Content With A Tent!

Elaborate structures have been built in the name of religion. Monuments. Cathedrals. Palaces. Even the temple built by Solomon was awesome to behold. It was David who first had the desire, but it was not for him to build. David appeared to have been struck by the thought as he lived in a house of cedar, why should the ark of God be housed in a tent? ( 2 Samuel 7:2; 1 Chronicles 17:1)

Now consider this. Though God gave the command and the very specific instructions for the building of the tabernacle, it was not so with the temple. There were aspects of the temple which mirrored the tabernacle, but its design was much more elaborate. It seems God was content with His presence being represented in a tent. ( 2 Samuel 7:5-7; 1 Chronicles 17:4-6) It is not that God was contained there, for even Solomon acknowledged the temple he built could not contain God, Whom even "heaven and the highest heaven" could not contain. ( 1 Kings 8:27; 2 Chronicles 2:6 & 6:18) However, the presence of God in the midst of Israel was represented by it.

Does this cause us to wonder what it is God desires today? Is it some elaborate structure? Is it a holy shrine of some sort? Is it a high tower reaching to Heaven? Is it an ornate gold plated and gleaming building surpassing any other structures on the earth?

Paul referred to OUR PHYSICAL BODY as a tent where we read. . .

"(1) For we know that if THE TENT THAT IS OUR EARTHLY HOME is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. (2) For IN THIS TENT WE GROAN, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, (3) if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked. (4) For while we are STILL IN THIS TENT, we groan, being burdened -- not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. (5) He who has prepared us for this very thing is GOD, who HAS GIVEN US THE SPIRIT AS A GUARANTEE." ( 2 Corinthians 5:1-5 ESV)

He also referred to OUR PHYSICAL BODY as a temple where we read. . .

"(19) Or do you not know that YOUR BODY IS A TEMPLE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT WITHIN YOU, whom you have from God? You are not your own, (20) for you were bought with a price. So GLORIFY GOD IN YOUR BODY." ( 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 ESV)

That is the very personal connection with our life God desires more than monuments and buildings. Rather than symbolically housed in some fancy gold covered building, His desire is that by His Spirit His abiding presence, Divine essence, and the treasure of salvation in Jesus Christ is to be housed in "JARS OF CLAY." ( 2 Corinthians 4:7)

Though God does have something grander in mind for us -- a heavenly dwelling -- He is content for now to have part of His essence ABIDING IN THE TENT OF OUR BODY. May we honor His presence by daily glorifying Him with it.

Have a great day ENCOURAGED BY FUTURE GLORY WHILE CONTENT TO GLORIFY GOD NOW IN THE TENT OF THE FLESH!
Carl

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