Hey Bible readers, I'm Tara Lee Cobble, and I'm your host for the Bible recap.

Today's reading had a lot of overlap in the story of dedicating the first temple, but

there are still new things to notice and learn about God.

So let's get to it.

There was one thing in chapter 6 that we've seen a few times before, and it always catches

my attention.

It's when David tells God that he wants to build the temple, and God says no, but he

also affirms David by saying, you did well that it was in your heart.

God says David has a good desire, but the answer is no.

Sometimes even good desires get a no.

But when that no comes, it's at least comforting to know that our hearts are completely off-track.

Good desires and God's no can coexist.

David is proof.

And we can rest assured that when God does say no, it's his kindest possible answer.

Today we also saw more reminders that God isn't confined to the temple.

In chapter 6 verses 26 through 27, Solomon says, if they pray toward this place and acknowledge

your name and turn from their sin, then hear in heaven and forgive.

Solomon says the people will pray to God toward the temple, and God will hear from heaven.

This also reinforces the fact that he's a different kind of God from all the other gods.

Those gods can only occupy one space, but God occupies all space.

He invented space.

He's omnipresent, always present, everywhere.

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