Beautifying the Temple

“And he garnished the house with precious stones for beauty…” 2 Chronicles 3:6

The house of God, have we lost our wonder and respect for such an edifice? The specified place designated for drawing near to His holy presence. The place ordained by His Spirit for the saint to come and be refreshed, and to learn what thus saith the Lord. The place for the sinner to find refuge if he will but hide himself in the salvation offered there.

Solomon did everything in his power to beautify this sacred space. Other kings had other gods with other buildings of worship. But for the King of all kings, and the one and only true living God, Creator of all, he knew he could not do enough to honor the Holy Presence there. Yet, he would do what he could because God deserved this and more for this designated meeting place.

The wonder and respect for the Lord God over all compelled him to lay out the best of the best to honor Him.

But Jesus said, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up” (John 2:19), speaking of His body regarding His death and resurrection. Paul goes on to say, “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you…” (1 Corinthians 6:19).

Are we taking such care as Solomon did in beautifying and honoring the temple? How are we caring for the temple within?

My friends, whether we be in a building we designate as the house of God, or be it the temple within, let us remember to bring honor to the place where God’s Spirit dwells. Never lose the awe and wonder over such a sacred assembly.

Take away anything that mars the beauty, stop any practice that brings dishonor and replace it with ornaments of grace (Proverbs 3:22), remembering we are “Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body” (2 Corinthians 4:10).

May we bring our own precious stones of praise and honor to beautify His house.

In the finiteness of our humanity, Father God, You deserve so much more glory, honor, and praise.

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Know Him!

“Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10

Be still…

Sit…

Don’t talk…

Meditate… on Him, on God, on His ways, on His goodness, on His love, on His mercy and grace, on His kindness, on His guidance, on His providence, on His gift, on His truth, on His creative power, on His deliverance, on His Word, on His victories, on His praise, on His adoption, on His redemption, on His salvation, on His power, on His Kingship, on His honor, on His glory, on His majesty, on His promises and provisions, on His holiness and His righteousness, on His protection, on His omniscience, on His forgiveness, on His beauty, on His wonder, on His might, on His peace, on His wholeness, on His healing, on His help, on His anointing, on His Incarnation, on His name, on His immutability, on His shepherding, on His strength, on His Sovereignty, on His faithfulness, on His exaltation, on His presence in your life and so much more.

Our God is beautiful beyond words, more than the heart or mind could even imagine.

“Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, and my servant whom I have preferred: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.” Isaiah 43:10

Father God, I pray for many hearts and lives to come and know You for themselves. “Forasmuch as there is none like unto thee, O Lord; thou art great, and thy name is great in might. Who would not fear thee, O King of nations? for to thee doth it appertain: forasmuch as among all the wise men of the nations, and in all their kingdoms, there is none like unto thee,” Jeremiah 10:6-7.

“But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.” 1 Corinthians 8:6

Draw near and awaken the sense of the fullness of who God is in your life, and know Him.

Text Free Image by Kasia from Pixabay