“Jesus went into the temple and threw out all those buying and selling. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling doves. He said to them, “It is written, my house will be called a house of prayer, but you are making it a den of thieves.” Matthew 21:12

This passage is so hard to read. When we read it knowing the words, “Don’t you yourselves know that you are God’s temple and that the Spirit of God lives in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16), more conviction comes. During the days that Jesus walked the earth as a man, He lived with purpose and accomplished what He came to do. The boldness of His temple clearing amazes me. Can you imagine if this happened today? And yet, do we not all need a good cleaning out before this new year begins? Will we be brave enough to ask Him? In light of this scripture may we ask that He search us, see if there is anything that does not belong and drive it out.

Lord, at times we become thieves of your glory, wanting attention and the praise of man more than we want you. Drive this desire out, for it is not of you. Overturn our tables of loud opinions and information that proves our point. May we return to prayer and humility. We have cut ourselves off from others because they do not go along with our plan and have our mindset. Reconcile us, Lord, for this is not your heart. You came to save sinners. May our actions point to you, for I fear we have abused others with our words of judgment. How your heart must break. We have sold the lie for so long that we only accept/love those who agree with us. Have mercy, for we once did not agree with You.

Come in and overturn the chairs of pride and comfort that keep us from being desperate enough to bow at Your feet for our every need. May we be humble enough to be wrong and accept correction from You, our loving Heavenly Father. And at Your feet may we find grace and mercy. Give us another chance to reflect You with a purity and holiness that was not there before. Have your way, Lord, as we walk into this coming year. May we look back with 20/20 corrected vision with eyes of love. Amen.