GOD’S TEMPLES
Today’s Reading: Ezekiel 41-43
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
Looking towards the walls of the Old City of Jerusalem, you can see an entrance where visitors can go deep into King Solomon’s Quarries, also known as Zedekiah’s Cave. The stones for Solomon’s Temple are believed to have been hewn from this quarry around 970 BC (1 Kings 6:1). As evident in today’s reading, God pays careful attention to detail when giving instructions in the construction of His temples.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verses: Ezekiel 43:5
The Spirit lifted me up and brought me into the inner court; and behold, the glory of the Lord filled the temple.
Twenty-five years had passed since the first captives were brought to Babylon from Jerusalem, and approximately ten years since the magnificent Temple built by Solomon had been totally destroyed. Ezekiel’s vision of a new Temple must have brought much-needed encouragement to the Jewish exiles. Daniel, who became governor of one-third of the Persian empire, would have read Ezekiel’s writings and perhaps had these words in mind as he opened his window three times each day and prayed while looking in the direction of Jerusalem (Daniel 6:10-13). No doubt the content of Daniel’s prayers would have included the rebuilding of the Temple and the return of the glory of the Lord to the Jerusalem Temple. A suggested New Testament reading could be Hebrews 9:6-28.
We, as believers in Jesus, the One of whom John wrote, should be able to say with John, “We beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father” (John 1:14b). In Scripture, we are called God’s temples in which He dwells (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). God, who pays such close attention to the details of a building as described by Ezekiel, surely pays close attention to the building of His human temples. God has a design blueprint for our individual lives, His temples!!!
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, You have a plan for my life, and You are in the construction business. I welcome You to take complete charge of my life, Your temple. I pray that as a “living stone” I’ll not walk away from You as You place me where You want me (read 1 Peter 2:4-7). Lord Jesus, You are the “Chief Cornerstone,” and I pray in Your Name. Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I’ve had the privilege of visiting some of the great cathedrals of Europe, marvelling at the overall grandeur and also at the amazing attention to detail. The sculptures depicting Bible stories are everywhere. These visuals taught Bible stories to generations of people who were unable to read the Scriptures for themselves. I think that the construction of the Jerusalem Temples had the same visual purpose. As a 10 and 11-year-old boy, I had a job after school delivering letterhead stationery to Members of Parliament in Ottawa. The print shop would pay me a few cents for each delivery. Up the elevators and down the bannisters I would go, all the time learning from the amazing features of the buildings and sculptures which taught me some of the history of Canada.
Yours for following God’s detailed plans for all His temples, including each one of us,
David
Thank You, Father, for Your care for even the smallest parts of Your creation. Use us in good ways, we ask in Jesus’s great name, amen
An incredible amount of detail describing the temple. Really mind boggling! How amazing the details are. What a wonderful opportunity David had to see the parliament and the Christian foundation of our country. Thank you Maines family for making this blog available. I would like to ask for prayer for my daughter & her husband who are presently in Cambodia (a Communist country). They previously worked there for 10 years. I don’t know why they are there just now. 3 of their children are studying in Europe. I’m concerned for their safety and their health (COVID-19). Thanks. Blessings all,
Doreen, praying for your daughter and family. May our Heavenly Father Bless them and keep them secure.
May they all experience the peace of God…Lord, bring Doreen’s beloved daughter, her son-in-law and their children back home safely to Canada.. in Jesus great name we pray, and for His sake. Amen
Thank you Anne. The Lord is with us. That’s very important. Bless you and family/friends.
Amen and will be praying for your daughter for protection for her and her family. Very unsettling times. We must hold strong to our faith
Lord, as David wrote in his blog today….. You have a design blueprint for our individual lives.
This brings hope and comfort to our hearts, help us Lord to put our trust in You alone.
We pray for our world, especially for those who are in pain, or living in fear, or hungry, or fleeing for their lives as in the Ukraine.
Father, will you guide, and guard and may Your will be done!
Anne, Amen to your prayer, in Jesus’ Holy Name.
To God be the Glory for evermore, Amen.
For the 14th day from the “prayer Map of Canada”
1. Pray for those who serve with denominations and Christian organizations in Canada – that God will bless their ministry and anoint them for effective service.
2. Pray for God’s kingdom to come in your home, neighbourhodd, city or community , and in our nation. ( Matthew 6:10)
I must have missed hitting “post comment” yesterday as i see the 13th day for the “Prayer Map of Canada” did not post.
1. Pray that, with God’s help, children and young people will be able to journey with hope towards the destiny God has for each of them.
2. Pray for Newfoundland and Labrador.
Pray for the leaders of the province, that God’s Spirit would influence them to act justly, serve with integrity and honour high moral standards. (1 Timothy 2:1-4)
Pray for the churches of the province, that they would be lighthouses beaming forth the illuminating truth of God’s Word.
Lord, in Your Mercy, hear the cries of Your people….
We thank You for Charlene posting the Prayer Map that journeys across our Country, Canada. We thank You for the Prayers issued by all the Bloggers. Protect, Lead and Guide all Your People (Doreen’s family), in all ways. You know the plans that You have for ALL. May Your Will be done. May all that partake in David’s Blog be Comforted. May we continue to “ rejoice in Hope and be patient in tribulation and constant in Prayer…”(Rom.12:12).
A friend sent a Note yesterday that many churches, in Calgary, will be sounding their bells at Noon on Friday, in support for those Ukrainian people who are undergoing this horrific suffering/war. May the Unity in Spirit resound throughout all the world!
Another surprising detail from David’s life. 🙂
Just a reminder for Doreen and other bloggers the importance of reading out loud
Psalm 91 (the new living translation) is a good one to read from, however, if you have another translation, they are all good.
Yes, for the daily love and protection over our families, our selves and our Country.
God’s Word when spoken out loud will not return unto Him void. Isaiah 55:11