When, where, and how do you meet with God?
For the Israelites, God was met through their very own temple. The book of Ezra speaks about rebuilding a new temple after the first had been destroyed by the Babylonians. God used prophets and government officials to finish the process of constructing a new place of worship, overcoming opposition and challenges (shout out to Haggai, Zechariah, Darius, and Zerubbabel). While the elders longed for their original temple built under Solomon, others celebrated.
"They sang with praise and thanksgiving to the Lord: 'For He is good; His faithful love to Israel endures forever'. Then all the people gave a great shout of praise to the Lord because the foundation of the Lord's house had been laid" (Ezra 3:11).
Through Jesus, the Spirit of God is in all of us. I'm thankful to serve a God that can be worshiped anywhere AND everywhere.
Through prayer on the couch.
Praising God's greatness, a little too loud in my car through worship music.
Quiet time in my Bible, ooh-ing and ah-ing at God's amazing character.
At the local church, encouraging others in their walk with God.
What am I saying? We don't need a tediously designed, physical temple, He is with us. We don't need a rebuilt foundation; Christ is OUR firm foundation!
Alexa, play Firm Foundation, please.
“After all that has happened to us because of our evil deeds and terrible guilt - though you, our God, have punished us less than our iniquities deserve and gave us such deliverance as this" (Ezra 9:13).
Lord, thank You for being a God that guides us and helps us pursue righteousness. Thank You for punishing us less than our sins deserve, granting us second, third, and fourth chances with You and Your perfect ways through Jesus Christ. Thank you for being a father that provides hope in every move you make. Thank you for your everlasting love and grace. Thank you for allowing access to your goodness anywhere, all the time. Please help me continue to hunger for more of your presence every day. Amen.
