“Bring Back The House Of God To A House Of Prayer!”

“Bring Back The House Of God To A House Of Prayer!”(Lk.19:41-48).
Even in matters of faith there is a thesis, antithesis leading to a synthesis.
In issues of faith the requirements and expectations is the thesis. This is the “what ought”; meanwhile the antithesis is “what is!”
What is, is diametrically opposed to what ought and requires a synthesis – a new viewpoint (a modified thesis) which resolves the problems.
The thesis of faith is obedience to God, the antithesis is disobedience to God wrapped in ritualistic religious practices and faithfulness in “churchianity” in the guise of obedience. The synthesis is a Revival, Renewal or Reformation.
We have come to the point where we need a revival, short of which we fill the landscape with all kinds of Churches, worshipping in all kinds of ways, with well formulated doctrines, yet without Christ whom we profess.
Speaking through Jeremiah the LORD says, “Reform your ways and your actions and I will let you live in this place. Do not trust in deceptive words and say, ‘This is the temple of the LORD…’…you are trusting in deceptive words that are worthless…”
We cannot engage in all kinds of evil and stand before God in the house that bears his Name and say, ‘We are safe,’ while we continue to do detestable things as if God’s house has become a den of robbers!(Jer.7:1-11).
Whatever Jeremiah may have achieved in his time through the reforms he advocated for, by the time of the Lord Jesus Christ it had gone back to the same abnormality considered as a new normal.
Jesus wept over the impending desolation of the city of Jerusalem. While the people thought they were in peace, Jesus said it was hidden from them.
*Jesus’ cry “If you…had only known on this day what would bring you peace…” resounds in our generation, in our land and the entire continent if Africa.
God is not dead as Nietzsche said. God is alive.
Jesus did not only cry for Jerusalem, he did not leave the statusquo the way he met it. He led in a reform. He entered the temple area and drove out those who made financial gains in God’s house in God’s name!
He reminded them as he is reminding us now: *”My house will be a house of prayer; but you have made it ‘a den of robbers.'”*
Oh yes, it is a time for a synthesis. It is time for a revival to sweep across the land. A revival, not about praying and dancing and vigils, but about a moral rearmarment!
We may have hardened our hearts to God’s word because has bound all men to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all”(Rom.11:25-32).
Turn to God with a contrite and penitent heart so that he can show you mercy.
Sunday prayer: Holy Spirit help me to focus on God’s house a house prayer and not a place to seek my own gain. Amen!
Have a blessed Sunday! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.