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2 Chron 28 v 24 - Ahaz gathered together the furnishings from the temple of God and cut them in pieces. He shut the doors of the Lord's temple and set up alters at every street corner in Jerusalem. In every town in Judah he built high places to burn sacrifices to other gods and aroused the anger of the Lord.
2 Chron 29 v 3 - Hezekiah.... In the first month of the first year of his reign, he opened the doors of the temple of the Lord and repaired them. He brought in the priests and the Levites....and said.... consecrate yourselves now and consecrate the temple of the Lord....
Ahaz tried to prevent access to God by not only cutting off his own access, but also by preventing access for others. While Hezekiah opened the temple of the Lord to everyone again. Many have tried to prevent access to God other the years but it does not and cannot work - why - because God cannot be contained in a building, or box of any kind, God cannot be caged. He dwells in His people via the Holy Spirit.
However do we open or shut that door for the people we meet, maybe by our actions or attitudes. Do we encourage people to seek God or do we cause a hindrance.
There may even be times when we cannot imagine a particular person coming to know Christ - that is shutting the door.
Maybe we can even shut the door on ourselves with our thoughts and ideas when difficult situations present themselves. It is much better to leave the door open both for ourselves and for the benefit of others.
How do we ensure the door is kept open?
2 Chron 29 v 3 - Hezekiah.... In the first month of the first year of his reign, he opened the doors of the temple of the Lord and repaired them. He brought in the priests and the Levites....and said.... consecrate yourselves now and consecrate the temple of the Lord....
Ahaz tried to prevent access to God by not only cutting off his own access, but also by preventing access for others. While Hezekiah opened the temple of the Lord to everyone again. Many have tried to prevent access to God other the years but it does not and cannot work - why - because God cannot be contained in a building, or box of any kind, God cannot be caged. He dwells in His people via the Holy Spirit.
However do we open or shut that door for the people we meet, maybe by our actions or attitudes. Do we encourage people to seek God or do we cause a hindrance.
There may even be times when we cannot imagine a particular person coming to know Christ - that is shutting the door.
Maybe we can even shut the door on ourselves with our thoughts and ideas when difficult situations present themselves. It is much better to leave the door open both for ourselves and for the benefit of others.
How do we ensure the door is kept open?
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