Magnificent Temples

Ever since Adam and Eve were ushered out of the Garden and sin entered the world the earth has been a construction zone. God’s story tells the history of His continuous work to build a temple where He could dwell.

After luxurious temples were built, God still longed to dwell more intimately with man, so He sent Jesus as the payment for our sin, which separated us from God. Jesus became the bridge to God and man. Through His indwelling in our hearts we’ve become the magnificent temple where God chooses to dwell. Isn't that mind boggling? But did you ever think that the same construction work that went on to build and rebuild the ancient temples of God still goes on spiritually in us today?

After the Israelites 70 years of captivity, Nehemiah was called to birth God’s vision and rebuild the broken down temple. However, a nemesis named Sanballat set out to thwart God’s work. He tormented the people day and night saying, “What are these feeble people doing? Can they make something out of what’s useless?” He and his cohorts made it their ambition to mock and demoralize the builders.

Sanballat conspired to attack the weakest parts, but Nehemiah and the people prayed to God and set up guard day and night. They stationed men at the lowest and most exposed areas of the wall. The workers held weapons, even when they gathered water and stationed a man to blow the trumpet when one area was being assaulted, so they could furnish aid to those in need.

Sometimes we forget in the building process that we have a nemesis bent on thwarting God’s vision for our lives, making it necessary to be armed and ready at all times with the sword of the spirit, the word of God and each other.

I wrote this Saturday morning and then yesterday heard a similar text about the rebuilding of broken down areas in our lives at church and heard the song, His Eye is On the Sparrow, after my last post. Isn't in amazing that God so longs to dwell with us that His eye truly is upon the sparrow, as He watches our every move and participates in our lives. Remember if you feel alone, you aren't. He's watching you!