Touching the House of God

This morning, I read the sections in 1 Kings 3-6 and 2 Chronicles 2-3 about the temple Solomon built. As I read, I pondered the appearance of cedar walls and cypress floors. A few verses later, I was reminded that, though Solomon imported cedar and cypress for walls and floors, the boards were not left bare. They were carved with images of cherubim, palm trees, and open flowers, then overlaid with gold. As I read it, all the floors and walls were covered with gold.

I hate to admit this, because I do plan to spend eternity with God in heaven, but, for the tiniest of moments, I wondered if that looked a little gaudy. Of course it didn't, because, instantly, I was reminded of those heavenly streets paved with gold. Heaven is a breathtakingly beautiful place, and Solomon's temple was, too.

You know it was, because God dwelt there. Of course, He's everywhere, but His Spirit filled that temple, and the Presence must have been overwhelming

You probably remember that Solomon's temple was destroyed. The second temple (really the third temple, but we call it the second temple) was built by Herod. It, too, has been destroyed, but the Western Wall remains today, as does the Western Wall tunnel. It's the closest we can get to what was once the Holy of Holies.  

As I read about the temple this morning, I realized I have touched the literal stones of Herod's literal temple with my very own hands. 

I have touched the back wall of the Holy of Holies. 

I have touched the house of God.

That fact astounds me. 

I went to Israel for one main reason. (There were many other reasons, of course, but this is the one that made up my mind for me.) 

At the dedication of the temple, Solomon prayed the biggest prayer he could pray, and he included me in it.

"Also concerning the foreigner who is not from Thy people Israel, when he comes from a far country for Thy great name's sake and Thy mighty hand and Thine outstretched arm, when the come and pray toward this house, then hear Thou from heaven, from Thy dwelling place, and do according to all the foreigner calls to Thee, in order that all the peoples of the earth may know Thy name, and fear Thee, as do Thy people Israel, and that they may know that this house which I have built is called by Thy name." 2 Chronicles 6:32-33 nasb

Please don't misunderstand what I'm saying. I certainly don't believe that God hears my prayers any less because I pray in Mississippi instead of in Israel, nor that touching an old stone would guarantee an answer to my prayer. 

I saw those verses, realized I was the foreigner who could come from a far country. I was the one who could pray in that place. Those words rang in my heart and I felt God might use my trip, and my time of prayer, to do something special. 

And He did. 

He did a profound work in my heart. He hasn't answered all the prayers I prayed at the Western Wall Tunnel. Yet. But I still believe He will.

I believe that, because I believe God answers all prayers. Yes. No. Later. I believe He hears our prayers and answers them. One way or another. I believe He will respond to the prayers I've prayed this morning and the ones I prayed as I laid, face-down, on the stones of the Western Wall Tunnel three years ago. 

"O Thou who dost hear prayer, to Thee all men come." Psalm 65:2 nasb

God responded to that big prayer Solomon prayed, and it's one of the verses I depend upon. Especially in these tumultuous times.

"If My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray, and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."

2 Chronicles 7:14 nasb

When we pray, God hears us. When He hears us, He responds. Regardless of the "size" of our need, our burden, our hurt, or our guilt, we can take it to our God and know that He can handle it. He will help us. He will carry us through. 

Today, let's take all the burdens in our heart to our Heavenly Father and leave them with Him. 

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Phillipians 4:6-7 nasb

This is the Western Wall, the most sacred site in Judaism and in Christianity. You can see that the area is divided into two sections. Men pray in the area to the left and women pray in the section to the right. Many people write prayers on slips of paper and slip them between the stones. More than a million prayers are left there each year.

Western Wall tunnel stones.
Women sit in the tunnel throughout the day as they read the Psalms and pray.

If you're interested in a "virtual tour" of the Western Wall and the Western Wall Tunnel, here are a couple of links you can follow:

http://www.businessinsider.com/western-wall-tunnels-israel-jerusalem-temple-photos-2013-1

http://www.aish.com/sem/wtt/82579377.html?mobile=yes
___________________
In case you missed it, here's the link to yesterday's post: The Shepherd's Shepherd 
(http://leannahollis.blogspot.com/2016/05/the-shepherds-shepherd.html)
If you're following the Hosea study, the link for Chapter Four will be available later today.
http://lessonsindiscipleship.blogspot.com 
#prayer #Israel #temple #westernwall

The Wonder Girls Take a Walk

Martha Stewart's Living magazine for September 2014 included an article entitled "Wish You Were (Still) Here" by Monica M. Willis. The topic was dogs missing their owners and the recommendation was, among other things, to exercise your dog. "Panting-tired" should be the goal. Since I'm still trying to get 10,000 steps in per day, and I'm chronically short, I have to finish up after dinner most days. 

I looked at the dogs and said, "Let's go, girls. We've got nearly 5,000 steps to get done." You may not believe this, but Maggie the Wonder Dog and Mamie the Apprentice Wonder Puppy live with me, and they knew exactly what I was talking about. (I admit it crossed my mind that 5,000 steps might also equal panting-tired, and I was eager to see, but I did not tell the dogs!) 

We headed out and started walking. After  we hit the 7,500 steps point, Mamie was panting-tired and had to take a little break. 

It wasn't long before she rejoined Maggie and me and was off again. About the 8,000 steps point, Maggie hit panting-tired and stopped for a break. 

The instant they got tired, down they went, stretched out and resting. In just a few minutes, they were up and going happily along again. Frankly, that is not my way. I prefer to go wide open until I collapse and need resuscitation. (Well, very nearly) I hate to admit it, but my way may not work all that well. I'm pretty sure the Wonder Girls way is decidedly better. 

Tonight, Maggie and Mamie were slowing down and clearly tired by 8,250 steps, so I said, "Let's take a break, girls. I don't have to get 10,000 steps tonight."  Everyone headed inside, had a drink of water and rested. 

Now here is where you are just gonna have to believe me. I was resting in my big green chair when Maggie the Wonder Dog started scratching on my leg, trying to get me to follow her. It turned out she wanted to go for a walk.  I guess she wanted to be sure I got that last 1,750 steps. Off we went. I finished my 10,000 steps, Wonder Dog and her Apprentice Wonder Puppy both got "panting-tired", and all three of us were as happy as could be!

We could take a lesson from these little Wonder Dogs. There is something amazing about the divine plan of physical labor and rest. We need both to be healthy.  If the Wonder Girls are any example, that holy combination will not only make us healthy, it will leave us happy, energized, and sleeping like a baby, as well.  

In the words of Maggie and Mamie, "Woof! Woof!" Get started and get going! 

You realize, don’t you, that you are the temple of God, and God himself is present in you? ... God’s temple is sacred—and you, remember, are the temple (1 Corinthians 3:16-17 MSG)

Prayers in the House (Luke 4:15)

Part 2
And He began teaching in their synagogues and was praised by all. (Luke 4:15 NASB)

...do not touch any man on whom is the mark; and you shall start from My sanctuary." So they started with the elders who were before the temple. (Ezekiel 9:6 NASB)

Centuries before the arrival of Messiah, Ezekiel had a vision of the destruction of Jerusalem. In it, he saw a man dressed in linen (priestly garments) with a writing case (Lamb's Book of Life) at his side. (Ezekiel 9:1-6) The man in linen (Jesus, our Great High Priest) was instructed to go through the city (Jerusalem) and put a mark on every one of those "who sigh and groan over all the abominations being committed in its midst". The mark would protect them from destruction. He was to start at the temple, where the people who say they belong to God, have assembled. Judgement was coming, the vision said, and it would begin at the House of God.

The man in linen clearly marked all those who were His... He missed no one, because He had the writing case and could be assured of who was to receive His mark.  He began at the temple, where, we might presume, a preponderance of God's people would be gathered. Surely God's House of Prayer would be filled with people who sigh and groan over sin. Here is the sobering reality. It was not.

The temple, God's House of Prayer, was not full of people mourning both individual and corporate sin. It was filled with people, but they were doing something else, and the price for that "something else" was destruction.

Selah.
Pause and consider.

What would we be found doing in the House of Prayer? Would our prayers of repentance be remarkable if the Man in Linen appeared?

Jesus started His ministry in the synagogues, where God's people were, because that is where He always starts. (Ezekiel 9, Revelation 7). He was looking for hearts that cared about sin and righteousness, and He still is.

Today, as we pray, let us spend time in prayer, confessing not only our own sin and that of our loved ones, but also that of our nation. Make sure that the heart God finds in us is a heart of humble and repentant prayer.