Despite their fear of the peoples around them, they built the altar on its foundation and sacrificed burnt offerings on it to the Lord, both the morning and evening sacrifices. On the first day of the seventh month they began to offer burnt offerings to the Lord, though the foundation of the Lord’s temple had not yet been laid. Ezra 3:3,6
God’s people began worshiping from the inside out. They started with the altar, where sins were atoned. Then they moved to the more outward expression of their faith, living in tents or booths. All of this as a priority, even before the temple itself was finished being built. We too are to give a priority to the inward man, the worship of God from the heart.
Are offerings and worship a regular part of my inward thought and prayer life? Do I give priority to what is on the inside or rather to what is outward?
God, if I were still within the sacrificial system, burnt offerings would rise for me daily. I thank You that Jesus died once for all. Cleanse me on the inside even as You are building this temple.
