Scripture:
1 Kings 8:5-6 ESV
[5] And King Solomon and all the congregation of Israel, who had assembled before him, were with him before the ark, sacrificing so many sheep and oxen that they could not be counted or numbered. [6] Then the priests brought the ark of the covenant of the Lord to its place in the inner sanctuary of the house, in the Most Holy Place, underneath the wings of the cherubim.
[10] And when the priests came out of the Holy Place, a cloud filled the house of the Lord, [11] so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord. Lord
Observation:
It took years for the temple to be built. I’m sure the anticipation was a lot. King Solomon had been watching and planning. Sitting in his home waiting. Then the day came… the largest sacrifice ever performed took place. So many they could not be counted. The whole congregation was present. Everyone was watching as the ark was being brought to its resting place. All the way to the innermost place in the temple. Where the Cherubim could overshadow it with their wings, then, as the priests were leaving the sanctuary, it happened the LORD showed up. A cloud of smoke filled the innermost place, so thick it was hard to see, I’m sure.
Application:
As we make sacrifices in life. Doing our best to live for GOD. Giving HIM the center of who we are. Committing our lives to HIM. HE shows up, and when HE does… things change. The condition of our lives is filled with HIM. The Bible says your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit. Much like this temple that was built, we need to give GOD the very center of who we are. I have to say that when we do. When GOD has all of us withholding nothing, HE shows up. when every struggle you have is HIS, HE will pour out HIS glory. The condition of your life will change, and when you look back, you won’t even be able to see how you got to where you are. Are you struggling…? Give GOD the very center of your life and see what HE does with it.
Prayer:
Father, we want what you want. We give you all of it… our innermost parts are all yours. We have just made a mess of it. So we have prepared a place for you and we invite you in. We are asking for your glory to show up and do what only you can. Fill us. We ask you to dethrone anything that is in your rightful spot, and we set you right in the center of our lives where you belong. We want to live in a manner that allows everyone to see your glory. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus I pray amen.