Love That Never Fails

72. Rebuilding the Temple

The story of God's people throughout the Old Testament, is punctuated by good and evil under the reign of various kings. Time after time, the Lord would lovingly draw His people back to Himself through a king who followed Him, only to see them fall into temptation and start worshipping idols again! The things that stands out after reading through the books of first and second Kings then first and second Chronicles, is that the Lord remains the same. He hates evil and requires His people to worship Him. God's love and patience are also seen, as He forgave His people again and again when they would turn back and see that He was the one true living God.

This tumultuous history of God's chosen people, had many positives and yet so many devastating low points, like the destruction of the temple built under King Solomon's reign. The temple was such an important place then because it was the place where the presence of the Lord was found and so we read of the diligence taken in order to restore it:

"The king should know that we went to the district of Judah, to the temple of the great God. The people are building it with large stones and placing the timbers in the walls. The work is being carried on with diligence and is making rapid progress under their direction.

We questioned the elders and asked them, "Who authorized you to rebuild this temple and to finish it?" We also asked them their names, so that we could write down the names of their leaders for your information.

This is the answer they gave us: "We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and we are rebuilding the temple that was built many years ago, one that a great king of Israel built and finished. But because our ancestors angered the God of heaven, he gave them into the hands of Nebuchadnezzar the Chaldean, king of Babylon, who destroyed this temple and deported the people to Babylon.

"However, in the first year of Cyrus king of Babylon, King Cyrus issued a decree to rebuild this house of God. He even removed from the temple of Babylon the gold and silver articles of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the temple in Jerusalem and brought to the temple in Babylon. Then King Cyrus gave them to a man named Sheshbazzar, whom he had appointed governor, and he told him, 'Take these articles and go and deposit them in the temple in Jerusalem. And rebuild the house of God on its site.'"
‭‭Ezra‬ ‭5:8-15‬ ‭NIV‬‬

It's important that we remember, as God's children of the 21st century, we are the temple of the Holy Spirit:

"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."
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭6:19-20‬ ‭NIV‬‬

At this time of COVID-19, as we have not had the opportunity to worship God in our churches, we have had more time to draw near to Him and examine our hearts.  Are they honouring Him? Do our thoughts, words and actions bring Him glory? Perhaps we are centred on so many other things that we have forgotten to put Him first!

When it comes to our temple, our body, are we taking care of it during this crisis? If comfort eating has gotten out of control, perhaps it's time to let God be your comfort and get rid of the chocolate! Take an honest look at what you consumed in the past week. Look at quality and quantity. How about your activity levels? In order to honour God with your body, consider the changes you might make in order to have a healthy temple.

The enemy wants us to be sick and weak, so tempts us to neglect our temple. He promotes laziness and all sorts of destructive habits that we must steer away from. Why not make this season a time to rebuild God's temple with great diligence, doing so unto the Lord and for His glory, rather than just making yourself feel and look good. God has great things planned for you to do! Remember:

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."
‭‭John‬ ‭10:10‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Let's pray:

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for reminding me that my body is the temple of Your Holy Spirit. In this difficult season, I choose to take care of this temple You have given me and honour You by caring for it with due diligence. Please guide me as I choose what to eat. Help me to exercise enough and also to keep my mind healthy by paying attention to what it feeds on. Thank You for Your Word the Bible that guides me.

As I consider the rebuilding project that went underway in the Old Testament, I realise that it didn't happen overnight. The work was painstaking but they made rapid progress as they had a goal. Help me to keep my eyes on the goal of honouring You with my body and being careful to listen to Your prompting. Bless my mind, spirit and body as I carry out the necessary construction works today.

I am so thankful to be a temple of Your Holy Spirit! I seek to bring glory to Your Name,
Amen.