Ephesians 2.19-22 (6)
Pray Psalm 27.4-6.
One thing I have desired of the LORD,
That will I seek:
That I may dwell in the house of the LORD
All the days of my life,
To behold the beauty of the LORD,
And to inquire in His temple.
For in the time of trouble
He shall hide me in His pavilion;
In the secret place of His tabernacle
He shall hide me;
He shall set me high upon a rock.
And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me;
Therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle;
I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the LORD.
Sing Psalm 27.4-6.
(St. Denio: Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise)
One thing we request but to dwell with You, LORD.
Your beauty to test and to think on Your Word.
In trouble You hide us secure in Your grace;
no foe may o’erride us: We sing of Your praise.
Read Ephesians 2.19-22; meditate on verses 21, 22.
Meditate on the idea of God having a “dwelling place” in us.
Preparation
1. What kind of “temple” are we being built to be?
2. How does God do this?
Meditation
Paul uses the idea that believers are being built into a holy dwelling place of God to take our minds back to the construction of the tabernacle and, later, the temple. In each case, all the various resources and materials used for the work are detailed. As these are being folded into the work of construction, their shapes, colors, and uses come into view. Add lights and incense to each, and you have two “buildings” which would have left those who used them with a sense of awe and wonder.
This is what God intends for His Church, and it’s what He intends for each of us. We all have something wonderful and beautiful to contribute to God being glorified. The Spirit of God has gifted us for the good works God has saved us to do, and He is at work within us to will and do of God’s good pleasure in helping us become beautiful dwelling places for God (Eph. 2.8-10; 1 Cor. 12.7-11; Phil. 2.13).
The prospect of God dwelling in our midst and refracting His glory through us into our world should make us eager to seek ways of serving Him each day. God is transforming us. He directs our steps. He shows us His beauty, the beauty of King Jesus, and works by His Spirit to make us more like Him. Our duty and privilege is to “fit together” with God’s plan, discern His calling for us, and do the work only we can do to glorify Him each day. Begin each day in His Word, meditating on His beauty, and He will prepare you for the day so that His goodness can come through you into the land of the living.
Treasure Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162.
“Jesus Christ…in Whom the whole building,
being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord,
in Whom you also
are being built together
for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit” (Eph. 2.20-22).
“You also.”
Not only is God building His Church, but He is also building each facet of His Church,
each building block—each individual person—all focused around the Chief Cornerstone.
“Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit Who is in you,
Whom you have from God, and you are not your own?
For you were bought at a price;
therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit,
which are God’s” (1 Cor. 6.19, 20).
There is a pattern we are to follow in building Christ’s Church—and the same goes for the formation of the bricks used to build His Church. If we think we can do this construction outside of His Plan and without His instructions, we do greatly err.
“Unless the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain who build it;
unless the LORD guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.” (Ps. 127.1).
It is time for the Church to get busy about its work.
It is time for the people of God to get serious about their faith.
It is time for the Law to be followed—not one jot or one tittle ignored—by God’s children.
“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets, I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.
For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled…for I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the Kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 5.17, 18, 20).
What then are we to do?
“Let your light so shine before men,
that they may see your good works
and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matt. 5.16).
How do we do that?
“Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness…” (Matt. 6.33).
Where do we get the means and power to do that?
“When the Holy Spirit has come upon you…” (Acts 1.8).
Who will give us the Holy Spirit?
Our “heavenly Father” will give the “Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” (Lk. 11.13).
It is more than possible, through Jesus, to be built together, with a variety of other bricks—
as a constructed dwelling place of God in the Spirit—found to be pleasing to Him.
The building, and also the bricks, standing as a mighty fortress against the works of the enemy.
Reflection
1. How is God “fitting” you for a place in His “temple”? What does that require of you?
2. What opportunities will you have today to be a channel of grace to your world? Are you preparing for these?
3. Are you just making bricks, or are you building a cathedral? Explain.
Let us then ask if our hopes are fixed on Christ, according to the doctrine of his word? Have we devoted ourselves as holy temples to God through him? Are we habitations of God by the Spirit, are we spiritually-minded, and do we bring forth the fruits of the Spirit? Matthew Henry (1662-1714), Commentary on Ephesians 2.19-22
Pray Psalm 27.7-14.
What opportunities for growing in the beauty, wisdom, and power of the Lord will you have today? Offer them to the Lord. Seek His guidance and direction, and wait on Him throughout the day to fill and use you for His glory.
Sing Psalm 27.7-14.
(St. Denio: Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise)
Hear, LORD, when we cry and be gracious, we pray!
LORD, do not deny us Your favor this day!
Our help, our salvation, though others may fall,
preserve our good station when on You we call.
LORD, teach us; LORD, lead us because of our foes!
Hear, LORD, when we plead for release from their woes.
Had we not believed all Your goodness to see,
our heart sorely grieved and in turmoil would be.
Wait, wait on the LORD; persevere in His grace.
Hold fast to His Word; seek His radiant face.
Be strong, set your heart to abide in His Word;
His grace He imparts; therefore, wait on the LORD.
T. M. and Susie MooreIf you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment and give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Cor. 4.15).
Other columns of interest this week: In our ReVision series on “The Kingdom Economy” we are looking at ways the Law of God applies to our lives. This week our Read Moore podcast continues addressing the question raised by our book, What in Heaven Is Jesus Doing on Earth? This week our Crosfigell teaching letter begins a study of the life of Brigit, a contemporary of Brendan. Click here to see all the other columns and writers available to you.
And please prayerfully consider supporting The Fellowship of Ailbe with your prayers and gifts. You can contribute online, via PayPal or Anedot, or by sending a gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, P. O. Box 8213, Essex, VT 05451.
Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. For sources of all quotations, see the weekly PDF of this study. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter.
