In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken by Jeremiah, the LORD moved the heart of Cyrus king of Persia to make a proclamation throughout his realm: …“‘The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and he has appointed me to build a temple for him at Jerusalem in Judah.’”

Ezra 1:1-2  

My summer reading showered me with surprise this year ladies. First, the book of Haggai in our June study. Then I was handed the historical novel by Lynn Austin, Return to Me, (Bethany House 2013). Don’t you just love God’s coincidences!

If you are familiar with Old Testament history, you know the nation of Israel divided following the reigns of kings David and Solomon. Before long the northern kingdom was annihilated, and the southern exiled to Babylon with this promise from the LORD: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my gracious promise to bring you back to this place” (Jeremiah 29:10). And so it happened.

As Austin fleshed out the drama, she caught my attention with this interesting question (p.403): “Why did God need the temple rebuilt?” After all, Solomon’s prayer at the dedication of the first temple was this: “The heavens, even the highest heaven, cannot contain you. How much less this temple I have built!” (1 Kings 8:27). Her researched conclusion: “We’re the ones who need it, not Him.”

Fast forward to today. The church is so under attack. How often have you heard the words hypocrite and church in the same sentence? How many times have your friends told you they worship God best on the golf course or at the beach? 

God plainly says, Let us not give up worshipping together, as some are in the habit of doing, but spurring each other on (MSG), as you see the Day approaching (Hebrews 10:25). Worshipping together can be electric. We encourage each other. Sometimes we require a gentle spur in the proverbial side. Rebuilding is of the essence.

Besides which, your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19). Withdraw into that inner sanctum and you become positively charged with the things of God. Holiness seeps out and He becomes even more evident. Then, to God be the glory!

Nancy P

All Scripture quotations are from the NIV 1973, 1978, 1984, unless otherwise noted.