Last week we concentrated on David’s desire to have a dwelling place in God’s house and never take for granted its beauty or the opportunity to enquire of the Lord in his house. At that time God’s house was in tent form. Even so, it was more precious than any other house in Israel. We should never let God’s house lose its meaning. If it has, don’t blame God. Don’t blame others. If the mere presence of someone with a grievous spirit hinders a whole congregation, something is wrong. The power of Satan is not greater than the Spirit of God. We can still receive a blessing. The Bible says greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world—or the church.
Psalms 26: 8 Lord, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth.
I Timothy 3: 15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
From David and Paul, here are two definitions of what the house of God should be to us. The meaning of church lies not in how it looks. We can let things that we see get us down and be robbed of a blessing. David took this attitude—it wasn’t about the ornateness, how it looked. The glory and awesome majesty was not in the physical look but in the presence of God. At that time the tabernacle was an array of colors of tapestry lit by candlelight. It pleased God. The local church is designed to please God not man. That is why many churches are cold and the glory of God has departed. The church is not glorifying and pleasing God but has rather been conformed so as to please man. A user friendly church is not a house of God. It must be God friendly and kept as such for God to be pleased.
David said it is the habitation of God. Your house has your name on the deed. You have a home. God should always feel at home in his house. This is our home church, but it is God’s house. I’m glad God doesn’t do as people do and decide to quit coming to church. Our meeting here would mean nothing if God is not here. As long as we let him be Lord, it will be his house. His honor dwells here too. It’s special to be with each other here, but God’s presence is a must. Love his house. He’ll honor it.
Paul told Timothy there is a way to behave in God’s house. It’s not just God’s house during a church service. It’s his house all the time. It is a ground and pillar of truth, the foundation. Any belief and philosophy is okay with society today. People ask in frustration for a place of truth. Paul said a Bible-based church is the ground of truth. The house that honors God’s Word has the truth. The pillars give support. Truth and honesty, knowing right and wrong give stability and integrity.
It’s not only important how we behave in the house of the Lord but also our behavior toward it. God knows. It’s hypocritical not to behave right toward it. Our attitude toward God is not right if our attitude toward the church or someone in it is not right. Our behavior to the house and each other reflects our behavior toward God. We’re not perfect, but God is. We may not have the most ornate house, but if God is pleased to dwell here I want to honor it. We can get a blessing. We can help each other. It’s a lot more than just a “church.” Being a member is special. Sundays are special. God’s day and his time are precious and should not be wasted.
David loved God’s house. God loves his house. He looks for us to be here. He’s pleased when we are.
Next time I want us to look specifically at the place God’s house should hold before we get here, while we’re here and when a service is over.
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 