Today’s Reading: 1 Kings 8:46-61; 2 Chronicles 5:2-14; 6:1-35,40-42; 7:1-10

The dedication of Solomon’s temple is a prime example of extravagant worship. They were worshiping the Living God at His extravagant dwelling-place among men, using musical instruments to sing His praises; and most of all, they extravagantly sacrificed 22,000 cattle and 122,000 sheep and goats! Wow!

At my workplace (I’m a meat-cutter), we process (kill & cut) 3,000 hogs a day. It takes us 8 1/2 to 9 hours to do only 3,000 (at 6 pigs per minute or 400/hour)! So, it blows me away that the Israelites sacrificed so much in so little time! Talk about extravagance!

Sometimes there are Christians who get very uptight about simplicity in the church. They say, “Great for the Israelites to worship God like that, but we are to be simple, simple, simple! Nothing over the top!” I’ve been guilty of that attitude as well! I’ve been to some churches (such as Hillsong London) where everything, from the singing to the speaking, seems to be almost professional! And (sadly) I’ve criticized those churches for coming across as “professional” and perfect. But, what’s wrong with a little extravagance at church once in a while? Isn’t the Lord worthy of it?