Temple

When they built the Temple, they weren't kidding around.

I don't have any specific scriptures to quote from what I read today, but I will provide the colored commentary:]

This thing was huge. This thing was planned. Most of all this thing was nice. It was ornate. Everything was made of fancy materials and covered in fancy materials. It was all crafted by the best of the best. Sure they were drafted into forced labor, but they were building a house for the Lord. A place to worship.

That's when I come to a metaphor - we are also God's Temple. His place of worship. We were made with way more care and fine finishes. We are God's handiwork, not just the production of some guy. Yes, in this fallen world some people's bodies don't really seem like fine examples of God's work due to diseases or other conditions. This doesn't mean that our bodies aren't temples. That's why you get the classic preacher speech about treating your body like God's house. Jesus does dwell in us. We have to remember not to abuse or mistreat these poor bodies. Our primary place of worship with our Lord is not Church or any place but rather in our own hearts. Would you defile a Church? No. Even non-Christians wouldn't do that. So why do we mess with our bodies?

Then there's another side to the coin. One that I've thought many times. A need to be in a special place to worship. Sometimes it's hard to open up and be with God just anywhere. I'll think to myself, oh if I were in such and such a place, I could come freely into God's presence. Really it's just an excuse. Really the only thing I need to come into God's presences is my self. A quiet and humble heart. Granted, that is something I often lack, but it's not like I need to climb some mountain or go to a prayer room just to be with God. God is with me. I'm with Him now. He's ministering to me now. He's speaking to me now. He's speaking to you too. Weird, right?

Lord, help me to come into Your presence. Each day let me spend myself worshiping You! It does not matter what tasks I have to complete, let me do them as an act of worship. Let me do everything as an act of worship. Let me do nothing that is displeasing to You. Come dwell in this Your House. Allow it to be as magnificent as the ancient Temple. Allow me to bring honor and glory to You. Not because I'm receiving recognition, but because of who You are. The door is open. Come dwell in this place.


Amen. Amen. Amen.