“16 The Temple of God was then dedicated with great joy by the people of Israel, the priests, the Levites, and the rest of the people who had returned from exile.” - Ezra 6:16 (NLT)
TIMELESS Truths from the Completion and Consecration of the Temple vv 16-21.
Symbols of consecration reminded them that this event was dedicated to the glory of God...not a ritual without significant spiritual meaning reminding them and the next generations that GOD is SOVEREIGN! The spirituality of this act of consecration is by faith...taking part and being a part of God's desire to relate with His people. Above the rituals is an invitation to attend to the Presence of God among the community whose hearts He stirred; whose plans He stopped.
Celebration is a very important part of the long journey to Obedience. God is a God who authored celebration. He commands it to His people. To postpone or deny ourselves of a celebration that honors God is not godly response! Since when did you and your family stop celebrating? We don't celebrate our achievements...we celebrate exuberantly the grace and goodness of God. We don't celebrate sin, we celebrate the Saviour! To the Jews, pass over to the Christian faith at Calvary!
All celebration leads to the cross, the empty tomb, and one glorious day a grand celebration of all the redeemed from all races singing in their own tongue "Hallelujah to The Lamb"
It’s a feast, not a funeral. Celebrate!
It’s about forgiveness and freedom in Christ, not strict rules of religion. Celebrate!
It’s about authentic conversion and credible transformation. Celebrate!
It’s about God's favors causing the mighty to do the will of the Almighty v 22. Celebrate!
It’s about a life of faith instead of fear! Celebrate!
The completion of the Lord's temple is a timely reminder that whatever happens and no matter how long it takes, beyond our lifetime or within, God will finish His project. Worship and bow down...it’s not about you and me!
Projects done through God's grace must not become an end in itself that they become monuments, not of our achievements but as the mighty movement of God's Spirit inviting many to encounter His Presence!
The Presence of GOD, though holy and demanding reverence, is also an invitation to rejoice and exuberantly celebrate. Joy and rejoicing is an unmistakable mark of people who have come from the Presence of God.
In Jesus Christ, God's purpose is accomplished. Through the Holy Spirit, He resides within us, the new temple of the Lord! Through Jesus Christ’s blood shed at the cross, we who believe can approach the holiest throne of Abba minus the Priest and fixers in between! CELEBRATE!
Thanks for reading things, I write straight from my heart. Let’s find time soon to celebrate what God has done in our lives!