"1 Kings 7:23-8:21
Glory of God’s empowering presence
Why in the world would we not want to spend time with God? We spend hours on social media, watching TV or on the telephone. As Joyce Meyer writes, ‘We seem to have no problem investing our time in those pursuits. The truth is this: The devil fights us more in the area of our spending time with God than he does in any other area of our Christian lives. In fact, Satan would much prefer that we get involved in all kinds of religious activity rather than spend time with the Lord.’
This passage helps us to understand how amazing it is to spend time in the presence of God – the extraordinary privilege that is available to every follower of Jesus.
This Old Testament passage – about the building of the physical temple in Jerusalem (a place for God to dwell forever, 8:13) – takes on a whole new meaning when we read it in the light of the New Testament. We see that the temple in Jerusalem prefigured God’s dwelling place in believers’ hearts in the New Testament.
In particular, the ark of the covenant represented the presence of the Lord. The climax of this temple, both in it being prepared for use (8:3–9) and in Solomon’s praise (vv.15–21), was the placing of the ark of the covenant in the temple. The ark had nothing in it ‘except the two stone tablets that Moses had placed in it’ (v.9) – in other words the Ten Commandments. When the people of God live under the Word of God we discover the Spirit of God increasing our experience of the presence of God.
We read, ‘When the priests withdrew from the Holy Place, the cloud filled the temple of the Lord. And the priests could not perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled his temple.
When we pray, ‘Come, Holy Spirit,’ we are praying for a greatly increased sense of the presence of God to come among us. This is what we so often experience when we pray that prayer.
Although God is present everywhere, we do not always sense his presence. Surely, what is being described here is a greatly increased sense of the presence of God. This is what Solomon was describing when he said, ‘I’ve built this splendid Temple, O God, to mark your invisible presence forever’ (v.13, MSG).
There can be particular moments when we experience God’s presence when we are with others, but you can also experience God’s presence as you spend time with him by yourself.
You don’t need to be legalistic about it, but a regular time with God helps. As you read the Bible, as you talk to your Father in prayer, as sometimes you listen to Christian music or just sit in silence, you begin to experience God’s presence. Indeed, sometimes the prayer ‘Come Holy Spirit’ can be answered with total peace, calm and stillness.
Lord, how can we praise you enough for the way that you have fulfilled your promise in us? Praise you Lord that as your glory filled the temple of Solomon, so now your glory fills your people. Thank you that all your promises are fulfilled in us (2 Corinthians 1:20).
Come, Holy Spirit. Fulfil your promise among us again today. Thank you that every time we pray, ‘Come, Holy Spirit,’ the Holy Spirit comes and we experience an increased sense of the presence of God among us. Help us to prioritise our time and enjoy your awesome presence with us."
1. Thank You for Your awesome presence, may I learn to bask in it everytime.
2. Thank You for the German Class reunion and a great buffet with it.
3. Thank You for Your grace that I may also show it to others.
