Saturday 11 January 2020

Psalm: Psalm 116

Background

The image set before us in the passage set for today is an image that can set our minds reeling.

Ezekiel has come to the newly finished temple, just a building it would seem from the previous chapter, all the walls measured and truly built in order for it to become a true place of worship for the Jewish people. It has been re-built after the major destruction of the past and the prophet is having the building demonstrated to him. After walking through the premises, no doubt in awe at the wonder of the work that had been achieved, the man showing him round and Ezekiel arrive at the gate, the one which faces east, perhaps the sun was rising. It is clear that a vision of God’s glory appears to them, not just the wonder of the light shining through but the sound of “mighty waters”, and Ezekiel is reminded of the day when the city was destroyed and he thought that God had reaped vengeance upon his unfaithful people.

Now, his spirit is lifted as he sees not only the wonder of the work of human hands in rebuilding the place of God in the city, but in realising that God himself had not departed from his people but was there. The words read, “As the glory of the Lord entered the temple by the gate facing east the spirit lifted me up, and brought me into the inner court, and the glory of the Lord filled the temple.“

Here was a new beginning, the opportunity for the people to return to the will of God in a special way; a new opportunity to turn to faith and keep within that faith and in obedience to their creator.

To Ponder:

• Have you ever walked into a building, especially perhaps a great cathedral or place of worship, and find yourself overwhelmed by the presence of God?
• Do we sometimes find ourselves similarly overwhelmed in one of nature’s cathedrals?
• What can we do to bring the awesomeness and the glory of God to the people who have not yet found him in our neighbourhood and our world today?