“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.
“O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.” Psalm 22:3
Psalm 22 is known by all as the Messianic psalm prophesied of and quoted by Jesus Christ as He died and gave up His life for all mankind on that old rugged cross.
In the tragedy that would occur on Calvary, David tucks in this verse describing God dwelling in the place where His people praise Him.
If you are living a life of praising God, then no matter what circumstance you face, you are drawn near in heart and soul to Him, and the peace of His presence is never far from you.
One psalmist once declared, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all” Psalm 34:19, knowing that at the end of his course, victory was on the other side.
But on this side of life, we may still face many challenges and difficulties we are not keen on. For the very word tells of the distress it brings in one’s life. But it is in the midst of these struggles the individual must train themselves where the thoughts of their heart will lie: in the bosom of God’s faithfulness, or in the logic of human thinking.
The first would always be the winning choice regardless of one’s current condition, for in the bosom of God’s faithfulness, these moments of hardships, with the tears and turmoil they may possess, give way and make room to be refreshed in the fire by the God who will step in with you – to have one’s heart lifted with peace above the circumstance because praise has elevated you.
Oh, my friends, praise is powerful! Praise can lift you from the deepest pit and the direst of occasions. Though physically one may not experience the immediate relief they long for, but when our thoughts and intents of heart are transferred from viewing the troubles before us to the faithful God who has always been with us, we are raised by the power of His presence in the midst of the storm.
Naturally, we may be down, but inside we rise to the place where His glory dwells. Inside, we seem to soar into the heavenlies, leaving the cares of this world behind.
“O thou that inhabits the praises of Israel,” will He not also come near to you and me when we sequester ourselves with Him, lean upon His bosom of faithfulness, and just praise.
Tears may mingle there, but let praise be not absent.
Cares may be cast there but let not the Hallelujah’s be silenced.
“I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.” Psalm 34:1
“O praise the Lord, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people” Psalm 117:1. You do not have to be Israel’s biological child to praise the LORD. The heart of the saint, His redeemed one, crying out, “Abba, Father” (Galatians 4:6) knows that “praise is comely for the upright” (Psalm 33:1) no matter who they are or where they hail from.
“Give unto the LORD the glory due his name…” Psalm 29:2
“It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy name, O Most High:” Psalm 92:1
We may not be before the ark decorated with cherubim, but we can come before the “Throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in times of need” (Hebrews 4:16) which is decorated with His undeniable glory.
And while there before that place of His presence, let us not just ask from Him, but let us offer to God our genuine, heartfelt praise.
Difficulties, struggles, and hurts – with great compassion for the trials some face, I will never downplay their experience. But according to Job, regardless of our present experience, we can still find a place of praise, for he said, “Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord” Job 1:21.
“Praise ye the Lord. Praise, O ye servants of the Lord, praise the name of the Lord.
Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time forth and for evermore.
From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the Lord’s name is to be praised.
The Lord is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens.
Who is like unto the Lord our God, who dwelleth on high,
Who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth!
He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill;
That he may set him with princes, even with the princes of his people.
He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the Lord.” Psalm 113
Like Mary at the feet of Jesus, so I sit (Luke 10:39).
In His presence . . .
Learning from Him . . .
Being filled and renewed by His Spirit . . .
What a glorious position to be in!
Cares of this world all around, but today, I choose to sit . . .
At His feet, I am in a joyous place. Before His throne, I am drawing nigh to His presence. You, oh Lord, have given me this blessed space to be where You are.
I don’t have to wait for the scepter of an earthly king to be stretched out, allowing me access. No, but the King of all kings welcomes me by His grace to enter into His holy courts. In this place, our drawing near is magnetized by His love. As I bow, as my head lifts up in prayer, closer am I drawn to Thee by Your Spirit. Deeper in fellowship I go. Deeper in praise my heart doles out what is due to Your holy Name.
It will never be enough, for You are worthy of so much more, but with a heart full of assurance and faith, I enter the sacred place and sit like Mary sat, at the feet of Jesus. I take in all of who You are. I am filled with Your presence. I am renewed by Your Spirit. I am strengthened and enlivened for the day ahead.
What a joy to sit in this place. What an honor and privilege to offer my Lord praise and prayer from the sacred assembly of my heart. You inhabit the praises of Your people. You hear every prayer that flows from their lips. Just to be where You are is a treasure all its own. How grateful I am to be in this place. Oh, how Your peace washes over me, drowning out everything that is not like You. As the priests stepped their foot in the Jordan bearing the Ark, so I step through the floods all around me, and they have dried up to give me passage to my promise – to lead me to my inheritance where I can just sit and enjoy You face to face forevermore.
Oh, what a blessed place to be . . . So today, in my heart, I sit.
My words may not be many, but with my heart, my thank You says much.
When I look around and see the wondrous things done for me, and the many times You stood for me and helped me – my heart is overwhelmed with praise of thanks.
Thank You for touching my life.
Thank You for saving my soul.
Thank You for this new day I see.
Thank You for another chance given me.
Thank You for hearing my prayers.
Thank You for letting me know You care.
Thank You for being by my side.
Thank You, my Heavenly Guide.
Oh, Father God, I just want to thank You. The greatness of who You are in my life – it just cannot be compared. So, humbly before You, with love and gratefulness in my heart and soul, all I have is a thank You.
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