A House for God

“Wherever I have moved about among all the people of Israel, did I ever speak a word with any of the tribal leaders of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, saying, ‘Why have you not built me a house of cedar?'” 2 Samuel 7:7

It goes without saying that we’ve been spending a lot of time in our homes but hardly any time at all in our church buildings. As we near Christmas, I feel a particular grief about this fact. For the first time in my ministry, I won’t be at church for service after service on Christmas Eve, into the late hours of the night, gathered with God’s people. While I count it a blessing to be able to spend more time with my own family, I will dearly miss being with the family of God at Grace.

It is for this reason that God’s words, spoken through Nathan to David, give such comfort. When have I ever asked for a house? This is God’s question to King David, who’d been having grand dreams of being the one to build the Temple for the Lord (a task that would fall to David’s son, Solomon). God has been quite content to wander with the people from place to place, freely moving as God sees fit. God is still on the move today.

This is not to say that our buildings don’t matter or, even more, that gathering together is unimportant. My Advent yearning is for a returning! Be on the lookout for information about small-group worship opportunities at Grace throughout the Christmas season. In the meantime, as we await a fuller return from this pandemic exile, I’ll remember that God isn’t only present in houses of stone or cedar. God is present in my home, and in yours, too. Come, Lord Jesus!

Be well, friends. You are loved.

God, you are always on the move! Remind us that you are present with us now; that you won’t leave us where we are; that you journey faithfully with us. Turn our eyes to the coming of the Christ child, the Son of David, through whom you have made your home with us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Image: The Grace Christmas tree in the Memorial Garden.