March 1
The Continual Burnt Offering" T he tops of the pillars were in the shape of lilies. So the work of the pillars was finished."
Everything in the temple, as in the tabernacle before it, spoke of Christ. “In his sanctuary every whit of it utters His glory” (Psalms 29:9, literal rendering). The great pillars Jachim (“He will establish”) and Boaz (“In Him is strength”) speak of His power and might. The lily work at the top speaks of the lowliness and beauty of His character. To those who overcome He says, “I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God” (Revelation 3:12). His pillars must be strong in the Lord and the power of His might, but there must also be the beauty of holiness, the lowly grace which was seen in all perfection in Him. No experience is valueless which tends to reproduce Christ in us. No suffering is too great if it results in that lily-work which is so precious in the eyes of God. The lovely flowers of His grace give beauty to the sturdy pillar that tells of His power.
In this, Thy temple, Lord, Thy lilies carve.
Upon the pillars of my soul engrave
Thy handiwork. Let me not save
One corner from the sharpness of Thy chisel,
That might make known to others Thou wast there
And marked it for Thyself. Let sorrow, care,
And pain leave only echoes of Thy beauty,
Fast in the pattern of my heart and face
Thy hammer hews. This would I, by Thy grace.
—Henrietta Runyon Wintrey