My house shall be called the house of prayer;
After His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple. Perhaps He desired a time of prayer and worship with the people. However, His mind changed when He encountered the money changers. Jesus drove them out, horrified that they would take something holy (His Father’s house) and make it common (a market). Then He preached to the people who had gathered in the synagogue.
If Christ, in person, were to accompany me on a Sunday, what would He find? There is nothing secret that will not be made known. (Luke 8:17) What is my relationship with Christ? Is it merely a cloak of religion on a hypocritical life-style?
Revival of a nation begins at the church; not the building, but the people. (1 Peter 4:17) Me. (1 Cor. 3:16-17) I must rid myself of secret sins and plundering to be holy, a dwelling place of the Most High. (Psalm 15, 24:3-6)
Furthermore, this command is an encouragement to spend more time in prayer. Communication with the Commander is essential on the front-line battle of life! (Eph. 6:18) Prayer is power, (Col. 4:2-4) and without it I am defeated. (Matt. 26:41) In order to have one-accord power with Christ and other believers, I must rid myself of anything that would defile my “temple.” (1 Cor. 3:16-17)
Lord, make me so dependent on You that I cannot go even an hour without fellowship with You. Help me to seek Your face so deeply that I am appalled by my own sin. May I get rid of the ashes that I think are so important that I may cling to the glorious blessings You have for me.
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