For about seven months my wife and our two boys lived with my parents while I worked a new job. We had to move here suddenly and had little time to look for a house. While getting settled in, our previous house sold, and we were on the search for another house. The reason it took seven months is that we could not find a good house in our budget in the area because of an inflated housing market. Or it was because God had something else ready for us. Either way, we kept searching...
We expanded our search to surrounding cities and found a couple of homes we thought would work well for our growing family. In fact, the first house we visited would become our house. However, we saw several we were interested in.
This was a big decision to make. The house we were most attracted to was also at the top of our price range. It is a big commitment, one which we did not want to take lightly. We decided to consult our friend, the Holy Spirit. He is a wise counselor we have come to trust and increasingly understand. And quite frankly, we don't know what the future holds for our family.
We were traveling to a family get together that was out of town. On our way, I asked my wife if we could go ahead and consult with God. She agreed, and so as I drove, we said a quick prayer. My wife opened her bible and was led to 1 Kings 9:2-9.
As we read these verses, we understood the Spirit to say in our spirits, "yes, buy that house. It will be used to build faith in your children and others."
Part of the Temple's purpose was to provide a permanent place of worship for the followers of YHWH. I wonder if this is our permanent home. It provided a way for His people to commune with Him. It was there to bless the followers of Jah with His presence. It was God's way of blessing his children with all the gifts of the Spirit. This place I am now writing from - it has hosted many significant conversations that focus and teach about God - and not by force. Many times have my children been made aware of His presence... such as when my young son prayed a prayer that was immediately answered.
I did not realize it until now that God had this planned for us before we ever stepped foot in this town. Before leaving my old job, He used a verse earlier in the Bible (when God was talking to David about building a temple) to tell us to leave our current home and job in favor of working and living where we now reside.
Update 7/18/2023
Season's later, God is still directing our efforts with the commission to "Build Faith in People"
At the beginning of this summer, my wife and I were moved to start a home church. With the blessing of fellow members of the Greater Body of Christ, we are in the process of starting this venture. I did not know this is where this would lead, but God has other plans. Neither of us feel equipped to complete such a task - but we both trust God in the efforts and will see where it all leads.