Psalm 30

This psalm is a song of faith and hope. After all, it is introduced by the curious two phrases "for the dedication of the temple" and "of David." David was dead long before the Temple was completed and dedicated. Solomon is the one who dedicated it. Yet David could see God's intended future and just hoping for the day inspired him to sing. This psalm sings of Gods un-ending grace and abiding presence. Even when God is absent, says David, that absence does not last forever.

For the people of God, the Temple would be that place where God's presence would abide. Although few would go into the deepest room where the presence of God rested, people could see the flames on the altar (which God lit) and they could still stand in God's presence. There are days when I wish I could go back to the days of the Jerusalem Temple and have a physical place to stand and worship.

Yet things are difference now. They are somewhat de-centered in physical space. We are told in the New Testament that God's Holy Spirit dwells inside us and we are now a temple for the presence of God. This means that where we go, people ought to see God working out in us. Wow, that's a tall order. It's a lot easier to fix some bricks on a physical Temple building than to live out the presence of God for other people. But that is our challenge. So perhaps you can open this psalm to start your day, and dedicate yourself to God with these words. After all, you are a temple. Amen.