“And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split” (Matthew 27:51 ESV).
Matthew recorded that at the moment of Jesus’ death, the temple curtain was torn “from top to bottom.” This detail mattered. The veil was enormous and thick, separating the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place, the symbol of God’s dwelling. By noting that it was torn from top to bottom, Matthew showed that this was God’s action, not man’s. Heaven initiated what humanity could never accomplish.
The tearing signified the end of the old covenant sacrificial system. The sacrifices that had been offered year after year were fulfilled in Christ’s once-for-all atonement. It also proclaimed new access to God through Jesus. As Hebrews later explained: “Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh” (Heb. 10:19–20). The torn curtain symbolized that Christ’s body would be given so that the barrier between holy God and sinful man would be removed. Finally, it signaled judgment on the temple establishment itself, revealing that the earthly system had reached its fulfillment in Him.
The torn curtain means that we are no longer kept at a distance. We are not spiritual outsiders waiting for permission to enter, we are God’s children welcomed in. Yet how often do we live as if the veil still hangs? We shrink back in prayer, rehearse our failures, or attempt to earn what has already been secured. Let us take full advantage of the access that Christ has purchased. Let us approach the Father boldly, confess freely, worship joyfully, and pray expectantly. The curtain of separation was torn, therefore “let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb. 4:16).
PRAYER: Dear Father, we praise You for tearing the curtain from top to bottom through the sacrifice of Your Son. Thank You for the new and living way opened to us. Forgive us when we act as though we are still separated from You. Teach us to draw near with confidence and gratitude, resting fully in Christ’s finished work. In Jesus’ name, amen.
“And they came, everyone whose heart stirred him, and everyone whose spirit moved him, and brought the LORD’s contribution to be used for the tent of meeting” (Exodus 35:21 ESV).
When Moses put the word out to the people of Israel, calling them to bring their contributions for the building of the Tent of Meeting, their hearts were stirred to give. Their spirits were so moved that they brought so much that Moses had to tell them to stop. For they had brought more than enough (Ex. 36:5-7).
God is honored when His people worship Him by giving with “stirred” hearts and “moved” spirits. The first has to do with the emotion and the other the will. One with a stirred heart is filled with passion for God’s kingdom work. They enthusiastically bring their offering of praise. One who is moved with a willing spirit serves God, not out of duty, but out of desire. They want to serve and give.
God cares more for the attitude of our hearts in giving, than in the amount of our gifts. As the apostle Paul told the Corinthian believers, “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Cor. 9:7).
Have you noticed that generous people are joyful people? Indeed, the opposite is also true. For misers are miserable, but givers are glad. Has God stirred and moved you to have a generous heart?
PRAYER: Dear Lord, we thank You for the gifts and blessings You have bestowed on us. We are forever grateful. We are stirred and moved to sacrificially give back to You in gratitude and worship. All that we are and all that we have are from You and belong to You. Help us to grow in our gratitude and generosity. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
“I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears” (Psalm 34:4 ESV).
David wrote this psalm while he was on the run from King Saul. He had even tried to gain favor with a foreign king named Abimelech, but became afraid and feigned insanity to escape him. So at a time when David couldn’t go home, nor even find a safe place among his enemies, he “sought the Lord.”
Have you ever felt like David? Surrounded by fears? Overcome by anxiety? Not knowing which way to turn? Why not turn to the Lord as David did? Seek the Lord. As the Lord told the prophet Jeremiah, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart” (Jer. 29:13).
Sometimes it seems that the only way we can truly seek the Lord with all our hearts is to have everything else that our heart seeks stripped away. Yet, finding the Lord, we will also find, as David did, that He delivers us from all our fears. Because “where God’s love is, there is no fear, because God’s perfect love drives out fear” (1 John 4:18).
PRAYER: Dear Father, we seek You today. Answer us as we seek You with all our hearts. For where You are, there is no fear. Your perfect love drives out fear. Thank You for hearing our prayer. In Jesus’ name, amen.
‘At about three o’clock, Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli lema sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?”’ (Matthew 27:46 NLT).
This is one of the seven last sayings of Jesus from the cross. The apostle Matthew recorded them in the original Aramaic that Jesus spoke, followed by its translation. Perhaps he recorded the actual words because they were so emotionally heart rending. Or perhaps it was because Jesus repeated David’s haunting words verbatim from Psalm 22:1.
For the first time in eternity, fellowship between the Father and the Son was interrupted. Jesus who knew no sin, became our sin. Jesus who is the Life, took our death. Jesus the eternal Son of God, took our separation. So, we might receive His righteousness, life and sonship by believing in Him.
What was Jesus’ seventh saying? “It is finished” (John 19:30). Jesus accomplished His mission for our salvation. Now because of Jesus, we can place our trust in Him to be made right with the Father. Christ was forsaken that we might be accepted. For now the Father has said to those who believe: “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Heb. 13:5).
PRAYER: Dear Father, we are amazed at Your love for us. That You would forsake Your own Son in order to accept us. Yet by Your great power You have raised Jesus from the grave, so that He lives, always interceding for us. Strengthen us this day by Your Spirit that we might always live for You. In Jesus’ name, amen.
The modern separation between the sacred and the secular is not the wholistic view of faith and vocation that is seen in the Bible. Consider these two men whom Moses named in Exodus because of their God-given talent as craftsmen. He described Bezalel as being “chosen” (Ex.35:30) by the Lord to work as the lead craftsman in building the tabernacle. Both he and Oholiab were similarly gifted by and called by God to do this highly skilled work. Moses even described Bezalel as being “filled with the Spirit” (Ex.35:31), not only to do all kinds of specialized work as a craftsman, but also as one whom God “inspired to teach” (Ex.35:34) others his craft.
All work is sacred when it is done for the Lord. As the apostle Paul wrote, “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men” (Col.3:23).
PRAYER: Dear Father, help us to see our work as more than necessary drudgery, but divine calling. And help us to do it with all of our heart and passion, knowing that we are ultimately serving you. Let our work be a platform for sharing the gospel with those around us. In Jesus’ name, amen.
David wrote this psalm while he was on the run from King Saul. He had even tried to gain favor with a foreign king named Abimelech, but became afraid and feigned insanity to escape him. So at a time when David couldn’t go home, nor even find a safe place among his enemies, he “sought the Lord.”
Have you ever felt like David? Surrounded by fears? Overcome by anxiety? Not knowing which way to turn? Why not turn to the Lord as David did? Seek the Lord. As the Lord told the prophet Jeremiah, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart” (Jer. 29:13).
Sometimes it seems that the only way we can truly seek the Lord with all our hearts is to have everything else that our heart seeks stripped away. Yet, finding the Lord, we will also find, as David did, that He delivers us from all our fears. Because “where God’s love is, there is no fear, because God’s perfect love drives out fear” (1 John 4:18).
PRAYER: Dear Father, we seek You today. Answer us as we seek You with all our hearts. For where You are, there is no fear. Your perfect love drives out fear. Thank You for hearing our prayer. In Jesus’ name, amen.
The modern separation between the sacred and the secular is not the wholistic view of faith and vocation that is seen in the Bible. Consider these two men whom Moses named in Exodus because of their God-given talent as craftsmen. He described Bezalel as being “called by name” (Ex.35:30) by the Lord to work as the lead craftsman in building the tabernacle. Both he and Oholiab were similarly gifted by and called by God to do this highly skilled work. Moses even described Bezalel as being “filled with the Spirit” (Ex.35:31), not only to do all kinds of specialized work as a craftsman, but also as one whom God “inspired to teach” (Ex.35:34) others his craft.
All work is sacred when it is done for the Lord. As the apostle Paul wrote, “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men” (Col.3:23).
PRAYER: Dear Father, help us to see our work as more than necessary drudgery, but divine calling. And help us to do it with all of our heart and passion, knowing that we are ultimately serving you. Let our work be a platform for sharing the gospel with those around us. In Jesus’ name, amen.
God is honored when His people worship Him with “stirred” hearts and “moved” spirits. The first has to do with the emotion and the other the will. One with a stirred heart is filled with passion for God’s kingdom work. They enthusiastically bring their offering of praise. One who is moved with a willing spirit serves God, not out of duty, but out of desire. They want to serve and give. God cares more for the condition of our heart in giving, than in the content of our gifts. Equal sacrifice, not equal gifts.
PRAYER: Dear Lord, we thank You for the gifts and blessing You have bestowed on us. We are forever grateful. We are stirred and moved to sacrificially give back to You in gratitude and worship. All that we are and all that we have are from You and belong to You. Help us to grow in our gratitude and generosity. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
David invited others to come with him to worship the Lord. He wanted to hear testimonies of the Lord’s greatness and he wanted to sing songs praising the Lord’s name. It is good to praise the Lord alone. Yet, it is even better to praise the Lord together with other believers.
We say, “Bless you!” when someone sneezes, meaning “I wish you good health.” But what does it mean to “bless the Lord?” David answers this question for us, when he further stated, “His praise shall continually be in my mouth.” The word “praise” is a synonym for “bless,” which can also include the meaning, “to worship,” or “to glorify.”
The Jewish prayer before the breaking of bread at mealtime begins with this word, “bless” (“baruch”). However, rather than asking God to bless the food, their prayer blesses the Lord Himself for giving them bread. The prayer in Hebrew is: “Barukh atah Adonai Elohaynu melekh ha-olam ha-motzi lechem min ha-aretz. Amein.” (“Blessed art Thou O Lord, our God, King of the Universe who bringeth forth bread from the earth. Amen”).
In this psalm, David declared his intent not only to “bless” and “praise” the Lord, but to do it “continually” and “at all times.” In other words, he declared his resolve to bless the Lord not only when he had bread to eat, but also when he was hungry and no bread could be found. Or as Job said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD” (Job 1:21).
What kind of day are you having today? Are you blessing the Lord in it regardless?