SCRIPTURE: 2 Chronicles 7
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
I will reject this Temple that I have made holy to honour my name. I will make it an object of mockery and ridicule among the nations. And though this Temple is impressive now, all who pass by will be appalled. They will ask, ‘Why did the Lord do such terrible things to this land and to this Temple?’ And the answer will be, ‘Because his people abandoned the Lord, the God of their ancestors, who brought them out of Egypt, and they worshiped other gods instead and bowed down to them. That is why he has brought all these disasters on them.’ [2 Chronicles 7:20-22]
On this great and wonderful day when God’s amazing presence and power is revealed in the brand new, beautiful temple, God issues a serious warning.
Is God just raining on their parade, or is this a serious concern that demands serious warning?
History shows that this is a serious warning, one that applies as much to us and our generation as it did to theirs.
Even if we do not have temples like this, our little kingdoms and palaces and dreams and schemes and programs and properties are under this warning as well.
God is not impressed by our accomplishments or possessions or successes, He wants our hearts to be sincerely devoted to Him and His world.
When we ignore or reject God, or only give Him a token place in our lives, everything begins to crumble – slowly but surely.
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones God’s messengers! How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn’t let me. And now, look, your house is abandoned and desolate. [Matthew 23:37-38]
As Jesus was leaving the Temple grounds, his disciples pointed out to him the various Temple buildings. But he responded, “Do you see all these buildings? I tell you the truth, they will be completely demolished. Not one stone will be left on top of another!” Later, Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives. His disciples came to him privately and said, “Tell us, when will all this happen? [Matthew 24:1-3]
God loves us and wants our hearts united with His in love; like a mother hen He hovers over us, drawing us into His protective care, keeping us from danger and close to His provision.
But when we refuse, when we do not let Him keep us close and safe, then He allows us to wander, to experience what life is like without Him holding things together for us.
And this is when things start to fall apart.
This applies to our experience of life: we seem to manage just fine on our own, doing our own thing and pursuing our own dreams, but eventually things start to unravel and we cry out to God for help.
This applies to our experience of church: we start with bold faith, then grow comfortable and forget about our original passion and purpose, and things start to unravel.
Sad to say, history shows that this happens to all of us; we have this destructive tendency to wander from God.
“Prone to wander, Lord I feel it, prone to leave the God I love!”
And God does not force us to stay against our will.
But when we leave, its only a matter of time before things fall apart (like this beautiful temple).
Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land. [2 Chronicles 7:14]
This promise always remains: repent, return to God, and He will welcome and restore.
Just ask the prodigal son… [Luke 15:11-31]
PRAYER:
Lord, let thy goodness, like a fetter, bind my wandering heart to thee. Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, prone to leave the God I love; here’s my heart, O take and seal it, seal it for thy courts above.