“And when He had sent them away, He departed into a mountain to pray.” Mark 6:46
Dear Ones:
When Israel came out of Egypt, the Lord instructed Moses to build a tabernacle, or “tent of meeting.” It was to be both a picture and a path, for Israel to know the living God. It was a picture, for in its configuration and structure was revealed the FACT that man could know God in a very certain way. With regard to it being a path, the WAY of God was revealed to man in order to know Him. If we were to sum up the total of the tabernacle’s meaning and purpose, it might be to say that it represented the revelation of God to man, and the unveiling of His way, according to which man could truly know God by worshiping Him.
During the reign of Solomon, David’s son, there would be built the first temple. It would be, to a great extent, an amplification of the original tabernacle, and far more “glorious.” It would be like the crescendo of heavenly music, rising to the heights to reveal the glory of God, and the certainty of knowing Him. Many years later, after the temple of Solomon had been destroyed because of Israel’s disobedience, and the embracing of other gods, there would arise another temple. It would not rise to the level of the physical glory of the first temple, but it would represent the same meaning…the CERTAINTY that man could know God by the worship of Him, according to His ways. Jesus would later make it ever so clear that worship was fundamental, and of primary importance, to know, and consequently, serve God. It is one thing to come to that place of realizing this, and practicing worship as the first thing. It is quite another to protect worship against the intrusiveness of the world, and the opposition posed by the enemy.
In Nehemiah’s day, Israel had been scattered over the then known world. Many had been taken into, and remained, in captivity. The temple had been rebuilt, however the walls of the city were broken down. Unbelievers and enemies of Israel in that day had almost free reign to restrict worship, or diminish its effect, by the intrusion of their false ideas of God, and His ways. The place of worship was assailed by the enemy, to dilute the worship of God. It would be at this time that Nehemiah, along with other believers, would seek God for the building of the wall. Why? Again, it one thing to have a place where one worships God. It is quite another to maintain, keep, and protect, that place and time for worship. In this case, a wall was essential to protect worship.
Daniel too was an exile like Nehemiah. He was a man who had come to learn at an early age that God can be known, even in a distant land. Throughout his life, he developed a life of worship. It was in the act of that worship of God, that God became an increasing reality for him. God gave to him a clear vision of who He was, and with that, a knowledge of His ways. This would be a prize, a treasure, that he would not forfeit. Thus, when he was an older man, he would choose to worship God three times a day, as he had found that for him, this was the formula to maintain a life of consistent worship and prayer. His enemies would seek to destroy him, primarily because he worshiped God and not the king. Needless to say, his life of worship was a door by which God would reveal His glory, and save Daniel out of the lion’s mouths.
When Jesus confronted Satan concerning the possibility of receiving, “…all the kingdoms of the world,” and receiving “…all this power … and glory (of these kingdoms),” Jesus responded by saying: “Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, You shall worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shall you serve.” What do we see here? The price and value of worshiping God surpasses all the power and glory of all the kingdoms of this world. Also, worship is essential if true service of God would be blessed, and accepted. It is essential that we learn, not only to worship, but to maintain a life of worship. This means maintaining a time and place for worship…daily, private, worship of Christ.
Dear Father, make us true worshipers in Spirit and truth with the certainty of knowing Thee. Reveal Thyself to our hearts, minds, and souls in an ever-increasing manner. Enable us to guard this life of worship to which we are called. Then we shall be able to serve Thee with joy and assurance, with Your blessing. We thank Thee, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad