How great is the Lord, and how much we should praise him in the city of our God, which is on this holy mountain!It is magnificent in elevation – the whole earth rejoices to see it! Mount Zion, the holy mountain, is the city of the great King! God himself is in Jerusalem's towers. He reveals himself as her defender. The kings of the earth joined forces and advanced against the city. But when they saw it, they were stunned; they were terrified and ran away. They were gripped with terror, like a woman writhing in the pain of childbirth or like the mighty ships of Tarshish being shattered by a powerful east wind. We had heard of the city's glory, but now we have seen it ourselves-- the city of the Lord Almighty. It is the city of our God; he will make it safe forever. Psalm 48:1-8 NLT
If you had to describe your place of worship, what would you say?
Would you point out what God has done? The amount of people it holds for worship? Would you find yourself talking about the buildings or physical plant or would you focus on the people? If you talk about the buildings, how are they like God? Does just looking at your place of worship inspire terror of those who are not of God? Do you feel like God will make this place of worship safe forever?
Of course, we all know that Jerusalem and God's holy temple were not kept safe forever – at least physically. God had a different temple in mind: Jesus Christ. The focus went from the building to the person of Christ. And many of us know that the power of our place of worship is not in the physical plant but in the people filled with the Holy Spirit. Certainly, we don't want people to look upon our church people in fear; in awe perhaps, but not in terror.
Thank you, God, for providing a place for me to worship. Thank you most of all that you gave your only son as our Temple that I can worship you in Spirit and in truth wherever I am. In his name I pray. Amen.
Copyright 2011 Amelia G. Sims
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