September 24 | Acts 7:44-50, 1 Corinthians 3:16

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DAILY READING

Acts 7:44-50

1 Corinthians 3:16

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REFLECTION

Lord, Prepare Me

By Beth Voltmann

Recently, my daughter asked me, “Do you think God approves of the immense effort and expense we pour into creating ornate places of worship for him?”  

Hmm...what a thought-provoking question. Does He?

Shortly after freeing the Hebrews from the grip of Pharaoh, God gave Moses instructions to prepare a fully mobile tabernacle (or tent) that would serve as the center of the their devotion to the Lord. It was to be elaborately detailed, including the articles to be used in sacrifice and worship. The tabernacle would serve as a physical reminder that God was dwelling among them. (Exodus 29: 45-46)

Years later, when King David longed to build a more permanent structure to honor God, the Lord blessed his desire, but ordained that Solomon, his son, would be the one to oversee the construction. The day of dedication came and God’s glory descended on this magnificent temple so that even the priests were not able to enter at the time (2 Chronicles 7:1-3).

So, in answer to my daughter’s query, it would seem that God doesn’t disapprove of our human efforts to create beautiful brick and mortar places of worship, but his reminder to us from scripture is clear...

“However, the Most High does not live in houses made by human hands.” (Hebrews 7:48)

The original tabernacle, entrusted to the care of Moses, was a visible assurance that God was with his chosen people. His continual presence above the tabernacle appeared as a cloud by day and pillar of fire by night. When the cloud rested, they encamped around the tabernacle, and when it lifted, they followed. (Exodus 40:36, Numbers 9:15-23).

God’s desire to continually be with his people has now been manifested through the life, death and resurrection of his son, Jesus. For everyone who believes, the Spirit of God rests not only on us, but in us. Believers (the Church), both individually and corporately, serve as a sanctuary for the Lord.

“Don't you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that

 God’s Spirit dwells in your midst?” (1 Corinthians 3:16)

How good it is to invite our neighbors to attend our church with the hope that they will hear the Gospel, but how incredible it will be when their hearts are opened because they have witnessed the life-changing presence of God in and through us. We are his living, breathing, moving temple – willing to go whenever and wherever he sends us. To God be the glory!

PRAYER

Lord, I remember a song of worship from days past. May it be my prayer today as you fill me and guide me with your Spirit.

Lord prepare me

To be a sanctuary

Pure and holy

Tried and true

With thanksgiving

I’ll be a living

Sanctuary for you.

(Written by Randy Scruggs & John W. Thompson)

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

BETH VOLTMANN

After moving to Ohio in 1997 with my husband and four children, I developed a hunger for God’s Word through adult teaching and women’s Bible study at UALC. My passion is to help others understand Scripture so that they may grow in their desire for more of God and experience the new life offered to us through Christ Jesus.