I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.

“Though no one can build a house for Him because He inhabits the heavens and beyond, I am humbly building a place where we can encounter Him and burn incense before Him.” (2 Chronicles 2:6)

Solomon had a dream. It was the dream His father passed down to him and was affirmed by God. Most all the supplies that he needed were provided to Him to do this work. His dream was that him and the people would have a place where they could encounter God, pray to Him and know they were being heard by Him.

It was a place that contained the covenant chest, which contained evidence of God's provision (manna), direction (His very words), and proof of His sovereignty in leading His people. Over the covenant chest, were the protective wings of the cherubim. And upon the chest was a seat of mercy.

Ultimately, it was a place that so clearly represented His goodness and closeness to the people.

The desire of Solomon and His Father they shared with God. After the priests offered incense, prayers and sacrifices, they joined the Israelites while the Levitical choir worshiped and sang, “He is good! His loyal love will continue for ever.” As they did, the temple was filled with a cloud of glory.

The glory fell as the people were in one heart, singing of God's goodness and loyal covenantial love.

God opened the way for all to stand before Him and encounter Him in the place of goodness. This was His heart and original plan when Adam and Eve sinned in the garden. The original sin in the garden started with forgetting how good God was to them. The result was that they hid from Him in shame and fear. It created distance and mistrust that broke His heart.

Hebrews 9:12-15

“But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that are now already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made with human hands, that is to say, is not a part of this creation. He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption. The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!

For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.”

When we struggle with sin or have problems we can't manage, God desires that we come up close before Him, sit on his seat of mercy. He made provision for this by His blood so we would not need to hide ore be distant. As we sit on this seat of mercy and talk with Him up close, we are sitting right on the covenant He made with us. In it, is evidence that He provides everything we need. The protective wings of the cherubim cover us and hide us from our troubles in His goodness and glory.

When we have been through a few problems and sat on His seat of mercy, we start to realize His goodness to us. He is incredibly good no matter what situations or circumstances we face. He meets us every morning with new mercies and chases us down with His love.

We have a place to come in our difficulties that is filled with provision, mercy and goodness.

Psalm 91: 1-4,

“He who takes refuge in the shelter of the Most High
will be safe in the shadow of the Almighty.
He will say to the Eternal, "My shelter, my mighty fortress,
my God, I place all my trust in You."
For He will rescue you from the snares set up by your enemies
who entrap you and from deadly plagues.
Like a bird protecting its young,
God will cover you with His feathers
He will protect you under His great wings;
His faithfulness will form a shield around you,

a rock-solid wall to protect you."
 

Lord, sometimes we doubt Your goodness. This falls short of what you have for us and makes you very sad. Especially when You have provided a place for us to come at such a great cost. Help us to trust You in our troubles and run to Your mercy seat. Let us sing of Your goodness daily.