In the busyness of life, I can be trapped into thinking that my walk with God is fine and nothing needs fixing. Inevitably things slow down, and I have time for honest reflection. In those moments, I am reminded of how much I need a saviour.
We all need reminders, and Paul provided it to his listeners in Antioch. He spoke of God's faithfulness and of their failings. He quoted Habakkuk 1:5 to remind them that God is just and righteous, and therefore, Israel needed a saviour. Then he used scripture to show Jesus was that promised Messiah. He exhorted them not to scoff and deny themselves eternal life.
Paul explained how God sought people after his own heart. People like David, who were repentant and understood the importance of a relationship with God. In Ps 51:16-17, David said, "You are not pleased with burnt offerings. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; A broken and a contrite heart, O God, you will not despise."
Solomon knew this, as well. The temple that he built for God was smaller than his own house. Imagine! Yet he understood that God was not about a building. At Solomon's temple dedication, he declared, "Even heaven, the highest heaven, cannot contain you, much less this temple I have built" (1 Kings 8:27).
Solomon noted that God keeps covenant with those who walk before him with their whole heart (1 Kings 8:23). God's interest was not in a temple, but the hearts of the people. Solomon reminded Israel of their ongoing need to repent and build a relationship with God.
In Ps 75, we are again reminded not to rely on our own strength or be filled with pride. We need a repentant heart. A heart after God's, with a desire to put his will before our own. It requires a close relationship, so much more than a brick and mortar building.
Take time to remember all that God has done for us and draw closer to him, so that we may say, "We give thanks to You, O God, we give thanks, for your name is near" (Psalm 75:1).
Kelvin Rempel
Husband, father and student of the scriptures