CAC Living Water Daily Devotional | Tuesday, November 23, 2021 | Be A Fortified Temple
Topic: Be A Fortified Temple
Date: Tuesday, November 23, 2021
Read: Ezra 3:7-13
Ezra 3:7-13 They gave money also unto the masons, and to the carpenters; and meat, and drink, and oil, unto them of Zidon, and to them of Tyre, to bring cedar trees from Lebanon to the sea of Joppa, according to the grant that they had of Cyrus king of Persia.
Now in the second year of their coming unto the house of God at Jerusalem, in the second month, began Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and the remnant of their brethren the priests and the Levites, and all they that were come out of the captivity unto Jerusalem; and appointed the Levites, from twenty years old and upward, to set forward the work of the house of the LORD.
Then stood Jeshua with his sons and his brethren, Kadmiel and his sons, the sons of Judah, together, to set forward the workmen in the house of God: the sons of Henadad, with their sons and their brethren the Levites.
And when the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the LORD, they set the priests in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites the sons of Asaph with cymbals, to praise the LORD, after the ordinance of David king of Israel.
And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the LORD; because he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid.
But many of the priests and Levites and chief of the fathers, who were ancient men, that had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice; and many shouted aloud for joy:
So that the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the people: for the people shouted with a loud shout, and the noise was heard afar off.
MEMORISE:
Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? (1 Corinthians 3:16)
EXPOSITION
The temple is a special building built, and dedicated, or set apart only for the worship of God. The Temple built by King Solomon is among the wonders of the ancient world; it was a master piece of beauty that non like it was ever built again in the history of human beings.
The new temple being built by the returned exiles fell short of the Solomon temple as the older priest and Levites who saw the former temple wept (verse 12). God’s temple should occupy a very important place in our lives, just like the people of God. This is because it is the house of God (Acts. 17:24). The place where our sacrifices are to be made to God in worship. A place, a building eternal relationship.
The Church, body of Christ, no longer idolise the physical temple again today (1 Cor. 3:16,17). The Spirit of God now resides in the believers, who are the temple of the living God. As God’s holy temple, you must present yourself to God as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God (Romans 12:1-2). It is possible as God’s temple that you are damaged, or functional (fortified) (2 Cor. 5:13). Sin, devil and the world are those things that damage God’s presence in the life of a Christian. God wants to reside in you but His holiness cannot condone sin. Before you can enjoy God’s presence, power and glory, you must live for Him as you allow Him to dwell in you.
More attention should be paid to discipleship programmes at the local level so that the people (the Building) can be sufficiently built for the OWNER’S habitation (1 Cor. 3:9; Eph. 2:20-22).
PRAYER POINTS
1. Lord, make me Your sanctuary, a holy habitation for You.
2. Lord, don’t allow me to be desolate and destroyed as Your temple.
3. Help believers to present themselves to You, O God, holy and acceptable sacrifices.
EXTRA READING FOR TODAY: Ezekiel 12:8 – 14:19; James 1:16 – 2:9
Author: Christ Apostolic Church [Worldwide]