A Place of Worship
From the beginning of creation God's people have met to worship HIM in a variety of places—from the awe-inspiring outdoors of the Garden of Eden, from Solomon's temple to the hidden caves and catacombs, to the majestic cathedrals, and to the modern churches and schools.
Is there a specific place of worship that would most honor and glorify God?
Isaiah 66:1-2 says, "Hear the Word of God: 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? 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."
According to these verses it's not so much the place of worship that God dwells—HIS place of rest. It's coming to meet our loving, compassionate, and relational Creator in the spirit of humbleness, brokenness, and showing the uttermost respect for and delighting in His holy words.
Jesus tells the story of two worshippers that had varying spirits of worship. "Two men went up to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed, 'O God, I thank you that I'm not like other people—thieves, dishonest people, adulterers, or even this tax collector. I fast twice a week, and I give a tenth of my entire income. But the tax collector stood at a distance and would not even look up to heaven. Instead, he continued to beat his chest and said, 'O God, be merciful to me, the sinner that I am. I tell you, this man, rather than the other one, went down to his home justified, because everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the person who humbles himself will be exalted." Luke 18:10-14
How can we connect with our Lord and Saviour who humbled Himself to rescue us from sin if we do not have the spirit of humbleness and of a broken spirit? The tax collector felt his need for the Saviour and went home being filled with all the fullness of God.
Lastly, God dwells with those who respect and honor His words. "The LORD then stood beside Samuel and called out as he had done before, "Samuel! Samuel!" "I'm listening," Samuel answered. "What do you want me to do?" 1 Samuel 3:10. Notice here that Samuel was willing to listen to the words of God and do what ever God wanted him to do.
The purpose in the place of worship is to connect, grow, and encourage others. The resting and dwelling place of God are those who are humble, broken, listen, and follow through with His Holy words.
When there are contentions and questions on the place of worship Jesus says, "The hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such to worship Him.