Taking Care of God’s House

A Passion for God’s Dwelling

PREVIEW: Of both David (Psalm 69:9) and Jesus (John 2:17), the Word of God says, “Zeal for your house will consume me.” So how about you? I’m not suggesting that you dance so wildly that you embarrass your spouse like David or that you take a whip to worship with you next weekend like Jesus, but what I do hope for is that the same zeal for God’s house that consumed David, and the Son of David will consume you. Me, too!

Taking Care of God’s House - Ray Noah Blog

A Journey of Worship // Psalm 132:3-5

I will not enter my house or go to my bed—I will allow no sleep to my eyes, no slumber to my eyelids, till I find a place for the LORD, a dwelling for the Mighty One of Jacob.

David had a passion for the house of God. He couldn’t tolerate the thought that as king, he would be able to build himself an unbelievably opulent palace while God’s dwelling was just a humble tent, the tabernacle, that had been used since the exodus.

Then there was the time David publicly danced with delight as the Ark of the Covenant was brought into Jerusalem to its resting place at the Tabernacle (2 Samuel 6:14). The king’s public display of affection for the Divine was so extreme that his watching wife despised David for it. But he didn’t care because his exuberance for the house of God exceeded his capacity to contain it.

David had a passion for the house of God.

David wanted desperately to build God a permanent structure—a temple. He knew God deserved the best. So, he located property for the building, but rather than throwing his royal weight around to get a good deal for it, he insisted on paying full price. He said, “I won’t offer the Lord something that has cost me nothing” (2 Samuel 24:24).

David had a passion for the house of God.

God had other plans, however, and told David that it would be his son, Solomon, who would build the temple. So, what did David do? He set about to make all the preparations for its construction in order for Solomon to have a good head start when he was inaugurated as Israel’s king (2 Chronicles 22:5).

David had a passion for the house of God.

The Son of David, Jesus, was passionate about God’s house, too. Although he predicted that not one stone of it would be left upon another because of God’s judgment against the corrupted worship that took place there (Matthew 24:2), he did his best to bring purity to it. He drove the moneychangers from the temple—and not with gentle persuasion either. He made a whip—and used it. He overturned the tables they used to carry out their shady commerce. With an illustrated sermon that no one would ever forget, Jesus cleansed the temple. (John 2:13-16)

The Son of David had a passion for the house of God!

Of both David (Psalm 69:9) and Jesus (John 2:17), the Word of God says, “Zeal for your house will consume me.”

So how about you? I’m not suggesting you dance so wildly that you embarrass your spouse or take a whip to worship with you next weekend, but what I do hope for is that the same zeal for God’s house that consumed David and the Son of David will consume you. Me, too!

May it be said of you, “Zeal for your house consumes me!”

My Offering of Worship: What is your attitude to the physical place where you worship? Because God’s people gather there and the Word of God is preached there, God has sanctified it. Do you treat it as common or holy? This next weekend, when you gather with others in your place of worship, approach it as a place that is near and dear to God’s heart.

Please note: I reserve the right to delete comments that are offensive or off-topic.

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