WHO WAS HE IS GOD IN YOUR CHURCH!

 SCRIPTURE: Ezekiel 43:1-9

VERSE FOR TODAY: Then the Spirit lifted me up and. . . the glory of the Lord filled the temple (Ezekiel 43:5, New International Version).

VERSE FOR TODAY: "O Worship the King"

Recently I attended a large church gathering where God's Word was preached in power. The beauty of the magnificent sanctuary, the heavenly voices of a huge choir, and the multitude of people worshiping God were awe inspiring. I have also felt this glory in a humble country church building. A man of God preached the gospel, the congregation earnestly prayed, and the voices of the people, singing from their hearts, magnified and glorified our God.

Ezekiel's vision, like Isaiah's vision in Isaiah 6, showed the glory of God filling the temple. It also filled the tabernacle and the temple of Solomon at its dedication (1Kings 8:11). Today there are churches that depend on organization, gifted speakers, social activities, and a social gospel. But the church service is empty and cold. It is as if the glory of the Lord has departed as it departed from Israel.

One day the telephone in the office of President Roosevelt's Washington church rang and an eager voice said, "Tell me, do you expect the President to be in church this Sunday?" The rector explained patiently, "That I cannot promise. But we expected God to be there, and we believe that will be enough fora reasonably large attendance."

PRAYER THOUGHT: Father May our Worship be pleasing in Your sight. Fill our churches with Your glory as it filled the temple in Ezekiel's vision. May we allow Your Holy Spirit to control our worship. Amen.