“Let’s go to the house of the Lord.”
There is nothing intrinsically special about our church buildings. It is not the tabernacle or the temple where the literal presence of the Lord resided for so many years. Today the Spirit of the Lord resides in His believers.
It is not the place where we make sacrifices to atone for our sins and mistakes, where bulls and doves allow us to express our sorrow for behaving in a way that is not pleasing to God. Today we make the sacrifice of a contrite heart.
Our feet are standing
Within your gates, Jerusalem.
(Psalm 122:1-2, NASB)
There is nothing intrinsically special about our church buildings. It is not the tabernacle or the temple where the literal presence of the Lord resided for so many years. Today the Spirit of the Lord resides in His believers.
It is not the place where we make sacrifices to atone for our sins and mistakes, where bulls and doves allow us to express our sorrow for behaving in a way that is not pleasing to God. Today we make the sacrifice of a contrite heart.
It’s not even the place we truly worship God. Jesus Himself taught that the day was coming when we would worship Him in spirit and truth. Today, like so many days that have already passed, is that day.
Yet there is something special about returning inside the church. I felt it last year, too, when we initially resumed meeting outside after quarantine.
Yet there is something special about returning inside the church. I felt it last year, too, when we initially resumed meeting outside after quarantine.
No social distance can replace the warmth of being with those you love.
No masks can cover the smile in a person's eyes.
No lack of corporate singing can stop the song in one's heart.
Every time I have ever travelled, there is this special moment when I walk back into my home. Whether being away for a couple days or a couple weeks, there is nothing like placing your feet on familiar soil. For the psalmist, that land was Jerusalem. For me, today, it was the sanctuary at my church.
Where I first learned to study scripture.
Where I was baptized.
Where I first served God amongst other believers.
Where I married my husband.
Where I've testified to God's grace over and over in my life.
So I will pray for my church, my homeland, my Jerusalem. When the words falter, I will echo the words of the psalmist, that peace and prosperity be a part of our lives, not for our own sake but for the sake of our brothers and friends and for the sake of the house of the Lord.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
“May they prosper who love you.
May peace be within your walls,
And prosperity within your palaces.”
For the sake of my brothers and my friends,
I will now say, “May peace be within you.”
For the sake of the house of the Lord our God,
I will seek your good.
(Psalm 122:6-9, NASB)
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