LIVING AT CHURCH!

Tuesday, May 14, 2019

LIVING AT CHURCH!

1 Sam 1:22

22 But Hannah went not up; for she said unto her husband, I will not go up until the child be weaned, and then I will bring him, that he may appear before the Lord, and there abide for ever.

Luke 2:36-37

36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;

37 And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.

           I once made a visit on the parents of a tiny girl. As our car turned onto her road we spotted her on her tiny two wheel bicycle. She spotted us as well, and we followed her slowly up her driveway as she threw her bike down and ran into the house shouting “Mom! Dad! God’s here!” Well, hardly, but she did make the connection and wondered why I had left my forever place called church.

           Samuel grew up in church – quite literally! Hannah had prayed for a man child and promised God that he would server the Lord forever. He had a room in the Temple and was an aid to Eli. Can you imagine never leaving church?

           Anna was a widow and lived at the Temple at the time of the birth and dedication of Jesus. She was there night and day. Perhaps the priesthood had provided for her a living space and provisions because she was a godly widow. Whatever the arrangements, she was present when Jesus was presented and named. Try to imagine meeting Jesus at church!

           If you can’t imagine living at church, try to imagine visiting it on Sunday. You meet the most amazing people there.

Ps 65:4

4 Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple.