Read: 2 Chronicles 2-5
Focus Verse: “Now I am about to build a temple for the Name of the LORD my God and to dedicate it to him for burning fragrant incense before him, for setting out the consecrated bread regularly, and for making burnt offerings every morning and evening and on the Sabbaths, at the New Moons and at the appointed festivals of the LORD our God. This is a lasting ordinance for Israel.” (2 Chronicles 2:4).
Devotion: This was the temple’s function and purpose for God and Israel. What of this relates to our church buildings? Does it? Should it even be taken as a lesson of facility function? Here the function is to gather for sacrifices (an act of repentance and worship), and to praise God (the fragrance fits a gift of pleasing aromas). I don’t see mercy missions, but I see a place God is shown to ALL people as the greatest god (2:5). Christians need to take up mercy missions as individuals in our daily lives, and group up to do them together to transform the world for the Kingdom. I’m not saying the ‘church’ shouldn’t or can’t do mercy missions, but the church (staff, building, or the leadership of the church) should not be the focus of all missional attempt. In my opinion the primary function of the gathered church is worshiping God! Then we go out into the world together on a mission, all of us together. Both need to happen, but I see one more as the primary function of the building and the gathered church. The reason we gather at the church is to worship and sacrifice ourselves to God. We do ministry out in the world.
Pray: LORD I don’t know, grant me wisdom so I can learn how to worship and follow You. God help me to see what true worship is, help me see the role of mercy mission in our worship, and help me see how to empower all Christians around me to join in the mission work needed in our communities. Amen.
Additional Scripture: “Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.” (Romans 12:2)