MEDITATIONS FROM ISAIAH

 

April 5, 2006

Reading: Isaiah 56:5-8

 

“My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations” Isa 56:7.

 

This morning, my soul, I wish to think about the first two words of this text—“My house.” On the surface, does it not seem strange that God has a house? We are speaking of our God who inhabits the earth and heavens. “Extol Him who rides on the clouds, by His name YAH, and rejoice before Him.” Your God inhabits eternity and resides in the high and holy place, what need does He have for a house?

Paul gives you the answer, “For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: ‘I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they shall be My people.’"

 

“For thus says the High and Lofty one Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: ‘I dwell in the high and holy place, with him who has a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.’” Isa 57:15.

 

From the creation of Adam God has wanted to dwell with His people, but sin occurred and made this impossible. So He created a nation, a nation He called “My people.”

 

“I will set My tabernacle among you, and My soul shall not abhor you. I will walk among you and be your God, and you shall be My people” Lev 26:11-12.

 

Once again sin separated God from His people and brought His judgment upon them instead of His blessings. God “divorced” His special nation and once again created a favored people with whom He could dwell and have fellowship. This time He made it impossible for sin to cause havoc with His people.

Three things are required in the making of a house: 1) a foundation, 2) quality materials, 3) structural plans. God’s house in the Old Testament era was either the tabernacle or temple but the cross changed that—the physical was changed to the spiritual. The house of God is now Christ’s Temple consisting of Himself and all of God’s elect.

The FOUNDATION is Jesus Christ: “No other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ” 1 Cor 3:11. Jesus is the Rock upon which the church is built—Matt 16:18.

The MATERIALS are every born again believer which the scripture calls “living stones.” “You also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house” 1 Peter 2:5.

Before any stone is laid in place every defect is removed so that it fits perfectly into the structure. “Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit” Eph 2:19-22. Every living stone is justified, made perfect, in the eyes of God and the gates of hell cannot prevail against it as it has in the past.

The STRUCTURAL PLAN is designed by the Master Architect Himself--:”I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Jesus Himself has a personal interest in this construction. The living stones are made perfect by His death “therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” 2 Cor 5:17.

Briefly then, my soul, this is God’s house. It is a living house made up of living stones—dead stones that have been made alive with the life of Jesus, “It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” Gal 2:20.

God’s house is a strong house for even the gates of hell cannot prevail against it and it has no greater enemy than hell and he who directs it, the Prince of Darkness, the devil himself.

God’s house is finally a glorious house for each stone is perfectly honed to fit in its chosen place. The Holy Spirit Himself sanctifies every true believer and makes him truly perfect and holy. Just as the animals used for sacrifice under the old covenant were required to be “without blemish,” so the living stones are to be without defect. Glorious, perfect, without defect, holy—all is true of the house of God with whom He dwells now and for ever.

 

“Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish” Eph 5:25-28.

 

“Never any rose, or shall arise, against this house, and go forth unto final prosperity. Let the men of the world take heed how they burden themselves with the foundation-stone of this house; — it will assuredly break them all in pieces” John Owen, 1650.

 

Rejoice then, my soul, that you have been made a part of God’s House— justified, sanctified, made one with Him who is the Chief Cornerstone. This is no temporary structure that faces deterioration or demolition, it is sound, without defect, and will last throughout eternity—guaranteed!