Do you remember when double glazing first came in?
It seemed so good, that extra layer of insulation/protection, a novelty at first but one worth having. Soon everyone wanted it. Now it’s standard.
That idea of being surrounded with a double layer of protection popped up in Sunday’s sermon. (Here on wordsurfers under Other Sermons ‘What Does Revival Look Like?’) This Autumn we’re learning from the Old Testament books of Ezra and Nehemiah in which God’s people have returned home to rebuild Jerusalem and the Temple to prepare for their coming Messiah.
Nehemiah 12 describes a particular day of celebration in Jerusalem when the whole population sang their gratitude to God. Led by a sizeable music group, two choirs and a number of trumpet-wielding priests, everyone went up on the walls and literally ringed the city with praise. The newly rebuilt walls offered some physical defence, the worship of God invited an extra layer of spiritual defence.
It’s still just a picture playing around in my mind, but an attractive one of strengthened security brought about when we give God the honour and glory due His name.
A couple of other scriptures come to mind.
‘Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labour in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain.’ (Psalm 127 v 1)
Better still –
‘The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him and He delivers them…The Lord redeems His servants; no-one will be condemned who takes refuge in Him.’ (Psalm 34 vs 7 + 22)
It seemed so good, that extra layer of insulation/protection, a novelty at first but one worth having. Soon everyone wanted it. Now it’s standard.
That idea of being surrounded with a double layer of protection popped up in Sunday’s sermon. (Here on wordsurfers under Other Sermons ‘What Does Revival Look Like?’) This Autumn we’re learning from the Old Testament books of Ezra and Nehemiah in which God’s people have returned home to rebuild Jerusalem and the Temple to prepare for their coming Messiah.
Nehemiah 12 describes a particular day of celebration in Jerusalem when the whole population sang their gratitude to God. Led by a sizeable music group, two choirs and a number of trumpet-wielding priests, everyone went up on the walls and literally ringed the city with praise. The newly rebuilt walls offered some physical defence, the worship of God invited an extra layer of spiritual defence.
It’s still just a picture playing around in my mind, but an attractive one of strengthened security brought about when we give God the honour and glory due His name.
A couple of other scriptures come to mind.
‘Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labour in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain.’ (Psalm 127 v 1)
Better still –
‘The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him and He delivers them…The Lord redeems His servants; no-one will be condemned who takes refuge in Him.’ (Psalm 34 vs 7 + 22)
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