The priests couldn’t even carry out their duties because of the cloud—the glory of God!—that filled The Temple of God. -Message

When God Shows Up

Don’t you just love discovering stories like this in the Bible?  I’m sure I’ve read this passage numerous times and went right past it like running past a spectacular view without even noticing.  But today, I noticed.

Get the picture: the choir and orchestra with 120 trumpet blowing priests praising God: “God is good! His loyal love goes on forever!”  God’s presence, glory so powerful, tangible as a cloud fills His house and the service stops as the priests “could not stand to minister.”  When God shows up church ritual, routine takes a back seat.  Those leading worship are simply overwhelmed and everything stops as the power of God takes over.  Wow! And I don’t use that word very often, but Wow!

You think the Olympic opening and closing ceremonies were awesome.  That’s nothing compared to the glory of God.  God is present everywhere.  God is especially present when two or three gather in His name.  But there are times when God’s people are praising and worshipping Him that His glory comes.  We don’t know when or where but we look for it.  We long for it.  And we prepare for it.  And we “will never be the same” when we experience it.

The environment  again—God’s people singing God’s praises.  Let’s praise God with all that is within in us—heart, mind, strength.

Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. –Psalms 103 (NIV)

Filed under: Dedication, Faith, God's glory, Religion, The Journey, worship |