SCRIPTURE:
"Then the man brought me to the gate facing east, and I saw the glory of the God of Israel coming from the east. His voice was like the roar of rushing waters, and the land was radiant with his glory. The vision I saw was like the vision I had seen when he came to destroy the city and like the visions I had seen by the Kebar River, and I fell facedown. The glory of the Lord entered the temple through the gate facing east. Then the Spirit lifted me up and brought me into the inner court, and the glory of the Lord filled the temple."
Ezekiel 43:1-5
OBSERVATION:
The glory of God was now returning to the temple from the way in which it had previously left. The glory of God has been described in many different ways, yet as we read in these verses, one will notice descriptive words of hearing, seeing and feeling. In many ways, the glory of God is experiential.
APPLICATION:
Without God’s presence, our places of worship would simply be any other building. It’s His presence that changes the atmosphere.
One of the things I am grateful for is our church. There have been too many times to count where I have felt His presence during worship, prayer and messages. As a young believer, I negated the importance of the house of the Lord.
If I was struggling with something, felt anxious or upset, I’d make any excuse not to go to church. And the sad thing is things would usually get worse. As I grew in my walk, I’d often find that there was something the Lord had for me when I’d fight through and make it a priority to go. Something in worship or the Word would speak directly to my heart and I’d feel His presence washing over me.
One of the things I’ve learned over the years is the place we may be avoiding could very well be exactly where we need to go.
PRAYER:
Father Almighty. Forgive me Lord for times when I have made excuses to avoid the places You have been calling me to. Thank You for our Church and the family of believers You have surrounded me with. May I continue to run towards Your presence and not away from it, this I pray, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
