Day 202
2 Chronicles 4:1‐6:11; Romans 7:1‐13; Psalm 17:1‐15; Proverbs 19:22‐23
Hallowed Halls
In 1985, my fiancée and I sat in Chicago Symphony Hall as the orchestra warmed up. Both of us liked classical music, but we had never heard a live performance. On a whim, we bought some tickets. Dressed in jeans and sweatshirts, we felt unprepared for the occasion. But we were on vacation, and once we sat down, we no longer cared.
What were truly unprepared were our ears. When all had quieted, the symphony began to play the Sibelius Symphony #1. The music swallowed me up. I felt the music in my bones. I sat there like an idiot until intermission, afraid to move, not wanting to interrupt the feeling.
The music was similar to all the classical music I had ever heard in my life. But the setting made it different. In that hall, the music became special.
The books of Chronicles were written after the Israelites returned from exile. The writer hoped to inspire Israel to imitate the rule of God in Israel under David and the worship of God under Solomon. It was important for Yahweh to rule and for Yahweh to have His place among the people.
Today, people say that God lives in their hearts. While this is indeed true, it is still necessary for us to honor God as King and to create a preeminent space for Him. The Music has been the same from the beginning. But He truly comes to life when we make our hearts His symphony hall.
David Somers, Deacon