Thurs.’s Devo - The Temple is Within Us

Read:1 Chronicles 26:12-27:34; Romans 4:13-5:5; Psalm 14:1-7; Proverbs 19:17 The way the Temple was run was a picture of how we as the Temple of the Lord are suppose to be. There were appointed people from the Levites to guard the gates of the Temple. Our gates are our eyes, ears, mouths and reproductive organs. Our guards are discernment, judgement, conscience and righteousness. We choose what we allow through our gates. Enemies can force there way through our gates or we can let them in. If we want our Temple to glorify God, we have to fight the enemies that want in and cleanse our Temple often to get them out. *** Other Levites were in charge of the treasuries that were gifts offered to the Lord. These are found in our hearts. They are memories, victories, promises of God, our families, whatever we hold dear. The Levites were to guard them from being stolen and we have to guard our hearts so we don’t have our treasures stolen by our enemy, Satan. *** The generals and captains of the army were in charge of making sure the things of the Lord were running well in the nation. The spiritual climate was the highest priority for them. The way we keep our generals and captains in top shape is by feeding ourselves the Word of God and talking to God and listening to his Spirit. We, like generals and captains need to be obedient to our Lord’s commands and be quick to obey. *** Solomon also had outside help: a wise counselor and a scribe. He had men to teach his sons and an advisor and a friend. He also had a commander over his army. We need good shepards, teachers, and friends to help us in our walk. We are also compassed about by a crowd of witnesses and have been appointed angels to minister and help us. We are well equipped to win any battle that comes our way. *** In Romans, Paul reminds us that God promised to give the whole earth to Abraham and his descendants which was based on his right relationship with God. Whether we get the promises we are waiting for are based on the same thing - not our obedience to a law. We receive his promises by faith which is a free gift. *** Abraham had been promised a son and the older he got the more his faith grew which is the opposite of how we would think. His faith brought glory to God. *** When we stand in faith in the God who raised Jesus our Lord from the death, we are given undeserved privilege with God. We can look forward to sharing in God’s glory. We can rejoice when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance which leads to strength of character. Then we know that what we are hoping in will not disappoint us because our other loves us and has given us his Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. *** Lord, this is so encouraging for us. We are overwhelmed with your love for us. We put all our hope in your promises and believe what you say and who you are.