“Then the people of Israel—the priests, the Levites and the rest of the exiles—celebrated the dedication of the house of God with joy. 17For the dedication of this house of God they offered a hundred bulls, two hundred rams, four hundred male lambs and, as a sin offering for all Israel, twelve male goats, one for each of the tribes of Israel. 18And they installed the priests in their divisions and the Levites in their groups for the service of God at Jerusalem, according to what is written in the Book of Moses. 19On the fourteenth day of the first month, the exiles celebrated the Passover. 20The priests and Levites had purified themselves and were all ceremonially clean. The Levites slaughtered the Passover lamb for all the exiles, for their relatives the priests and for themselves. 21So the Israelites who had returned from the exile ate it, together with all who had separated themselves from the unclean practices of their Gentile neighbors in order to seek the Lord, the God of Israel. 22For seven days they celebrated with joy the Festival of Unleavened Bread, because the Lord had filled them with joy by changing the attitude of the king of Assyria so that he assisted them in the work on the house of God, the God of Israel.” Ezra 6:16-22 NLT
God of Glory,
The Temple is finished. That was an incredible feat with no machinery or bought in blocks of stone. And all would have to be cleaned to perfection. Although with all the sacrifices it would not have stayed that way! And passover was celebrated so they could all approach You and give thanks for being saved when the firstborn of the Egyptians died. And it was a joyful celebration. You had enabled even their enemies to help them! But the walls are not repaired . . .
I don’t think of my church as a Temple because I know I can seek You wherever I am. But it is the place I meet with my Christian family to worship, take communion, pray and study Your Word. Some churches meet in halls and schools and they cannot ensure their buildings are kept dedicated to You outside of worship. But as far as we are able and when we are at worship we can ensure there is nothing to offend You God and it is a safe place to encounter You.
My house too Lord, I pray is clean – well it is lived in and dusty and a little untidy – but I pray that there is no book or object or anything that would offend. Help me to keep my home holy. And yet welcoming and open to those who do not know You. I pray they will find Your peace, joy or whatever is their need in the home You have provided me with or the place I share with my fellow believers.
In Jesus name I pray, Amen
Worship Sunday 28th September 2025
Psalm 84:10 Better to spend one day in God’s presence than a thousand without him?
How lovely is Your dwelling place, Oh Lord Almighty
My soul longs and even faints for You
For here my heart is satisfied, within Your presence
I sing beneath the shadow of Your wings
Better is one day in Your courts
Better is one day in Your house
Better is one day in Your courts
Than thousands elsewhere
Better is one day in Your courts
Better is one day in Your house
Better is one day in Your courts
Than thousands elsewhere
One thing I ask, and I would seek, to see Your beauty,
To find You in the place Your glory dwells
Better is one day in Your courts
Chorus . . .
My heart and flesh cry out,
For You the living God
Your Spirit’s water for my soul
I’ve tasted and I’ve seen,
Come once again to me.
I will draw near to You.
I will draw near to You.
Chorus repeat . . .
Lyrics: Matthew James Redman, Bryan Felix, Joel Luis Setien, Jocelyn Felix, Will Blount