132:6-7. Lo, we heard of it at Ephratah: we found it in the fields of the wood, We will go into his tabernacles: we will worship at his footstool.
This is what David did, and you see what trouble he took in the matter; but you know that he was not permitted to build a house for God. Yet he had the same reward as if he had done so, for God built up his house, and established his dynasty for many generations. God often takes the will for the deed with his servants; and when they wish to do a good work, and there is some reason why they may not carry out their plans, the Lord looks upon them, and gives them the same reward as if they had accomplished their design. After all, dear friends, David's wish to build a house for God, although it was very right and proper in itself, yet, in the sight of God, was but a small matter. He took little account of Solomon’s Temple, though it was "exceeding magnifical" You remember how Stephen said, just as a sort of passing remark of no great importance, "Solomon built him an house. Howbeit, the Most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands." And it is a very curious fact in history that, from the very day in which the great Temple was dedicated, spiritual religion began to decline in the land. God’s worship was never more pure than when it was rendered in a tent in a humble way, but, as soon as the great gilded Temple was erected, and priestly pomp began to display itself, it seemed as if men began to depart from the spiritual worship of Jehovah. How often it is that, the more gorgeous the ceremonial, the less hearty and the less spiritual the worship becomes! Our great and glorious God, who fills heaven and earth, takes small account of noble architecture and earthly pomp and splendor, or of the sweetness of tousle, or the fumes of incense. He is far above all that is merely sensual; but he delights to dwell where there are broken hearts that he can bind up, and where genuine believers worship him in spirit and in truth.