TEMPLES!
TEMPLES!
And when the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the LORD, the priests in their vestments came forward with trumpets, and the Levites, the sons of Asaph, with cymbals, to praise the LORD, according to the directions of David king of Israel. And they sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the LORD, “For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever toward Israel.” And all the people shouted with a great shout when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid. But many of the priests and Levites and heads of fathers’ houses, old men who had seen the first house, wept with a loud voice when they saw the foundation of this house being laid, though many shouted aloud for joy, so that the people could not distinguish the sound of the joyful shout from the sound of the people’s weeping, for the people shouted with a great shout, and the sound was heard far away. —Ezra- 3:10-13
The Jews were returning from their 70 years in exile as was foretold by Jeremiah the prophet. “For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever toward Israel.” They came back to, among other things, rebuild the temple. When the foundation for the new temple was laid “they sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the LORD.” But many of the older generation who had seen the glory of the previous temple wept when they saw the foundation. They remembered the glory of the former and this laid foundation was not like the previous one. But many shouted for joy when this foundation was laid. To them it was glorious. They had not seen the previous temple.
But here is something to think about— What is most important… the size of the temple or the One for Him it is built? The presence of our Lord can be in any size temple and His presence is what is most important. And now “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies (I Corinthians 6:19-20).
So, don’t forget. It is not you, the temple, that is most important, but it is the Holy Spirit that resides in everyone who has trusted Jesus that is most important. Without Him we would not be His temple. But now that we know Him we are to honor Him with these temple bodies! May we do so!
Dear Father I am so grateful for Your Holy Spirit residing in me. That is so amazingly awesome to think about. You have given me all I need to live for You. You have given us Your Son. You have given us Your Holy Spirit and You have given us Your Word. Now may I live faithfully and joyfully for You by the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Your Son Jesus. Yes, may this be so! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oad8ov10AjY