Last Sunday my pastor reminded us that Pentecost continues - it was not just one Sunday. 1 Corinthians 3:16, “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” I think this has been one of the many blessings we have learned during the pandemic. It is not our church building - although we cannot wait to go in there! We are the temple and that is evident when we worship on Sunday mornings in our homes or on the lawn of our church! The Holy Spirit is there! Another blessing is the many people who are watching online from other cities, states and countries.
One of my pastor's got an email from a lady, out of state, who had been watching his Bible study and devotionals online. She also sent a picture of her sister who is a nurse working long hours. It said, “I want to thank you all for the internet experience of the Bible Study and devotional. The picture is of my sister, getting ready for her ER shift this afternoon. She has been following you via the internet. Sometimes watching both Sunday services. Today she wrote: ‘thank you. I woke in great peace today, feeling playful, and realized why would I not ask for spiritual assistance. That's what prayer is for."
I like what Rick Warren said. “Happy moments, praise God. Difficult moments, seek God. Quiet moments, worship God. Painful moments, trust God. Every moment, thank God.” Faith is praising God in the storm. Trusting Him in the valley and following Him in the darkness. God will be faithful! And He will give us peace.
My pastor said the Glory of the Lord was the term given to the tangible presence of the Spirit of God in a specific place. We see God’s Glory as a cloud of God’s presence. The acts of Praise welcomes the Glory of God into the temple. We are told that God’s glory filled the temple in 2 Chronicles 5: 13. “indeed it came to pass, when the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD, and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and praised the LORD, saying: For He is good, For His mercy endures forever,’ that the house, the house of the LORD was filled with a cloud, so that the priest could not continue ministering because of the cloud; for the glory of the LORD filled the house of God.” The tangible presence of the LORD was manifested and poured out when the instruments were used to praise God.”
I bet the whole neighborhood heard us last Sunday as we learned about praising God. Psalm 150. “Praise the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens. Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness. Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre, praise him with timbrel and dancing, praise him with the strings and pipe, praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals. Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord.” As each instrument was named, our praise band praised God with their music.
During this time of unrest and hurt we should be praying and praising! 2 Chronicles 7:14, “if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” As the nurse said, “why not ask for spiritual assistance?” She woke up in great peace! We are God’s Temple and it is time for us to be the Temple that God designed us to be! Let every breath praise God!
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