Around June 1 children in schools start counting the days left until school ends. They are all excited about their upcoming summer break. This past January I had an opportunity to travel to Florida for a Messianic Rabbis Conference. When I was preparing my traveling plans my mother asked if I could bring Ravi, my 7 year old son. My parents offered to watch him while I was at my Conference, and promised to take us both to Disney World twice while we were in Florida. When Ravi was asked if he wanted to go he was very excited about traveling on a plane,
visiting his grandparents, and going to Disney World. He immediately began counting the days until we left for Florida.
In Leviticus 23 God tells the people of Israel to count the days until they bring the first fruits of their harvest on Shavuot. Shavuot is one of the three Feasts of the Lord in which all Jewish men were called to worship God at the Temple in Jerusalem. Shavuot had to be a special day, eagerly anticipated by Jewish men. Here was one of three days in which Jews, no matter where they lived, would all be together to worship God at the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. Many men probably counted these
days as eagerly as we count the days until summer break. The Holy Temple was a very special place where God met with His people in a powerful way. I certainly wish I had the opportunity to do so. I hope that Messiah returns in my lifetime so that I will have the opportunity to worship Him at the Temple when He rules the earth from the Throne in the rebuilt Temple.
Over the years I have seen many people at worship services, staring at their watches eagerly waiting for service to end so that they can leave and go do something else. They are counting the minutes until service ends, or until something else they have planned begins. This is so sad. Messiah promises that He has come so that we might have life in abundance, and to the fullest (John 10:10). For some reason many people don't understand this, or believe it. King David said that at God's right hand are pleasures evermore. He also desired to dwell in the House of the Lord forever. He knew how good it was to be in the Presence of God. Unfortunately many people haven't experienced what David has, or don't believe it's true. How sad. There is no better place to be than in the House of the Lord!
When you are not feeling well, what better place is there to be, but the place where God's presence is? The House of the Lord is a place where God's healing can be found. When you are sad, what better place can you be, but the place where God's presence is? In the House of the Lord you can find other people who can cheer you up and share with you how God gave them joy in a time of need. It's a place where you can personally meet with God so that you can receive the joy and encouragement you need.
What about you?
Have you experienced the presence of God in your life?
Do you count the minutes until services ends, because you'd rather be doing something else? Or do you count the minutes until you can go to the House of the Lord?
Do you look forward to going to the House of the Lord, knowing that sometime soon God is going to manifest His Presence once again?
When this happens He will change your life forever.
I hope to see you in the House of the Lord. |
