REFLECTIONS ON A TEMPLE
Thus says the Lord of hosts: I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep to be prince over my people Israel; and I have been with you wherever you went. – 2 Samuel 7:8b-9a
In our reading on Sunday, God tells David not to worry about building a temple. God has gone with David from his time as the almost-forgotten youngest son and shepherd until this moment, when David becomes ruler of all the united tribes of Israel. David knows that God cares for him; God knows that David serves God alone. What difference would a temple make?
Honestly, these days, we all know the difference a temple makes. In some way, we each miss the ability to gather and worship as we remember. I continue to hope and pray (and expect!) that you have found a meaningful way to worship that sets aside time for prayer and praise, connects you to your faith community, and reminds you of God’s action in your life. For now, whatever method you use, it has to look different from what we’re used to. We can’t gather in the ways we remember in our worship spaces.
We understand David and his desire for a temple better than we ever have. We also want a temple, a place where we know God can be found, one physical location and one specific time where we can be outside of our usual life and be in relationship with the God who claims and loves us. In David’s case, he heard God say that this act simply wasn’t needed at the time. In our case, we hear God say that love for our neighbor requires that worship looks a little different for now.
During the sermon, Pastors Brandon, Steve, and I reflected on the things that we think make worship most important. I believe worship ultimately unites the community of faith in praise of our one God. It’s a lot harder to unite right now, but it’s still possible. Praise of our God now – and perhaps from now on – resides not just in one room in one building but in all parts of our lives. God continues to reform us and keep us centered in relationship with this God who has been with us from the beginning and will see us through every day to come.
Let us pray:
God who we worship in truth, reform our hearts. Show us what it means to worship you. Encourage us as we seek to love our neighbor in this pandemic. Bring us together, even when we’re apart, to make us your holy people. Amen.