Wednesday August 19
God’s house
The demise of the “high street” shop is one of the most visible signs of the recession in the UK. As you walk down the main street of many towns, you find shop after shop closed and shuttered. Some city councils have recognized the negative social impact of the flopped shops and have installed facades featuring pictures of open stores to try to create the impression of a thriving community. The clever marketing trick might work for those driving down the street, but if you try to walk into one of the false storefronts you realize there’s nothing but an empty building behind the image.
By the second year of the reign of King Darius, God’s house had been destroyed and lay in ruins (Haggai 1:4). The people were so caught up with building their own houses that they weren’t taking time to work on God’s house—the temple (v.2). The consequences of their negligence left them wanting: They planted, but harvested little; they ate, but were never satisfied; they drank, but remained thirsty; they put on clothes, but couldn’t keep warm; and their wages seemed to disappear as though they were placed in pockets full of holes. They hoped for rich harvests, but remained poor (vv.6,9, 2:16-17). Their preoccupation with self and lack of love for God were reflected in the dismal state of the temple.
When Jesus came to earth, He showed us that God no longer lives in beautiful buildings that can be destroyed. He lives in us by the presence of His Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). And now, we show honor for God by keeping our “temples” clean. As we follow the instructions we find in Scripture and seek His ways as He empowers us, we reveal His beauty within us! (Ephesians 2:10). —Ruth O’Reilly-Smith
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Why are you living in luxurious houses while my house lies in ruins? (v.4).
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Read 2 Corinthians 6:16 and Ephesians 2:22 for more about how we are God’s house on earth— representing Him in our bodies through the Holy Spirit.
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How have you neglected your personal version of God’s house? What will it take to reflect Him authentically through your body?
