CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 949

“Inside Out”

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us… (Ephesians 3:20,21)

The lyrics to the song, From The Inside Out by Hillsong preach the truth of who we are and the overcoming power we have in Christ Jesus. How many of us who profess to be Christians live an overcoming lifestyle from the inside out recognizing that we are His holy temple? Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? (1 Corinthians 3:16)

How many of us remain in awe and maintain a reverential fear of the abiding presence of God in our hearts? But he who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him…So glorify God in your body. (1 Corinthians 6:17-20)

How many of us have taken Him for granted and are living from the outside in rather than from the inside out? And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzzah, and he struck him down because he put out his hand to the ark, and he died there before God. (1 Chronicles 13:10)

On the surface it seems that God struck down Uzzah for doing a good deed. In fact this whole scenario led by David was all wrong and in abject disobedience to God’s law concerning the Ark of the Covenant. In the first place the Ark was not supposed to be transported on a cart pulled by oxen but rather carried with long poles by Levites from the Kohathite division. The ark had been in Uzzah’s father’s house for some time. Perhaps because of Uzzah’s familiarity with the Ark he had lost his sense of awe and respect for the temple of God which is why his act of steadying it angered God.

I am challenged to examine my own heart. Have I lost the sense of awe and reverence for the indwelling presence of God in my heart? Am I caring for God’s temple in accordance with His Word or am I defiling it and destroying it by indulging my fleshly appetites? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple. (1 Corinthians 3:17)

Am I set apart and sanctified in relating to God by trying to be obedient to rules and ritual practices and doctrines of the church or am I continually aware of His abiding presence in me – His temple? …circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. (Romans 2:28)

I confess that I have a habit of taking action in my own way first and seeking the Lord’s direction through prayer only after my attempts fail. This is akin to living life from the outside in. Can you relate? Can you prayerfully sing these lyrics?

In my heart in my soul 
I give you control 
Consume me from the inside out Lord – Excerpt lyrics From The Inside Out by Hillsong

May the cry of our hearts be to praise Him and love Him from the inside out. May you be always aware that you are His holy temple and live from the inside out to His glory and praise.