Tag Archives: Temple

Chapter-a-Day

Chapter-a-Day 2 Chronicles 6

1 Comment

Can it be that God will actually move into our neighborhood? Why, the cosmos itself isn’t large enough to give you breathing room, let alone this Temple I’ve built. 2 Chronicles 6:18 (MSG)

I stood in line there in Jerusalem and I walked up to the ancient wall. It’s called the Western Wall though it’s known by most people as the Wailing Wall. It’s at the foot of the temple mount in Jerusalem. It’s right there where the events of today’s chapter took place. I prayed at the wall with a throng of others. Prayers are offered there without ceasing. 

A while back I was introduced the Celtic concept of “thin places.” The basic premise is that there are certain locations where the veil between the spiritual realm and the physical realm is thin. In these thin places, prayers take on greater power.

I thought about thin places as I read Solomon’s dedication prayer to the temple. Reading between the lines, I believe Solomon knew that the temple he built could not contain an immeasureable, almighty God. He seemed to hint at the understanding that God was establishing a thin place where the confession and prayers of the people would receive a special hearing.

There is no doubt that Solomon’s Temple was (and is) a special place, a thin place. God moved in to the neighborhood. Over ten centuries after Solomon’s prayer, people are still flocking to the site to pray. The temple was destroyed long ago, and the mount is now capped by a mosque, but there at the uncovered footings of Solomon’s Temple, people still come from around the world to offer prayers.

Solomon’s prayer was answered.

Chapter-a-Day

Chapter-a-Day 2 Chronicles 5

Leave a comment

The choir and trumpets made one voice of praise and thanks to God—orchestra and choir in perfect harmony singing and playing praise to God: Yes! God is good! His loyal love goes on forever! 2 Chronicles 5:13 (MSG)

I grew up singing choral music. When I was a kid I sang in a robed church choir. Each Sunday morning we would make a processional up the center aisle to the altar before taking our place in the choir loft. We sang classic and choral music. In high school I sang in the robed choir as we belted out classics, many of them sacred pieces.

Today, the worship I experience on Sunday morning is contemporary and I enjoy playing my electric bass and rocking out. But, I do miss the sacred atmosphere of the traditional liturgical service with its formal processional, order, and sacred rhythm. I still have sacred music and gregorian chant playing during my personal quiet times. I get chills hearing certain sacred pieces.

I read today’s chapter about the triumphant procession bringing the ark of the covenant into the temple. I picture the pomp, the ceremonial grandeur and imagine the sound of the sacred music. It reminds me of my love of what contemporary worship often lacks. It’s not that contemporary or traditional is “right” while the other is “wrong” (despite advocates and critics on I hear on both sides). It’s just different, and they each have their strengths when it comes to a worship experience.

Tonight I go to worship rehearsal. I’ll plug in my bass, play with my whole heart, and experience the blessing of worship. At the same time, a part of me will wish I was standing in a mass choir singing a beautiful, sacred choral piece.

The worship of an omniscient God can’t be confined into one box. Worship of the Almighty, by necessity, must come in all sorts of styles because God can’t be defined by a single standard. The key is not to find the “right” way to worship, but to appreciate and experience the worship of an unlimited God in worship’s ever expanding form and style.

Creative Commons photo courtesy of Flickr and danagraves
Chapter-a-Day

Chapter-a-Day 2 Chronicles 3

1 Comment

The right pillar he named Jakin (Security) and the left pillar he named Boaz (Stability). 2 Chronicles 3:17 (MSG)

As I read the description of Solomon’s temple with all of its ornate construction filled with precious metals, I can’t help but remember that God created a new paradigm with the death and resurrection of his Son, Jesus. No longer would he dwell in a temple made of woood and metal, but in the hearts of those who believe. “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?” 1 Corinthians 6:19 (NIV).

If my body is a temple of the God of creation, then how precious it is. I read today’s chapter, I read of the two giant pillars named “security” and “stability” and I think of the pillars in my own life. I not only think of God, who is my rock and fortress, but also of my parents, my grandparents, my wife, my family, my mentors, and my dearest friends. My temple stands fast with strong and faithful pillars. Without them, my life would have completely fallen apart long ago.

Today, I’m thankful for those in my life on whom I can and do depend; grateful for the pillars of this temple I can aptly name “safety” and “security.”

Creative Commons photo courtesy of Flickr and J.W. Photography
Chapter-a-Day

Chapter-a-Day 1 Chronicles 26

1 Comment

 From the family of the Izharites, Kenaniah and sons were appointed as officials and judges responsible for affairs outside the work of worship and sanctuary. 1 Chronicles 26:29 (MSG)

For the past five years I’ve helped lead our little town’s community theater. It’s a great group of people and I enjoy doing shows. Audience members, however, have very little idea the sheer number of people and amount of time and energy required to put a show together for our audiences. Audience members see the actors, but they don’t see the people who did props, marketing, production, set, lights, sound, make-up, or any of a number of other tasks required.

As I read through these chapters laying out how the organization and workforce for the temple, I feel like an audience member getting a peek at the sheer breadth of work required to run the temple. As a casual reader, I think there was this big temple but you had a few priests who made the sacrifices. I didn’t think about security, upkeep, music, accounting, grounds, crowd control, and storage. Solomon’s temple was like a city unto itself. It was a major operation and required thousands of workers to keep it in operation.

Today, I’m thinking about the things I experience without ever considering all that is required to produce it. I’m thankful for all those who quietly go about their appointed tasks which ensure that I can enjoy my daily existence.

Chapter-a-Day

Chapter-a-Day 1 Chronicles 22

Leave a comment

Bloody hands. David said to Solomon, “I wanted in the worst way to build a sanctuary to honor my God. But God prevented me, saying, ‘You’ve killed too many people, fought too many wars. You are not the one to honor me by building a sanctuary—you’ve been responsible for too much killing, too much bloodshed.” 1 Chronicles 22:7 (MSG)

I’ve got the gift of teaching and preaching. I don’t know why God gave it to me, and I don’t always understand His designs for it in my life, but I’ve got it. I’m not a gifted singer, even though I’m envious of those who are gifted singers. I’d love to open my mouth and have a voice eminate that stops people in their tracks, but that’s not me. I’m a decent singer, and I can belt out a decent tune, but I was never the first choice to sing the solo (or the second or third, for that matter).

Along the journey I’ve had the opportunity to speak and to preach along side some very gifted musicians and worship leaders. I’ve noticed a pattern. Many of them really wanted to be gifted teachers and preachers, but they weren’t. They were gifted singers. I really wanted to be a gifted singer, but I wasn’t.

I recall one weekend I was doing a series of messages. The worship leader, knowing that I secretly wanted to sing, let me try my hand at a solo. It wasn’t embarrassing, but it wasn’t great, either. Everybody knew it. During the worship set, the worship leader went off between songs into a long teaching introduction. There was nothing wrong with what he said, it just didn’t fit. I’ll never forget that evening, After the service I remember saying, “I won’t sing if you don’t preach. You stick with singing. I’ll stick with preaching. It’ll be better for everyone.”

As much as David wanted to build the temple, he wasn’t the right person person. He was a warrior. His job was to make way for the building of the temple, which would be done by his son, who was a man of peace, knowledge and wisdom.

We all have our gifts and our part to play in God’s kingdom. The key is to identify our gift and use it well.

Creative Commons photo courtesy of Flickr and kypkanomin

Chapter-a-Day

Chapter-a-Day 1 Chronicles 9

1 Comment

Musicians on call for God 24-7-365. And then there were the musicians, all heads of Levite families. They had permanent living quarters in The Temple; because they were on twenty-four-hour duty, they were exempt from all other duties. 1 Chronicles 9:33 (MSG)

It's funny to think about musicians being on call 24/7/365, but that was true of the Levite families in charge of music in God's temple back in the day. We think of doctors, police and firemen on 24 hour duty, but in God's house it's the musicians.

I love that God is a God of music. I love playing on a worship team and being part of the music on Sunday morning. While I'm only on two Sunday mornings a month duty, the thought of being on call with my bass 24/7 is actually an exciting thought. I feel honored everytime I plug in my Vander Well custom and play with others to glorify God.

Pump up the volume. In God's Kingdom, music is everpresent.

Creative Commons photo courtesy of Flickr and Jeanne.photography

Chapter-a-Day

Chapter-a-Day 1 Kings 6

Leave a comment

Keeping up appearances. The word of God came to Solomon saying, "About this Temple you are building—what's important is that you live the way I've set out for you and do what I tell you, following my instructions carefully and obediently. Then I'll complete in you the promise I made to David your father." 1 Kings 6:11-12 (MSG)

We are obsessed with appearances. Take a spin through the television channels in the middle of the night and look at what is being hawked by men with loud voices and beautiful celebrities. Make-up, pimple cream, exercise equipment, diet pills and flab gadgets. We want to look better. We want to keep up appearances.

It's really no different with our spiritual lives. Appearance is key. We want to look good for others so our spirtuality isn't questioned. Play the game. Say the right things. Show up in the right places. Look the part. But, you don't want to look too spiritual and attract unwanted attention. It's tricky. You've got to maintain balance. Fit in. We don't want to appear too crazy, too wierd, too over-the-top.

Solomon built a gorgeous edifice. Solomon's temple would attract considerable attention. But, in today's chapter God made it clear that he placed far more importance on the unseen condition of Solomon's heart than the public display of his temple.

When it comes to matters of faith, what is hidden is far more important than what is seen.

Creative Commons photo courtesy of Flickr and bbaltimore

Chapter-a-Day

Chapter-a-Day 1 Kings 6

1 Comment

Keeping up appearances. The word of God came to Solomon saying, "About this Temple you are building—what's important is that you live the way I've set out for you and do what I tell you, following my instructions carefully and obediently. Then I'll complete in you the promise I made to David your father." 1 Kings 6:11-12 (MSG)

We are obsessed with appearances. Take a spin through the television channels in the middle of the night and look at what is being hawked by men with loud voices and beautiful celebrities. Make-up, pimple cream, exercise equipment, diet pills and flab gadgets. We want to look better. We want to keep up appearances.

It's really no different with our spiritual lives. Appearance is key. We want to look good for others so our spirtuality isn't questioned. Play the game. Say the right things. Show up in the right places. Look the part. But, you don't want to look too spiritual and attract unwanted attention. It's tricky. You've got to maintain balance. Fit in. We don't want to appear too crazy, too wierd, too over-the-top.

Solomon built a gorgeous edifice. Solomon's temple would attract considerable attention. But, in today's chapter God made it clear that he placed far more importance on the unseen condition of Solomon's heart than the public display of his temple.

When it comes to matters of faith, what is hidden is far more important than what is seen.

Creative Commons photo courtesy of Flickr and bbaltimore

Chapter-a-Day

Chapter-a-Day Exodus 26

1 Comment

Toms bass

"Make The Dwelling itself from ten panels of tapestry woven from fine twisted linen, blue and purple and scarlet material, with an angel-cherubim design. A skilled craftsman should do it." Exodus 26:1 (MSG)

I own an electric bass that was hand-made by my brother. Each time I play it, I marvel to think that it had once been a couple of blocks of wood in my brother's hands. The craftsmanship is amazing and the sound it makes is spectacular. Each time I play the low B string I can feel the deep, vibrating rumble all the way to my toes. I think back to the cheap department store special on which I first learned to play. The difference in structure, in playability, and in the resulting sound between that bass guitar and the one my brother crafted is so vast as to be comical.

God is an artist and a craftsman. He created the world and all that is in it with infinite complexity. As I read through the detailed description of how he wanted the tent of dwelling, the first dedicated sanctuary for his presence on Earth, built – it is no wonder that he calls upon "skilled craftsman" to do the work. God didn't want a blue-light special. God wanted a hand-crafted, one-of-a-kind work of art full of color and artistry. This portable temple must have been breathtaking to behold.

Today, I meditate on the things I offer God (e.g. my time, my money, my talents, my life), and I wonder if God feels like I'm constantly handing him a cheap, department store knock-off. God is an artist. God is a skilled craftsman, and I know he wants the very best of me that I can possibly offer.

Chapter-a-Day

Chapter-a-Day Exodus 25

1 Comment

The ark.

Let them construct a Sanctuary for me so that I can live among them. You are to construct it following the plans I've given you, the design for The Dwelling and the design for all its furnishings. Exodus 25:9 (MSG)

As I read through the instructions that God gave Moses for constructing this amazing portable tent of God's "Dwelling," the Ark of the Covenant, and all the items to be used in worship, I'm reminded that I am God's dwelling on earth. Since the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2, our bodies are become the temple of God. I find it interesting that we constantly want to associate God's presence with a church building, a temple, or a sanctuary – when God makes it clear in His message to us that old things have passed away, new things have come. He no longer dwells in a building made with hands, but in the bodies and lives of those who believe.

And, as I read through these exacting instructions, I'm reminded of what a special place is required for God's presence. In Exodus, the tent of meeting (a.k.a. Tabernacle or Dwelling) required time, work, construction, craftsmanship, sweat, toil, dedication, and obedience to make this place suitable for God's dwelling.

Today, I'm reminded that my body is God's place of dwelling. The same time, work, sweat, toil, dedication and obedience is required to make my body a special place for God's presence, and I should care for it as such.

I guess I'm finding time to work out today 🙂