Week 4 | Bronze Laver

Exodus 30:17-21; 38:8

Description

The next element we come to as we journey towards the Most Holy Place is the Bronze Laver.  We don’t actually have any description in the Bible of its size or shape, but appears to have been composed of two separate pieces – the basin and its stand.  We also know that it was crafted of bronze and mirrors.  While the image that may come to mind is that like a mirror we might have in our bathroom, the mirrors of ancient Israel were most likely highly polished pieces of metal - bronze in this case.  Beyond this, we don’t know much more about what it looked like, but we do know how it was to be used. 

God commanded that the laver be placed between the altar and the tabernacle and that Aaron and his sons, (the priests) were to wash both their hands and their feet before entering the tabernacle.  This cleansing was so important that God also commanded that if the priests did not follow His words, they would die (Exodus 30:17-21).  The Bible is not clear on how a priest might wash both his hands and feet from the laver and so there are a lot of artist’s conceptions as to what the laver may have looked like. 

The picture on the left has a basin, a stand, and a separate bowl that might be used to help wash the priest’s feet.  Another concept is like that pictured to the right. There is a basin on the top, but there is also a basin as part of the stand.  This would certainly make it easier to wash the feet, but the Bible makes no mention of a second basin that must be filled with water.  While I like the design of the second one, the first one probably fits a little more closely with the description in the Bible. 

Christ and the Bronze Laver

As we journey through the tabernacle, we will see how the movement of a High Priest through the outer courtyard and into the Most Holy Place will be similar to our own walk with Christ.  

 As I picture standing at the entrance into the outer courtyard, I am reminded of Christ’s words:  “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you” (Matt 7:7).  All we need to do is ask, seek and knock and we are free to enter in. 

The bronze altar is symbolic of Christ’s sacrifice, our repentance and God’s forgiveness.  Christ was the sacrifice made by God on our behalf.  We just need to be willing to receive this gift of new life from Him.   

The bronze laver is a symbol of cleansing and new life.  Just as the priests are washed of the blood on their hands and considered cleansed, we too were cleansed at the moment that we repented and were forgiven. 

Something that intrigues me about the laver is that it was made out of mirrors.  Why do you think the Bible specifically mentions that it was made out of mirrors?  Perhaps it was a visual reminder to the priests of the necessity of washing away the dirt and grime of their lives to enter into God’s presence?  How often do we pause and reflect on our own lives and seek to wash away the dirt and grime before we enter into worship?  God laid out some very specific directions to the priests and as part of His New Testament royal priesthood, I wonder if we shouldn’t be more thoughtful about our own approach to God.

Digging Deeper:  How do you prepare to come into worship?  Are there some 
intentional actions that you think about or that you do?  If not, what might you consider doing? 

Water is another symbol here that often refers to baptism in the Bible.  For example, look at 1 Peter 3:20-22:

 “…who (the spirits who were imprisoned) disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.”

I think as we consider the laver, we too can consider that “this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God.”  Had you ever thought about your baptism being symbolically portrayed over 3,000 years ago?  Isn’t it awesome how God wove in so many layers of symbolism in the tabernacle that we can trace forward in history to today?!  I find the deeper I dig and look at these things, another layer or dimension seems to be uncovered! 

We have the privilege as New Testament believers to see how the bronze altar came to correspond to the work Christ did on the cross.  We have the opportunity to understand how the offering of sacrifices is now our repentance and forgiveness.  We are blessed to understand how we no longer have the blood of Christ’s death on our hands; that we are washed clean and our new lives in Christ are represented in the bronze laver and its function.    

You may have heard that if you find something that is repeated in the Bible three times, that it is a very important passage or verse to pay attention to.  I think our understanding of the tabernacle and it’s ministry is incredibly important; so much so that there are over 50 chapters in the Bible that address the Tabernacle and its worship!  It is no wonder that the author of Hebrews was able to speak to the Jews making this comparison between tabernacle/temple worship and Christ!  Hebrews was written to the Jews, after all, and they would have understood this tabernacle pattern of worship.  Much of the Pentatuch (Genesis – Deuteronomy) goes into great detail on the pattern of worship God required of them beginning in the wilderness. 

Digging Deeper:  Spend some time with God simply thanking Him for His cleansing.  It is not something we do ourselves, but that is done for us so that we have the opportunity to spend time with the God of the universe!  All praise to Him alone!

God’s grace and peace to you until next time!

Tracy

Take My Life
By: Chris Tomlin
© 2003 worshiptogether.com songs | sixsteps Music
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agROj9nTQP4

Take my life and let it be consecrated, Lord, to Thee.
Take my moments and my days, let them flow in ceaseless praise.
Take my hands and let them move at the impulse of Thy love.
Take my feet and let them be swift and beautiful for Thee.

Take my voice and let me sing always, only for my King.
Take my lips and let them be filled with messages from Thee.
Take my silver and my gold not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect and use every power as You choose.

Here am I, all of me. Take my life, it's all for Thee.

Take my will and make it Thine it shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart it is Thine own it shall be Thy royal throne.
Take my love, my Lord I pour at Your feet its treasure store
Take myself and I will be ever, only, all for Thee.
Take myself and I will be ever, only, all for Thee.

Here am I, all of me. Take my life, it's all for Thee.

Healing Rain
By: Michael W. Smith  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31D2g7t5Bjs

Healing rain is coming down
It's coming nearer to this old town
Rich and poor, weak and strong
It's bringing mercy, it won't be long 

Healing rain is coming down
It's coming closer to the lost and found
Tears of joy, and tears of shame
Are washed forever in Jesus' name 

Healing rain, it comes with fire
So let it fall and take us higher
Healing rain, I'm not afraid
To be washed in Heaven's rain 

Lift your heads, let us return
To the mercy seat where time began
And in your eyes, I see the pain
Come soak this dry heart with healing rain 

And only You, the Son of man
Can take a leper and let him stand
So lift your hands, they can be held
By someone greater, the great I Am 

Healing rain, it comes with fire
So let it fall and take us higher
Healing rain, I'm not afraid
To be washed in Heaven's rain

To be washed in Heaven's rain...

Healing rain is falling down
Healing rain is falling down
I'm not afraid
I'm not afraid...

Week 3 | Bronze Altar

Exodus 27:1-8; 38:1-7  

Description
The first element we come to as we enter through the eastern “gate” of the outer courtyard is the bronze altar.  The altar was a place of animal sacrifice and atonement; atonement simply meaning to make amends for something that was wrong.  As we begin this journey, realize also that this was the beginning of the worship pattern that God laid out for us.  The altar is our place of offering, sacrifice and forgiveness.  It is also where we first meet God.  

So let's talk about the basic facts... the altar was a box-like structure that stood 4.5 feet tall and 7.5 feet around on each side.  Take a moment to look around the space you are in.  Picture a box in your midst that would stand 4.5 feet tall and is 7.5 feet on each side.  It’s really not that large!  On each of the four corners of this altar, a horn would protrude. 

The structure was made of acacia wood, covered in bronze and its description can be found in Exodus 27:1-8.  The Acacia tree is commonly found in the Sinai desert and its wood is extremely durable while its branches carry sharp thorns (...and also perhaps the wood that made up the thorn of crowns for Christ). Actually, if you've ever seen the desert area where the Israelites were, you might say it is the only green, living thing found in that desert!  I grew up in Arizona and the deserts there would be considered an oasis compared to the desert of the Sinai peninsula! 

Acacia Tree

When someone brought an offering that was to be burnt on the altar, the Lord commanded in Leviticus 1 that they would bring a male animal without any blemish or defect.  The individual would bring the animal forward, lay his hand on the head of the animal and slaughter it themselves.  The priests would then take the blood of that animal and sprinkle it on the altar, making atonement for that individual.  They would then tend to all the other rituals that were to be performed with the animal for the burnt offering.   

By laying the hand on the head of the animal, the individual had essentially passed on his sins to the animal that was offered as a substitute sacrifice to God.  In later weeks we will see that it was the blood of a sacrificial animal that was brought into the Most Holy Place by the High Priest for atonement and sprinkled before the Ark of the Covenant as a sacrifice on behalf of all of the people.  That blood was carried from the bronze altar into the Most Holy Place. 

It is interesting that it appears that the original fire for the altar was not something that man brought; God lit the fire that consumed the offering when the priests began their ministry in Lev. 9.  It was to be continually lit and to never go out according to Leviticus 6:12-13.  Because of this, it was truly God who was accepting this offering from man, because it was God’s fire that consumed the sacrifice that man brought to the altar.  It was the blood of the substitute that came in contact with God’s fire which allowed atonement for mankind. 

 

Digging Deeper:  Read through Leviticus 16. How do you view this passage as you compare it with 2 Cor 5:21?  What things come to mind as you ponder Christ as the substitute sacrifice?  

Timna Park - Israel: Bronze Altar with Tabernacle

Another interesting feature of the altar was its horns.  The horns of the altar were thought to be a place of help or refuge.  In 1 Kings 1:50-51 and 2:28 we find men who in fear for various circumstances, ran to the altar and took hold of the horns as a place of refuge.  The Bible never seems to clearly identify the purpose of the horns, but the symbolism to the Jews was probably significant.

Recall the story of Abraham and Isaac in Gen 22:1-19.  We know that God spoke to Abraham and told him to offer his son as a sacrifice.  Look closely at verses 12-13.  When God stopped Abraham from sacrificing Isaac, what did God do?  Most likely you already know the answer to that question; God provided a ram caught in the thicket as a substitutionary sacrifice.  What was the ram caught by?  His horns!  God secured the sacrifice in the thicket by the horns!  God offered help and a way out by the ram’s horns that got caught in the bush and so the rams horns holds a great deal of symbolism because of how God provided. 
 

The Bronze Altar and Christ

One of the things that I like to do as I read scripture is place myself in the story and allow it to engage the senses. As I began to ponder how the altar (or service at the altar) compared to the life of Christ, I felt it might be appropriate to try and place myself at that bronze altar in that tabernacle complex.  What would it have felt like to be a Jew bringing an animal for sacrifice at that bronze altar?  What would go through my mind as I led an animal to the priest, knowing that I was leading that animal to a place where I would shed its blood?  How would it feel to have to physically take the life of an animal as a substitute for the areas in my life where I screwed up? I can’t imagine laying my hand on the head of that animal and killing it.  I can’t imagine how I would feel watching the blood flow out and the life taken away because of the stupid things I have done. I can’t imagine watching it struggle to breath and finally take its last breath – all because I messed up in my life.  How about you?  Can you feel how you would have felt?  How you might have approached that altar?  Stop and consider what that scene might look like for you.

Now how does it feel to see that Christ was that animal – that substitute offering for sin?  He was the substitute offering for MY sins.  

Christ was that perfect, unblemished substitute offering that was led to slaughter and offered on behalf of all mankind  (Hebrews 9:14).  While I didn’t personally pound those nails into the cross, it was because of my sin that He had to endure death on that cross.  It was my sin that caused Him to be led to that altar – the cross.  It was my sin that caused Him to be led to the slaughter.  It was my sin that caused His blood to flow and His final breath to be taken.  It might as well have been me that whipped Him, pounded the nails in and hung Him on that cross.  My sin – my screw ups caused that to happen.  That knocks the breath out of me. 

The beauty of the story though is that Jesus; our perfect unblemished sacrifice went willingly because He knew that it was for my benefit – and yours!  He endured death!  He endured the cross and most importantly, He rose again!  He willingly went there because He knew that His substitutionary death (just like that animal sacrifice) made a way for heaven and earth to connect!  It was His blood that was shed on the fire of that altar and accepted by the Father as atonement for my sin!  It was Christ’s blood that was shed that allows me to go hand in hand with Him and offer worship that is accepted in the heavenly realms by God the Father!  Ok… THAT knocks the breath out of me!  What about you?

Digging Deeper:  Read also Heb 12:2; John 1:29; 1 Peter 1:19; Rom 12:1; 2 Cor 5:21

God’s grace and peace to you until next time!

Tracy

O, The Blood

by Thomas and Mary Beth Miller

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1vDZJlTL_A&feature=related

VERSE 1
O the blood; Crimson love
Price of life's demand
Shameful sin placed on Him
The Hope of every man

CHORUS
O the blood of Jesus washes me
O the blood of Jesus shed for me
What a sacrifice that saved my life
Yes, the blood, it is my victory

VERSE 2
Savior Son; Holy One
Slain so I can live
See the Lamb, The great I Am
Who takes away my sin

BRIDGE
O the blood of the Lamb
O the blood of the Lamb
O the blood of the Lamb
The precious blood of the Lamb
What a sacrifice that saved my life
Yes, the blood, it is my victory

VERSE 3
O what love, No greater love
Grace, how can it be
That in my sin, yes, even then
He shed His blood for me

At the Cross
by Bethany (Baroni) Nicholson
© 2003 Glory Alleluia Music
 www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkswa7R4Lm4 

Holy, abandoned, passionate grace

Flowing along with the blood from your face

Seen from a distance, looked on with fear

Ultimate sacrifice to draw us near

At the cross, lies the hope of the world

At the cross, where dreams lay unfurled

At the cross, is the victory won

Life does not end, its begun at the cross

Seemed like a failure, all hope was lost

Death cried triumphantly “where is your God?”

The whole earth was shaken with no one to save

When out of the darkness You conquered the grave!

At the cross, lies the hope of the world

At the cross, where dreams lay unfurled

At the cross, is the victory won

Life does not end, its begun at the cross

Week 2 | Outer Courtyard

Exodus 27:9-19; 38:9-20   

Description
I’m not sure about you, but I have always tended to view the stories and the objects of the Bible to be much larger than they really were.  I have never really figured out why I have a tendency to do this except that perhaps since I cherish the Bible so deeply and it is a HUGE part of my life, I tend to do the same with the content in the Bible.  Before we begin to look at the elements of the tabernacle in parallel with the life of Christ, I thought it might be good to lay out the overall camp of the Israelites.  As we look particularly at the outer courtyard today, perhaps it may surprise you to learn of its actual size as it did me!  What do you think of when you think of the tabernacle?  How big is it?  What is its function?

I used to picture the tabernacle as a fence of some sort surrounding some other objects and this complex being surrounded by millions of people camping in tents.  The priests had their duties offering sacrifices there and whatever else priests did, the Ark of the Covenant was there and there was an altar for burnt offering.  I could recall something about a menorah, a table with bread on it and an altar for incense, but I didn’t know much more beyond that. As far as size goes, I would have guessed that since there were possibly millions of people wandering the desert, this structure, in my mind, had to be at least the size of a large shopping mall; perhaps even the size of a large stadium.

Digging Deeper:  Read Exodus 27:9-21; 38:9-20.  What impression of the outer courtyard do you have as you read these verses?  What pictures come to mind?



The actual size of the courtyard was approximately 75 feet wide, by 150 long and stood 7.5 feet high (23m x 46m x 2.5m).  If you are familiar with an American NFL football field, this would be approximately one quarter of the field.  It would extend from the goal line to the 25 yard line and from sideline to sideline.  That’s certainly not the size of the whole stadium that I first envisioned!  A fence of white linen stood in a rectangle with an opening on the eastern side of the structure for the people to enter.  Bronze and silver posts and bases were made to hold the white linen fence.  The actual tabernacle itself (the white divided rectangle inside the blue box above) was housed within this fence as well as the bronze altar and the bronze laver.

Timna Park - Israel

The tabernacle complex was at the center of the Israelite camp.  The Israelites were camped around the tabernacle complex in a very orderly fashion designed by God.  Three tribes were camped on each compass point of the complex and when God led them to a new area, each of the families and clans were to march out and resettle in the order God prescribed. 

Digging Deeper:  Read Numbers 2:1-3:39 for the full description of how the Israelites were to be arranged. 

War Camp
This camp arrangement was not uncommon in the Ancient Near East (ANE).  Those who might have seen the Israelites passing through the dessert would likely have viewed this as a war camp.  When a pharaoh or a king would lead his troops, the arrangement of the camp would be very similar.  There would be an outer courtyard and a structure much like the tabernacle (divided into two rooms) within the courtyard.  The inner most room (comparable to the Most Holy Place) would have been where the king or the pharaoh would reside while the outer room (the Holy Place) would be where he would meet his commanding officers.  One of the major differences from the Israelite camp, however, was that the innermost room would contain idols to the gods that were worshiped, whereas the Israelites had God Himself.  We will learn more about these rooms in the tabernacle, but for now, consider the differences between the pagan war camp and the camp of Israel.  

The Most Holy Place was where the King’s manifest presence (God Himself) would reside and the Holy Place was where the priests, who were set apart by the King for service, would come to do their duties and “tend” to the King.  The very God of the Universe was on the move with His people through the wilderness!

Take a moment and read through Exodus 15: 13-18.  The Israelites were not casually wandering the desert; the nations would tremble and were in fear at the sight of the Israelites camp, particularly as they came in to settle the land promised by God!  God himself was leading the people of Israel to His holy land and it was by His desire that the Israelites would conquer and displace those whom God chose!  He was their commanding warrior!  I'm not sure about you, but I never pictured a war camp with God as the commanding warrior.  What an amazing picture!

Digging Deeper:  What stood out for you in your study today?  Does this description of God dwelling with the people as their warrior King leading His people into battle match up with how you first thought of the Israelites wandering the desert?  Does this change any perceptions you may have had?  I would love to hear your comments!

God’s grace and peace to you until next time!

Tracy

Days of Elijah
by Robin Mark
Copyright: ©1996 Song Solutions Daybreak
www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWSATpx7uzk

These are the days of Elijah
Declaring the Word of the Lord, yes
And these are the days of his servant, Moses
Righteousness being restored
And these are the days of great trial
Of famine and darkness and sword
So we are the voice in the desert crying
Prepare ye the way of the Lord

CHORUS:
Behold he comes
Riding on a cloud
Shining like the sun
At the trumpet's call
Lift your voice
It's the year of jubilee
And out of Zion's hill salvation comes

And these are the days of Ezekiel
With dry bones becoming as flesh
And these are the days of his servant, David
Building the temple of praise, yes
And these are the days of the harvest
The fields are all white in the world
And we are the laborers that are in your vineyard
declaring the word of the Lord

CHORUS 2X
Behold he comes
Riding on a cloud
Shining like the sun
At the trumpet's call
Lift your voice
It's the year of jubilee
And out of Zion's hill salvation comes

You Are Holy
By: Michael W. Smith
Copyright: ©1994 Imboden Music / Martha Jo Publishing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcq0QKRFVs8&feature=related

You are holy (You are holy)
You are mighty (You are mighty)
You are worthy (You are worthy)
Worthy of praise (Worthy of praise)

I will follow (I will follow)
I will listen (I will listen)
I will love You (I will love you)
All of my days (All of my days)

I will sing to (You are Lord of Lords)
And worship (You are King of kings)
The King who (You are mighty God)
Is worthy (Lord of everything)
I will love and (You're Emanuel)
Adore You (You're the Great I am)
And I will bow down (You're my Prince of peace)
before You (Who is the Lamb)
I will sing to (You're my living God)
And worship (You're my saving grace)
The King who (You will reign forever)
Is worthy (You are ancient of days)
I will love and (You are alpha, omega)
Adore You (beginning and end)
And I will bow down (You're my Savior, Messiah)
Before You (Redeemer and friend)
You're my Prince of Peace
And I will live my life for You
(Repeat above 2x)

Week 1 | A Parable of the Tabernacle

Me and my hubby, Matt

Grace and peace to you!  I am so excited to begin this journey with you as we explore the symbolism of the Tabernacle alongside the life of Christ!  It is my prayer that this devotional and teaching will encourage you and your personal worship time.  This has been a study that has been developing for me over the past couple years and I will admit up front that this is the first time I have attempted anything of this magnitude and you are my guinea pigs!  God keeps moving me out of my comfort zone and writing this study was definitely not something on my radar, but He has been fanning a flame within me to share on this subject.   My faith has definitely been encouraged as I see how God established His pattern of worship for us and linked Old Testament worship with the New Testament.  I hope that you are encouraged too and that you will join the discussion and share your thoughts and how God may be speaking to you. 

A Parable
Over the next few weeks, we are going to look at a parable of the tabernacle.  A parable is simply a story or illustration used to teach truth. Thayer’s Greek Lexicon defines a parable as being “a placing of one thing by the side of another” or “a thing serving as a figure of something else.”  I grew up in a Christian home and learned early on that Jesus often used parables as He taught.  I remember many of the parables from Sunday School, but what I don’t remember is learning the parable of the tabernacle.  Perhaps it is because it’s not an illustration that can be found by simply turning to one particular passage in the Bible.  It is a parable that requires a certain amount of study and digging into God’s Word.

Let’s look at Hebrews 9:1-10.  The writer of Hebrews gives a brief description of the Tabernacle and then ends in verse 5 with “But we cannot discuss these things in detail now.” That’s perhaps the most frustrating verse in the Bible to me!  I would have LOVED to hear a New Testament writer explain the Tabernacle from his point of view!  But he quickly moves on.  In 9:9, we read that the Tabernacle is an “illustration.”  The Greek word used here is parabole, where we get our English translation parable.  The tabernacle, the priest’s duties and the purpose of the tabernacle can be viewed alongside the life of Jesus – our ultimate High Priest. The tabernacle and its ministry is symbolic of how we, as sinners, can receive forgiveness and have the privilege to “approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” Hebrews 4:16.  Isn’t that awesome?!  We sinned back in the Garden of Eden and God loved us so dearly that He prepared the way for mankind to come back to Him; first through tabernacle worship and then through Christ and the new covenant.  What a gracious and loving God we serve!  As we look more deeply at this parable, I hope that it will draw us all to see the amazing connection that God linked between Old Testament worship through the tabernacle and New Testament worship through Christ. 

So why would I choose to focus on this subject?  I am fascinated by the passages that speak of believers as being a living temple of God (1 Cor 3:16-17, 6:19) or a royal and holy priesthood (1 Pet 2:4-5, 9).  Those phrases sound nice, but what do they really mean?  How does this impact our worship?  Does it impact our worship at all?  While Paul and Peter both use the term temple, it is important to remember that both the tabernacle and temple served the same purpose.  The temple, however, was on a larger and grander scale than the tabernacle and was in a fixed location.  The tabernacle was portable and easily moved by the Israelites through the desert.  In order to understand what it means to be a living temple or part of the royal priesthood, I think it is important to take an in depth look at what these things would have meant to the Jews. 

Weekly Format
Over the next several weeks together, we are going to take a look at this parable and it is my hope that as we lay the tabernacle alongside Jesus, we will see how the elements and rituals performed in the Tabernacle point to Christ and His redemptive work.  Each week, I will present a different element of the Tabernacle and together we will look at what the Bible says about the construction of those elements, the uses for which they were created and how they point to Christ.

Throughout our time together, I will place “Digging Deeper” items for you to consider.  As your first “Digging Deeper” item, consider reading through Hebrews chapters 8, 9, and 10 to see how the author viewed Christ in comparison with the temple/tabernacle and the priests with the days to come.  Read slowly through each chapter and then return and reread each chapter again.  What stood out to you?  Was there anything in particular that God spoke clearly to you about?  Another dimension to this study will be to dialogue with one another.  Please feel free to share your comments and how God is speaking to you.  I would love to hear them!

At the end of each devotional, I would encourage you to spend some time in prayer, thanksgiving and worship for the things God lays on your heart as you spend time with Him.  I will also include lyrics and/or a link to a worship song or two that you may or not be familiar with.  Having been a worship leader for many years, it is simply my desire to leave you with a song in your heart and on your lips to express to God.  Feel free to use those songs however you choose.  :-) 

I hope this time is beneficial to you and it is my prayer that God uses your time with Him to speak to your heart in whatever ways you might need to hear from Him.  I would love to hear from you over the course of this study with your suggestions for improving this devotional or with stories of how God is speaking to you.  Please feel free to post your comments below, on Facebook or contact me directly by email!

God’s grace and peace to you until next time!

Tracy

Sanctuary

By: City Harvest Church – KC Gan

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqpdUGZH7PM&feature=related

When my world was in darkness You spoke Your Word
Night turned into day, Your beauty filled this place

When my world stood in silence You filled my heart
With songs that never end; Forever I will praise

To think that the universe could not withhold Your glory
You choose to live in me; I'm so amazed

I worship you Lord, My life in You restored
Here is my heart make it Your sanctuary
For nobody else, but Jesus only (You)

You are faithful and true; Glorious lord
All my life it is You I adore
You've touched my soul
Completed my world I surrender to You

Better Is One Day

By:  Matt Redman

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLxqHjctAN4&feature=fvwrel

How lovely is Your dwelling place, Oh Lord Almighty
My soul longs and even faints for You
For here my heart is satisfied, within Your presence
I sing beneath the shadow of Your wings

Better is one day in Your courts
Better is one day in Your house
Better is one day in Your courts
Than thousands elsewhere
(repeat)

One thing I ask, and I would seek, to see Your beauty,
To find You in the place Your glory dwells

My heart and flesh cry out, For You the living God
Your Spirit's water for my soul
I've tasted and I've seen, Come once again to me.
I will draw near to You. I will draw near to You