Tent, Temple, Jesus

February 3, 2020
Today’s devotion is based on Psalm 84:10-12. “For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness. For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor. No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly. O LORD of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in You!”

To the people of Isreal, the temple was where God resided. That is why the writer of this psalm wrote these words. Since Jesus came and dwelt among, not in a tabernacle or temple of stone, not in a cloud of glory or pillar of fire, but in the flesh, we no longer have to go to a temple. We can now approach God in prayer and praise wherever we are, wherever the Word of God is read or spoken.
This does not mean that we can forsake attending our local house of worship, for there we can commune with him in the Lord’s Supper when we receive his body and blood in the bread and wine. The receiving of his body and blood is a mystery we will never understand but in receiving it we can say as Simeon said when he held the baby Jesus so long ago, "Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory to your people Israel.”

Please pray with me the prayer for today. Heavenly Father, creator, and sustainer of all things, seen and unseen, thank you for giving us your beloved Son, Jesus. He is your light, shield, and the door to eternal life. Without him, we can not be accepted by you. With him, we know that you will accept us on Judgment Day. We give you grateful praise, now and for all eternity. Amen.