Blank Canvas

You will no longer be able to meet in the place where I made My name dwell.
– Jeremiah 7:9-15  [abbreviated & paraphrased]

Why would God make it so His people couldn’t gather in their place of worship?

In the book of Jeremiah it was God’s judgement. However, by shutting the doors of the Temple, God is also inviting His People to deeper intimacy. Bringing them closer to His heart.

In some Bibles the first section of chapter 7 is entitled: False trust in the Temple. And a later section: Obedience over Sacrifice.

These sections are like chapters, telling the story of a God who wants an intimate, personal relationship with His people, more than religious gatherings.

We might summarize that story like this:

• Your Temple rituals are not what I want. They have become your anchor – rather than me. You even do things there in My name that I never asked, while ignoring what I do ask.
• So, I will remove it from you for a time.
• What I have always asked of you is this: "Obey Me, and then I will be your God, and you will be My people. You must walk in every way I command you so that it may go well with you.”  – Jeremiah 7:23b

There may be no parallel between your church gatherings and the temple gatherings in Jeremiah’s time.

Even so, during times of 'exile' God is always inviting you – and your family – to a daily, ongoing exchange with Him in your home: just you, Him, and your children, in the sanctuary He has given you.

The empty chasm which exile forces upon us is more truly a blank canvas. And, yes, like an artist with writer's block many of us feel less than inspired. Yet, He still lovingly calls us to co-create alongside Him, the Creator God. He wants to do something beautiful in a time of chaos.

Try this: Set aside a large segment of unhurried, uninterrupted time. In that time, sip a tasty beverage. Sit still and look around you at what God has given you. Ask Him in what ways He wants to meet with you in this season of exile. Ask Him where to start this work of co-creation.

Death has climbed through our windows;
it has entered our fortresses,
cutting off children from the streets,
young men from the squares.

This is what the LORD says:
The wise must not boast in his wisdom;
the mighty must not boast in his might;
the rich must not boast in his riches.
But the one who boasts should boast in this,
that he understands and knows Me
– that I am the LORD, showing faithful love,
justice, and righteousness on earth,
for I delight in these things.
[This is] the LORD’s declaration.
– Jeremiah 9:21, 23&24