A thread that weaves its way through scripture is that of “Sacred Places,” a place where a person meets God.  Adam and Eve were given the Garden, the patriarchs were given Bethel and Israel was given the tabernacle.  The peculiar thing about sacred places is that God doesn’t need them, they are for us.  And yet, on occasion, when a person violated a sacred place God would punish them – Adam and Eve were removed from the Garden, Nadab and Abihu were consumed by fire, Uzzah was struck dead, Jesus drove the money changers out of the temple and many others.  Even still, men and women continued to seek for the sacred.  David said, “One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple.”  But why desire a sacred place when it could cost you your life?  Answer, the sacred place is a place of covenant, a place of holy relationship.  “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God” Matthew 5:8.