In the book of Kings, there is a detailed description of the Temple Solomon built for God. Elaborate to a fault--the finest of the grandest. Every single detail is beyond my comprehension. Gold inlays, cedar walls, the finest stones, and on and on. No expense was spared and the greatest workmen were assigned the task. NOW, in all truth, my mind immediately went to the cleaning requirements for all of this---SIGH. Inside this elaborate temple was the inner sanctum-the Most Holy Place. God was present in this beautiful space, and man, except for one assigned priest, dared not enter.
Churches have had a huge change in my lifetime. As a girl and up until my young adulthood, churches were still considered a place of reverence. Today, they remind me of a concert venue. The church I attend has no visible crosses, no art of the faith, no outer sign of it being the House of God. NOW, before you jump me, I do understand when the curtain was torn as Jesus sacrificed for us all--we are all allowed in the presence of God (figuratively). BUT---when the building could very well be a concert hall, I begin to wonder if we failing to teach the reverence we should approach our Holy God with by having a spirit of reverence within the walls of the sanctuary (it is no longer called that). When we walk in with our coffee in our hands for our refreshments does this signify a dumbing down of awe of God Most High? Personally I miss the quiet upon entry--pointing us to recognize why we are there--praise of our God. Yes, there is celebrating and dancing in the Bible in honor of God, but there was also a time of worship--and awe--a reminder of Who God is and who we are. I could go on, but this is not the point of this post.
I began to think about where is the inner sanctum today? Where is that place where God is present and we stand before the Holy of Holies? It is in our heart and soul---that inner space--hidden from other men---and only God and us are present. When we stop and enter the space where we communicate with God----it is in the inner sanctum of our very being. We approach God with reverence and awe when we be still and look for His Presence in our inner being. God is present--always--but in those still quiet moments when we go to Him to talk with Him---it is the Inner Sanctum--the Holy of Holies where we meet Him. Thanks be to Jesus--that we are allowed to seek Him- ourselves--with no priest needed. We are all a part of the Priesthood as described in the Bible because of Jesus and what He did for us. So the next time you pray---remember you are in the Inner Sanctum--and the Holy God is present with you.
"But you are a chosen race,
a royal priesthood,
a holy nation,
a people for His own possession,
that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him
who called you out of darkness
into His marvelous light."
I Peter 2:9
That priceless inner sanctum where we can meet with our God and Savior. I cannot think of a more precious blessing and gift, Lulu. Have a wonderful week!
ReplyDeleteMy sentiments exactly. I miss the sense of awe and reverence of the sanctuary of the church. I am definitely old school but there is something to be said for that. I know we are to enter His courts with gladness and singing but what about His holy of holies? I believe it is there that we meet our Father, our inner sanctum. Thinking on these things. Beautiful post, Loralu. Still miss you.
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