Psalm 96:8

Psalm 96:8

Come into His courts

We can easily forget that the spiritual lives of the Jews were all bound up in religious practices, in law-keeping and in formal devotion. The highlights for them were the visits to the Tabernacle / Temple in Jerusalem, especially at the times of the festivals, when great crowds gathered from across the land and their religion become a corporate celebration. Thus, to give God glory involved bringing offerings and joining with countless others in the Temple courts. This is as near as any of these people ever came to their God for, of course, they believed Him to be present in the Holy Place, the inner sanctuary where only the High Priest was allowed to enter, on the Day of Atonement.

Where does that leave us? Do we need to make pilgrimages and celebrate annual festivals? Do we need to follow religious rituals and to stand in awe in temples or cathedrals if we wish to meet with God? Is our faith one of formal routines or is it something very different? We all know the answers. The formalism died at the cross, in fact it was never a high priority for the Lord, in Psalm 51:17 David wrote, “My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.” 

The Scriptures teach us that God does not dwell in buildings made with hands, Acts 7:48. Of course He doesn’t! What is even more staggering is that He chooses to make His dwelling place within us, by His Holy Spirit. “Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst?” 1 Corinthians 3:16. “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own.” 1 Corinthians 6:19.

Today we are able to enter into His courts because He is already with us. We can approach Him at any moment of the day or night. Our sacrifices are not costly animals but a humble faith and a contrite spirit of wonder. As we come to the Lord in this way, and very few do, we are crediting Him with the glory and honour that He is due. And it’s so wonderful when we do this with others!

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