But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. 1 Timothy 3:15 KJV
In the ancient world, pillars were used in two ways: to support the roof structure of a building, and as memorial markers, with inscriptions and carvings in relief. The later would proclaim a great event, or set forth the laws and history of the land. Recently, while in Cheyenne, my wife and I visited the Wyoming State Museum, in the museum they have a beautiful marble pillar, which has the history of Wyoming carved in relief. You start at the bottom of the pillar, and as you follow it up, it depicts the history of the state. Paul used the image of a pillar for the Church in both ways: it is our responsibility to hold up or support the truth of God, and also to proclaim it as found in the Scriptures.
Lord, as Your Church we have not always been very good pillars. Sometimes instead of holding up Your truth we have dropped it. As part of Your Church help me hold Your truth high for all to see and understand.
