Places for Praise

Scripture – Acts 7:44-50: ⁴⁴“Our forefathers had the tabernacle of the Testimony with them in the desert. It had been made as God directed Moses, according to the pattern he had seen. ⁴⁵Having received the tabernacle, our fathers under Joshua brought it with them when they took the land from the nations God drove out before them. It remained in the land until the time of David, ⁴⁶who enjoyed God’s favor and asked that he might provide a dwelling place for the God of Jacob. ⁴⁷But it was Solomon who built the house for him. ⁴⁸“However, the Most High does not live in houses made by men. As the prophet says: ⁴⁹“‘Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build for me? says the Lord. Or where will my resting place be? ⁵⁰Has not my hand made all these things?’

Reflection: – The temptation is always there to keep God in a box somehow. David and Solomon had the vision of building a permanent “dwelling place” for the Lord – as though this would be the only place on earth where God would stay and people could find Him.

Even today it’s easy to fall into that perspective. I come to the church building on a Sunday morning and act differently than I do during the week. That’s just a short step from compartmentalizing God – so I’ve got Him in one part of my life rather than throughout all of my life.

Without question, it’s a powerful experience to come together with other Christians and lift our corporate voice in praise and worship. At the same time, living in Christ is not limited to “going to church.” I’ll be intentional about carrying my praises with me in whatever I encounter today.

How are you tempted to limit God? What areas of your life to you try to keep for yourself?