LEAVING THE HOLY PLACE
Today's reading: 2 Chronicles 1-5

"Then the priests left the Holy Place..." 2 Chronicles 5:11 NLT

The construction was complete.

The furnishings were in place.

The curtains were hanging.

The lamp stands were lit.

The Ark now rested in its place.

So the priests leave.

They leave this holy place.

They leave this place where God has chosen to reside.

They leave this place where sacrifices are offered and atonement is given.

How many of the priests wanted to stay? To sit in His presence? To bask in the glory He brought to the sanctuary? To inhale the incense of His Spirit? To hear His scrolls read?

But they left the building. They went their separate ways. They walked to their homes. They conducted business in their neighborhood markets. The stood on nearby hills and looked over the glorious structure David and Solomon had built. The interacted with others.

I know this, they left as different people after having been in that Place.

And we should, too. Anytime we leave a worship service. Anytime we step away from our prayer chairs. Anytime we walk out of our prayer closets. We should be different.

And that difference should impact our world.