Daily Devotional

I remember the day I visited the Temple Mount in Jerusalem.  Our guide first led us through the checkpoint. My thoughts were in a swirl, as I approached the steps leading up to the Mount. “This is real…I am climbing the steps to the Temple Mount!” My heart cries out, “thank you God for this tremendous privilege!” At the top, I gaze across the vast area. There is no Temple here, only a Mosque. My thoughts capture the past present and future purpose of this Holy place.

In I Kings 6:21-22 the construction of Solomon’s temple is described: “And Solomon overlaid the inside of the house with pure gold, and he drew chains of gold across, in front of the inner sanctuary, and overlaid it with gold. And he overlaid the whole house with gold, until all the house was finished. Also, the whole alter that belonged to the inner sanctuary he overlaid with gold." Then after the seven years of construction Solomon declares in I Kings 8:60-61, “That all the peoples of the earth may know that the Lord is God; there is no other. Let your heart therefore be wholly true to the Lord our God, walking in his statutes and keeping his commandments, as at this day.”

I wonder what it would be like to walk up to Solomon’s Temple. The dimensions, the artistry, the gold.  All of this declaring that the Lord is God; there is no other! As I walk with the tour group to the far end my heart declares my devotion to the one true God.
 
When I accepted Jesus Christ, I became God’s child. The Holy Spirit took residence in my heart. 1 Corinthians 3:16 says, “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?” I do not need to go to Jerusalem to worship. God is with me always, wherever I go. I can talk to Him anytime I want. He speaks to my heart and teaches me how to live. The wonder of this truth moves me to tears at times. I am so blessed.

Our tour is heading down the back steps. This experience will bless me forever, but I know that God’s Spirit dwells in me. I leave the Temple Mount behind, knowing that I am God’s Temple.

For Parents:

1. Ask your children questions like: What did Jesus do for you? How do you become a Christian? How does the Holy Spirit help us? Let your children develop naturally in their understanding and ability to express the salvation message. Don’t push, just allow them to naturally absorb these wonderful truths.  As your children grow in their understanding their ability to express their faith will grow.  That’s why you should speak of the Salvation message often.

2. Make a model of Solomon’s Temple or draw it. Don’t forget the gold!

English Standard Version (ESV)
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.