House of Go(l)d
In my younger years, there was a little book titled “House of Go(l)d”.
I received that booklet when a miniature version of the ancient Old Testament Tabernacle visited my church. It was a beautiful model of what that Tabernacle must have looked like!
I had to think about it again recently… because that Tabernacle was a house of God.
- Every detail was crafted with perfection to build that Tabernacle for God. His house deserves quality.
- The workers were held to strict standards, as one does not simply allow anyone to construct a makeshift box for God with questionable quality.
- Visitors were also given clear and justified requirements to meet, as they were entering the house of God.
- If one failed to adhere to the rules of God’s house, it could lead to dire consequences, even resulting in death (2 Samuel 6:1-7, 2 Chronicles 26:16-21, 1 Chronicles 13:9-12, Leviticus 10:1-21, Samuel 2:12-17, 1 Samuel 4:11 and more).
A while back, I visited a church:
- where 80% of the attendees found it acceptable to arrive late…
- where people chatted with each other during prayer…
- where individuals walked out of the church in the middle of the service…
- where they fiddled with social media during the sermon…
- where the “music” was an assault on the ears…
- where the sermon focused on the “experiences” of the pastor, and only one Bible verse was referenced, out of context, halfway through the sermon…and the sermon was for “us” and what we would like to get from God… and not about us giving glory to God.
- where people walked around in such tight clothing that I had no doubt about whether or not they were wearing any underwear…
- with the people what were on stage putting on a show, performing solos like “look at me now”…
What would God think of our behavior today in His church? Why do we even go to Church? For “me” or for giving God the glory? What is the sermon about? Is it all about “us”, or is it about God? Do we still understand that it is God’s house? That He is the Holy, Holy, Holy God? That we do not go there for our own enjoyment, but to honor Him? Do we give Him the honor that is due to Him in His church through what we wear and what we do? On and off the stage?
Something to reflect on… It is His house….for His glory only, not our house for our glory or fun…
