Tag: Worship

God’s Blueprint for Restoration: What Ezekiel 40 Teaches Us Today

In Ezekiel 40, we encounter a remarkable vision that paints a vivid picture of hope and restoration. Set during a time of exile for the Israelites, this passage offers a glimpse of a future temple that symbolizes God’s enduring presence among His people. While the detailed measurements and structures may seem overwhelming at first glance, there’s a crucial takeaway that resonates deeply with our lives today: God is committed to restoration, and He has a plan for us.

Imagine Ezekiel standing on a high mountain, surveying a magnificent temple designed by God Himself. This temple is more than just a building; it represents a fresh start for a people who have faced immense loss and disappointment. The specifics of the temple, from its dimensions to its gates, reveal God’s intention for a place where His presence can dwell among His people again. It’s a powerful reminder that no matter how far we feel from God or how broken our lives may seem, He desires to bring us back to a place of relationship with Him.

One interesting aspect of this vision is the way it emphasizes order and structure. God didn’t leave the design of the temple to chance; He provided meticulous details to ensure it reflected His holiness and glory. This careful planning invites us to consider how we approach our own lives and relationships. Are we allowing God to bring order and structure to our spiritual journeys?

In our fast-paced, chaotic world, it’s easy to feel disoriented and disconnected. Yet, Ezekiel’s vision encourages us to seek God’s presence and allow Him to guide us toward restoration. Just as the temple was a central place of worship for the Israelites, we too need spaces—both physical and spiritual—where we can encounter God. This could be a quiet corner in our homes, a favorite spot in nature, or even within our church community.

Moreover, the temple represents a fresh start and a call to renewal. Just as the Israelites were offered a chance to return to worship after exile, we are also invited to embrace the new beginnings God offers us. Whether it’s letting go of past mistakes, healing from hurt, or rebuilding relationships, God wants us to know that restoration is always possible.

As we reflect on Ezekiel 40, let’s remember that God is always at work to restore and renew us. He has a blueprint for our lives, and His plans are filled with hope. So, let’s take the time to seek Him, invite His presence into our lives, and trust in His promise of restoration, knowing that no matter where we’ve been, we can always find our way back to Him.

Perverting Worship

Worship is more than singing songs or performing rituals; it is the expression of our reverence, love, and obedience to God. True worship is rooted in the recognition of God’s holiness, majesty, and authority. It involves aligning our hearts and actions with God’s will, living in a way that honors Him.

In Ezekiel 8, we see a vivid example of how Israel perverted worship. God gave Ezekiel a vision of the temple in Jerusalem, where idolatrous practices were being conducted in secret. The people had turned the temple, the very place dedicated to God’s holy presence, into a house of idols. The leaders and priests, who were supposed to guide the people in true worship, were themselves engaged in corrupt practices. They thought they could hide their sins, saying, “The Lord does not see us, the Lord has forsaken the land” (Ezekiel 8:12, NLT). But God did see, and He was grieved by how they had desecrated His sanctuary.

This passage serves as a warning to us today. While we may not bow to physical idols, we can still fall into the trap of idolatry. Anything that takes the place of God in our lives—whether it be success, money, relationships, or even religious traditions—can become an idol. We must be vigilant in examining our hearts and our worship practices to ensure that they are truly centered on God.

Jesus emphasized that true worshipers will worship the Father in “spirit and truth” (John 4:24, NLT). This means our worship must be sincere, coming from a heart that is fully devoted to God, and it must be in accordance with His truth as revealed in Scripture. Let us strive to keep our worship pure and focused on God alone, avoiding the mistakes of Israel by not allowing anything to corrupt our devotion to Him.

Sing to the Lord. Do it Now.

Just a quick thought today. Several times throughout the Psalms we are told to sing to the Lord. Not the more broad “worship”, but specifically singing. Why? Let’s pop that question in our pockets for a sentence or two while I describe my ideal Sunday service for you all.

I would like to see an extended time of worship, 20-30 minutes devoted to worship in song. Perhaps with other creative elements like scripture reading or videos, but mostly worship in song. This would be followed by a 30-minute message expositing God’s word. Then another closing song of response that matches the theme of the message. Perhaps a jubilant anthem, perhaps a somber acoustic reflection.

Why structure it this way? And why give as much time to worship in song and to the study of the Word of God? This is where we pull out that question from earlier. Why does the Psalmist so often encourage us to worship in song? Because I believe that while the sermon engages the head, music engages the heart!

Psalm 96 even says that we should sing to the nations! We should WITNESS through song! That’s what I believe as well. The music draws a tender heart toward God. The message equips a willing mind with His truth. And then the mandate moves a submitted hands to do the work of the Lord.

Heart. Head. Hands.

Repeat.

A Pleasing Aroma

Just a quick thought today. If you have been reading along you’ll have noticed that the phrase “a pleasing aroma to God” has appeared a great many times in Genesis, Exodus, and especially Leviticus. Depending on what translation you use this phrase pops up some 43 times in the Old Testament.

But what does it mean? We burn a bull or a ram or a sheep or a pigeon and that is a “pleasing aroma” to God? Maybe He just really likes BBQ? He’s a well-done guy I guess… but the same is true when it’s bread being converted to charcoal on the altar as well. And ain’t no one likes charcoaled bread.

So what does it mean? It’s pretty simple, really. It’s not the smoked meat that God is enjoying, it’s the smell of obedience. The scent of demonstrated love. The fragrance of reconciliation. And how can we be sure of this? The Apostle Paul writes the following in Ephesians 5:2 (NLT), “Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.” God wasn’t pleased that Jesus died, but he was pleased that this act of sacrificial obedience opened the floodgates of restoration for a broken people made in the image of their loving creator.

And our daily acts of worship are the same. They are a sweet smell to God. So make sure you spend some time today, and tomorrow, and the day after that creating a pleasing aroma of worship, love, and devotion to the Lord.

Be blessed, my friends.

Leviticus 7-8 | 049/365