Narrative Lectionary Key Verse for Today
“But now the Lord my God has given me rest on every side; there is neither adversary nor misfortune. So I intend to build a house for the name of the Lord my God, as the Lord said to my father David, ‘Your son, whom I will set on your throne in your place, shall build the house for my name.’”
NL Daily Devotion for Sunday, October 31, 2021
by Dr. Kimberly Leetch, Clergy Stuff
Main Idea: God’s house is a place to celebrate and honor God’s covenant with us.
The temple that Solomon built was not simply a house in which to worship. It was built to honor the covenant between God and God’s people. It was a place to house the Ark of the Covenant – a reminder that God was their God and they were God’s people. The temple itself was never meant to be worshiped – it was meant to give the people a place to worship the God of the covenant.
What is taught in your place of worship? It is a place where the tapestries are more important than the people who like or dislike the tapestries? Is it a place where the “shoulds” and “should-nots” speak louder than the covenant of forgiveness? Is it a place that excludes outside groups to preserve the integrity of the carpet?
Or is your place of worship a place where people of different colors, genders, ages, sexual preferences, or abilities share the same pews? Is it a place where the cries and coos of children are holy noise? Is it a landing place where disciples then go out into the world to do God’s work? Is it a place where God’s covenant with the world is proclaimed, and God’s love is honored and accepted with humility and grace?
There is nothing inherently wrong with golden cherubim with giant wingspans or antique altars donated by generous memorial gifts of ages past. The question is whether people put in perspective the things of the building and recognize the building is a meeting place to celebrate the covenant God has made with us.