GOD’S PRESENCE
GOD’S PRESENCE
When Solomon finished praying, fire flashed down from heaven and burned up the burnt offerings and sacrifices, and the glorious presence of the Lord filled the Temple. The priests could not enter the Temple of the Lord because the glorious presence of the Lord filled it. When all the people of Israel saw the fire coming down and the glorious presence of the Lord filling the Temple, they fell face down on the ground and worshiped and praised the Lord, saying, “He is good! His faithful love endures forever!”
Then one night the Lord appeared to Solomon and said, “I have heard your prayer and have chosen this Temple as the place for making sacrifices. —II Chronicles 7:1-3, 12
Wow! When the glorious presence of the Lord filled the temple the priests could not even enter it! The people “fell face down on the ground and worshiped and praised the Lord, saying, “He is good! His faithful love endures forever!” Not only that, but the Lord chose “this Temple as the place for making sacrifices.” How awesome are those statements?
Now consider this… as followers of our Lord Jesus Christ we are able to “be filled with the Holy Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18). And if we are walking by the Spirit then we will not be gratifying the desires of the flesh (Galatians 5:16). Think about it… the very presence of God resides in us. That same presence that filled the temple is now residing in all those who are following Jesus—- “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies” (I Corinthians 6:19-20). How awesome is that?
Brother and sister, we are not like the sacrifices made in temple of old, no, we are temples of a living sacrifice and are to be presenting ourselves to God continually (Romans 12:1-2). We can only be living sacrifices because of the eternal propitiation of Jesus of whom we have received (I John 2:2). AWESOME! Let us rejoice!
Dear Father, I am amazed, astounded at what You have done and are doing for me through the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Your Son. Oh, may I truly live a faithful life out of loving gratitude. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjJ3pdW7_A8