Deut. 12:5 "But you are to seek the place the Lord your God will choose from among all your tribes to put his Name there for his dwelling. To that place you must go;"
God instructs the Israelites they are to have one place where they are to worship him. He wants them to distinguish themselves from the surrounding nations who worshipped pagan gods in many locations.
Historically and culturally, it makes sense for the Israelites to have one central location to worship. I get it. But thank goodness it's not that way anymore. Jesus said in John 4 "the time has come when we will worship God in spirit and in truth." It's no longer about a geographic location but rather the location of our hearts. We are free to worship our Lord at church, indoors, outdoors, in Jerusalem and Maplewood! In fact, true worship isn't about sitting in one place with our eyes closed and hands raised, it's about moving our feet and using our hands to love others!
Dear Jesus help me to worship you more outside of the church walls than I do indoors. Amen.
