Amen! We typically say it at the end of our prayers, but Amen has more significance than simply being the last word in a prayer. Of the 30 times it’s used in the Old Testament, Amen is nearly always a response of approval to something that has been stated.

God seemed to respond to Solomon’s dedicatory prayer for the temple with, Amen, let it be so! Upon the completion of the temple, Solomon and the people gathered together to dedicate it. While reigning in heaven, God had chosen to reveal His presence on earth from the newly built edifice. After blessing the people, Solomon offered a prayer of dedication to the Lord. This prayer was one of humility (2 Chronicles 6:12-13), recognition of the faithfulness of God (2 Chronicles 6:14-15), desire for justice (2 Chronicles 6:22-23), forgiveness and repentance (2 Chronicles 6:24-27), desire to see the foreigner experience God’s presence (2 Chronicles 6:32-33), and a prayer for the Lord’s enduring presence in the temple (2 Chronicles 6:41-42).

God answered Solomon’s prayer in dramatic fashion. Fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offerings, and the glory of the Lord filled the temple (2 Chronicles 7:1). God was approving the dedication and use of the temple as He had intended—for encounters between Himself and His people through sacrifices and prayer. Yes, it’s as if God said “Amen” to Solomon’s prayer.

As believers in Jesus, our body is the new temple where God dwells. He dwells there by the presence of the Holy Spirit. As we submit to Him, He helps us to build and orient our lives for transforming encounters with Him—the living God.

Let’s dedicate, offer, and sacrifice our lives so we too can experience God’s enduring presence and His Amen.

NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Luke 14:15-35