A Place for the Lord

November 27

(Psalm 132:1-10 NIV) “A song of ascents. O Lord, remember David and all the hardships he endured. {2} He swore an oath to the Lord and made a vow to the Mighty One of Jacob: {3} "I will not enter my house or go to my bed-- {4} I will allow no sleep to my eyes, no slumber to my eyelids, {5} till I find a place for the Lord, a dwelling for the Mighty One of Jacob." {6} We heard it in Ephrathah, we came upon it in the fields of Jaar: {7} "Let us go to his dwelling place; let us worship at his footstool-- {8} arise, O Lord, and come to your resting place, you and the ark of your might. {9} May your priests be clothed with righteousness; may your saints sing for joy." {10} For the sake of David your servant, do not reject your anointed one.”

(Acts 7:44-49 NIV) ““Our forefathers had the tabernacle of the Testimony with them in the desert. It had been made as God directed Moses, according to the pattern he had seen. {45} Having received the tabernacle, our fathers under Joshua brought it with them when they took the land from the nations God drove out before them. It remained in the land until the time of David, {46} who enjoyed God's favor and asked that he might provide a dwelling place for the God of Jacob. {47} But it was Solomon who built the house for him. {48} "However, the Most High does not live in houses made by men. As the prophet says: {49} "'Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build for me? says the Lord. Or where will my resting place be?””

(Ephesians 2:17-22 NIV) “He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. {18} For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. {19} Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, {20} built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. {21} In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. {22} And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.”

After the exodus from Egypt, a portable tabernacle was built and God blessed people with His presence there. After God’s people settled in their new land, King David raised money and Solomon built an elaborate new temple -- a permanent dwelling place for God. But over time God made it clear that He does not live in buildings made by man. He cannot be contained by walls. Instead, God has chosen to live in people. Their bodies are a temple for His Holy Spirit. God lives in believers who have invited Jesus into their lives. Christians, we are God’s holy temple. Our church buildings do not house God until we gather there. When Christ’s Church enters the sanctuary, the church building becomes a dwelling place for God. Will God dwell in your church this Sunday? Does Christ live in you? Are you a temple for God’s Spirit? -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day