God Does Not Live In Church Buildings

Isaiah 66:1–2 (ESV) Thus says the LORD: “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool; what is the house that you would build for me, and what is the place of my rest? 2 All these things my hand has made, and so all these things came to be, declares the LORD. But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.

I love this text. 

God is the one who has the heavens as His throne. The stars and Sun cannot contain Him. They are a seat for His glory. The Earth is a footstool, a resting place. Whatever temple Israel built, it did not do Him service. 

The verse doesn't end there. The end is wonderful. God will look to the one who humbles himself, repents of sin, and trembles at His Word. What is this opening about? Simple. Israel had grown over-confident that it's religious practice was somehow making God happy. It wasn't. 

It is evident from Isaiah's next verse that worship in the sacrificial system had grown empty. 

Isaiah 66:3 (ESV) “He who slaughters an ox is like one who kills a man; he who sacrifices a lamb, like one who breaks a dog’s neck; he who presents a grain offering, like one who offers pig’s blood; he who makes a memorial offering of frankincense, like one who blesses an idol. These have chosen their own ways, and their soul delights in their abominations;

Worship in the form of dead religious practice can become abominable to God. It leads to a human arrogance rooted in one's "religious" performance. God hates it. 

And YET... in the midst of that lifeless religion, there were still some who would listen. To them, God speaks:

Isaiah 66:5 (ESV) Hear the word of the LORD, you who tremble at his word: “Your brothers who hate you and cast you out for my name’s sake have said, ‘Let the LORD be glorified, that we may see your joy’; but it is they who shall be put to shame.

Notice the relational conflict in these faithful followers. They were harassed by the "religious elite". They were cast out. Who else was ridiculed by such people? Who else was cast out and put to death? Jesus. He knows what it feels like to not fit in with a system of dead religion. 

Isaiah 66:6 (ESV) “The sound of an uproar from the city! A sound from the temple! The sound of the LORD, rendering recompense to his enemies!

God announces judgment. And where? At the very temple Solomon built for His name. This judgment would come. The temple would be demolished. Israel would face exile for 70 years. Why? Because not only did they ignore the poor, take advantage of their fellow man, and follow the enslaving practices of the nations around them; but they also worshipped in vain. They went through religious motions but had no heart for the Lord. 

God would rather a church building be demolished than house a Spirit-less, arrogant people who worship in their own imaginations. Worship the Lord in Spirit and Truth, Jesus says. You receive His Spirit when you submit to His truth. Amen.