I have been reading in the book of Ezekiel where God very clearly and precisely describes every element of his temple. As I read each verse it becomes clear to me the importance God places on ensuring each detail of the temple was carefully measured and fit together just as he directed it to be built. In my reflection I thought of nature, the seasons, even the sun, moon, and stars, everything has been set in place precisely as God ordained it to be. All down through time each element has continued according to his plan with precision, each season following the next.
This brought me to a moment of reflection regarding the one element in nature that consistently moves away from the precise instructions of God creating a state of confusion and utter chaos . . . and that is man . . . the one being created in the image of God, yet we continues to turn from God attempting to live according to the desires and intents of our own heart !!!
“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? “ Jeremiah 17:9
“But my people would not listen to me; Israel would not submit to me. So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts to follow their own devices.” Psalms 81: 11-12
“And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blashemy, pride, foolishness; all these evil things come from within, and defile the man.” Mark 7:20-23
Instead man should . . . .
“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding, in all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6
“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” James 1:5
God has given clear, precise details in his word regarding how to live our lives and yet we somehow feel as though following his direction isn’t necessary. We do not see the importance of following God in the day to day elements of our lives, seemingly unaware that they determine the overall structure and path of our lives. We seem to think God isn’t concerned with the details of our lives, yet his word so clearly says otherwise. Our bodies are to be a temple, a temple set aside to bring honor and glory to his name. Yet we haphazardly live our lives with no thought to seeking God in the details. One cannot expect to have a life that is precisely according to God’s plan without first ensuring that each detail is attended to with precision. Just as God set out very precise details for the building of his temple to ensure that it would be built exactly as he planned, he has laid out detailed descriptions for each element of our lives to enable us to be able to live with precision.
“What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?” I Corinthians 6:19
Just as God set out precise details for the construction of his temple, he has set out precise details for us to live with precision !!!