Saturday, May 24, 2008

temple, part 4

 
The concept of a temple is interesting - not only the principle of people designating a physical location to perform ritual ceremonies to worship a spiritual entity, but especially the audacious thought (as in the case of the Israelites) that Deity would "reside" in that location.  Yahweh is so gracious that He not only revealed Himself to us, but He desires to live and work inside us!
 
I really like King Solomon's prayers at the dedication of the temple; I think it is applicable to the Believer and the concept of the Holy Spirit of Yahweh living inside us:
37 "When famine or plague comes to the land, or blight or mildew, locusts or grasshoppers, or when an enemy besieges them in any of their cities, whatever disaster or disease may come, 38 and when a prayer or plea is made by any of your people Israel—each one aware of the afflictions of his own heart, and spreading out his hands toward this temple- 39 then hear from heaven, your dwelling place. Forgive and act; deal with each man according to all he does, since you know his heart (for you alone know the hearts of all men), 40 so that they will fear you all the time they live in the land you gave our fathers. 41 "As for the foreigner who does not belong to your people Israel but has come from a distant land because of your name- 42 for men will hear of your great name and your mighty hand and your outstretched arm—when he comes and prays toward this temple, 43 then hear from heaven, your dwelling place, and do whatever the foreigner asks of you, so that all the peoples of the earth may know your name and fear you, as do your own people Israel, and may know that this house I have built bears your Name. ... 56 "Praise be to the LORD, who has given rest to his people Israel just as he promised. Not one word has failed of all the good promises he gave through his servant Moses. 57 May the LORD our God be with us as he was with our fathers; may he never leave us nor forsake us. 58 May he turn our hearts to him, to walk in all his ways and to keep the commands, decrees and regulations he gave our fathers. 59 And may these words of mine, which I have prayed before the LORD, be near to the LORD our God day and night, that he may uphold the cause of his servant and the cause of his people Israel according to each day's need, 60 so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the LORD is God and that there is no other. 61 But your hearts must be fully committed to the LORD our God, to live by his decrees and obey his commands, as at this time."
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I see from your Scripture that you desire all peoples of the earth to know that you are God and that there is no other.  I want to be fully committed to you and live by your decrees for my whole life.  I pray that you will use me to glorify your Name.  I pray this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
 

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