Hebrews 11:10  “For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God.”

There is a place, Lord

Far from the blood-soaked ziggurats in the land You called our father from

Far from the spreading trees and high places of Israel’s idolatrous youth

Far from the pagan temples of the nations You exiled them to

There was a hint of it long ago, when Melchizedek blessed Abraham, and brought out bread and wine

When God stayed the hand of His obedient servant, and provided a sacrifice for the offering, that Isaac the child of promise might live 

When the tent of the Tabernacle was raised, and the image of Your glory began faintly to appear

When David longed to build Your temple, yet You said, “A man of blood shall not build a house for My Name”

When Solomon stretched out his hands over the new place of worship and prayed, “Hear from Heaven Your dwelling place, and when You hear, forgive”

When the older people wept at the laying of the new foundation in the days of Ezra, because they remembered the beauty of the old temple

When Isaiah cried out at the unveiling of the glory of Your Throne, and the foundations of the thresholds shook, and the house was filled with smoke

When Jesus said, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it up again in three days”

When Jesus in His resurrected body answered Thomas, “Have you believed because you have seen Me? Blessed are those who have not seen, and yet have believed”

And with John we see a vision of the Holy City, the New Jerusalem, coming down out of Heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her Husband. Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man, and He will wipe every tear from their eyes

Blessed are those whose strength is with You, in whose hearts are the highways to Zion

Amen