Glory is an elusive term, isn’t it? Meant to express majesty, it can mean many different things. When I think of glory, I think of my neck tipped back while taking in a waterfall too high to fit in one gaze. Eyes squinting to capture the wild shimmering of sunlight coming off of a lake that’s between alpine mountains, and I am awe-stricken. Soft at the knees, breathing slowed. The goosebumps sliding down my arms give away what my tears confirm: I am utterly overtaken by something in the living world—the world I inhabit—whose grandeur exceeds comprehension. All I can do is bask in beauty, which almost hurts to behold. The beauty is too lavish for words.
These moments, far bigger than my small human frame, disrupted my attention and left a mark. I felt small, overwhelmed even, and yet safe as I took in what kept altering me. This same feeling is found in our reading today. All the priests were doing came to a halt as God’s otherworldly presence filled and shrouded every corner of a man-made space, a space that could not contain Him. Arms raised, King Solomon prayed to God, and His glory was made palpable in the temple at that moment. God was present in heaven and on earth, and the people present could only worship the glory they encountered.
God’s character is too splendid to process in merely human terms. When I grasp a glimpse, I am left undone. His glory is His essence, that is, His never-changing, ever-present majesty interacting with us, welcoming us to Himself. His intent to reside with us is too lofty a reality for human comprehension, His splendor is too great for words. While we go through highs and lows or shifts in the ground we stand on, God always is. Sometimes we stumble as we try to face life’s twists and turns, but His presence is ongoing and unchanging.
We are removed from Solomon’s prayer by a few millennia, but we’re only a breath away from the God whose presence filled that temple. I feel small but also safe with the God who is present and unchanging with a glory that is so overwhelming. How do we remain the same in light of such a reality? We can’t. And what a relief it is that as we are also called to be a temple where He chooses to dwell.
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47 thoughts on "God’s Presence Fills the Temple"
The majesty of this scripture is hard to put into words. I should find myself in awe of God more often than I do. My rightful reverence of Him should be a common practice. The fact that God would purposely dwell with his people and be bothered to hear their/my prayers is a miracle and I think I take it for granted. Please help me to remember Lord!
To think that we are called to be a temple for him to dwell!
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Wow, Solomon’s prayer is definitely a testament! I am so blessed grateful to receive a love that I don’t deserve but also his dwelling place. Our sacred space and secret place is my personal heaven.
I COMPLETELY AGREE!!
Glory to God!!! What an honor that we are able to dwell with Him and feel His presence with us. It’s crazy to comprehend when you think of All He IS.
”I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.“
Romans 12:1 ESV
The reminder that everyone sins. Too often as a whole we forget this. Compassion is needed for all. ❤️
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“Sometimes we stumble as we try to face life’s twists and turns, but His presence is ongoing and unchanging.” What Paola said in the devotional today is something I needed to hear as I navigate this season in my life. I am so grateful and blessed that God has brought me back to Him and is now using me as His dwelling place, filling me with His glory. I can’t agree more with Solomon’s prayer, “there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth below” (1 Kings, 8:23)! Hope you all had an amazing Friday! ❤️
Loved reading Solomon’s prayer today and the reminder that God is a promise keeper, He hears our prayers, forgives our sins and governs accordingly! What peace knowing God is in control of it all “For He is good, for His faithful love endures forever” 2 Chronicles 7:3 Happy Friday She’s ☮️❤️ to you all as we go into our weekend- I pray you feel Gods presence this weekend!
Yes Amen I loved reading it as well
Beautiful. Thank you for the reminder of God’s glory – how awesome and breathtaking He is. Indeed, we cannot stay the same once we’ve seen his glory.
I pray I never take for granted the fact that the Holy Spirit dwells within me. Through all the changes in and around me, that truth doesn’t change.
Last fall I did a study on the book of Leviticus. As I read thru these scriptures today, the one that I can’t get out of my mind is I Kings 8:5. (I know, I’m a little weird). When I was doing the study on Leviticus, we talked a lot about the sacrifices. The innocent animals being killed. I am not a hunter, I don’t like the idea of killing anything (except maybe on occasional spider or ant) but the idea of so many animals being slaughtered that they couldn’t even count them??? How much sin were they committing?, how many animals had to die because of people’s decisions? Can you hear the bleating?, the mooing? All these animals had to be pure, unblemished. It would have broken my heart to see all these innocent animals lined up, waiting their turn. The stench. The sights. The blood, the body parts, the cries of the animals. Would I have been more mindful of my own sin if I had to sacrifice something to atone for them? would it have stopped me from some of my decisions if I knew I had to kill an innocent animal in front of the whole congregation? But, to be in God’s presence we have to be pure, undefiled. So God made a way for us to be able to experience His very presence, His glory. Thru the sacrifices of innocent and pure animals, and then thru the ultimate sacrifice of an innocent and pure man, Jesus. I am so thankful today that we don’t have to have sacrifices any more.
Wow was this something to think about
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Dear sisters, a song came to mind this morning as I followed the study, “Surely the Presence of the Lord is in This Place”. We may not be in a church but we are gathered as a community of believers from all over, surely His presence is with us as we gathered to read, comment and pray for each other. It’s a beautiful song to listen to, if you have time, maybe listen and sing along.
Foster Mama – prayers for your goddaughter and for your small group.
Catherine – prayers for healing and peace as those new cells fill your body.
Amanda – I hope things are getting better for you and your family.
Rhonda – thank you for all the encouragement to each of us.
Julia – I so like your prayers each day!
Tina – Hugs to you! LOL did you send your crazy weather to New England? RAIN and yet more.
Sharing in prayer for those who comment and are quietly reading. May you all find peace and rest this weekend.
Donna Wolcott I haven’t heard that song in so long. It’s a beautiful song. Thank you for reminding me of it.
The repetition of the phrases, “hear from heaven” and “hear from heaven Your dwelling place” really stood out to me for some reason. It’s repeated over and over again in 1 Kings 8. Interestingly enough, in what has become known as “The Lord’s prayer” in Matthew 6:9-13, Jesus instructs those listening to His sermon on the mount to start off praying with – “Our Father in heaven”. I think the importance of it is to recognize who we are speaking to. First He is our Father, second – He is in heaven …in glory seated on the throne. King of Kings and Lord of Lords, not to be taken lightly. It is good to be reminded regularly that God is the one God, the only God, the Lord of all creation and He reigns on high. He is to be highly esteemed and worshiped wholeheartedly as mentioned in 1 Kings 8:23.
Father God, help me always to be mindful of who You are, what Your position is and where You reign. Help me to magnify and glorify Your name.
Have a blessed Friday sisters! My back pain has lessened somewhat but is still there, appreciate your prayers – please continue today, that it might all be gone.
Praying for your requests.
This devotion was so good for me also- especially the phrase “I feel small but also safe” in trying to comprehend God’s presence. I have been struggling this past month, in grief, in flat out missing my kids and grandkids… Makes it difficult to think clearly and move forward with work.
I do feel small, in my little world, when there are such overwhelming things happening in the world at large. But the comfort and safety is knowing that our Sovereign Lord is handling it all, the small and the large. Boy, do I need Him ‘every hour’.
Have a wonderfully blessed weekend, dear She’s!
What a great reminder. We are SAFE with God. It isn’t always easy to remember that when our troubles weigh us down yet the lord knows what he’s doing. Happy Friday ladies.
Full heart after reading Solomon’s prayer and the beautiful devotional. Thankful for all reading this together.
As I was reading the verses, I was reminded of the verse that states that we are God’s temple. I was humbled to think that our glorious, magnificent God would choose our earthly vessels to live in now.
Praise God for His goodness and His mercy!
I find so much comfort in knowing that God remains the same today as in the past. That we can trust in Him. Feel safe in Him. Amen!
@ SEARCHING. Yes! A similar thought occurred to me. Solomon knew the people of Israel well. He knew their historical cycle of sin and crying out.It’s my historical cycle too though I hate to admit it. Solomon’s prayer that hit home was his inclusion of foreigners who were searching. So beautiful!
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(my phone is misbehaving so multiple separate comments this morning)
I had never noticed before today that Solomon literally prayed for the exile that would happen,…that when God’s people are disobedient and He uses captors / enemies to discipline them…”please forgive them when they turn towards this direction from WHEREVER and/or come back to this temple to repent…please hear them!!” (MY words, of course)… Amazing!
@ AMANDA NOBLE — Are you here?! Praying for you and hope you see all the comments for you and feel the prayers.
All I know is that (despite having a big network of beautiful people in my everyday life that I can touch and call on for prayer) this community is such a life giving source in my life. Thank you to all those that I sometimes to remember to acknowledge (@ MERCY @ SEARCHING @KELLY NEO @ TINA @ HOLLY @ JULIA C @ RHONDA J) and a special thank you to those who have left such important insights and words of encouragement when I don’t have time to comment and then my thanks to you is just between me and God…I ❤️ U! We miss you @CHURCHMOUSE!
Goddaughter is coming over tonight for the weekend after so much turmoil at home. Please continue to pray. The last time she was here, it was clear that (most likely as a protective mechanism) she has become emotionally NUMB when it comes to any type of reflection or slightly deeper than the surface conversation. Pray God uses our time for His glory.
It’s our turn to host Small Groups tonight — I chose it because I knew 4 of the 10 would be missing/virtual and my house is by far the smallest;) Now it looks like the group has dwindled even further…and now only a couple with their shy daughter coming over (but I suspect will also cancel due to long commute)…
please pray God’s will for what goddaughter is meant to experience this weekend.
Thanks for letting me talk your ears off!!
What a peaceful read to end this week of study! As ADA MCLOUD said, “Calm.”
SEARCHING – ❤
Adding my ‘amen’ to the prayers spoken here and presenting my own.
THANK YOU Ladies for praying for my Mum!! Her OT appointment went SUPER WELL!!! They said she is released from care at the office and to tap in with them in 3weeks if she feels she hasn’t gotten her full strength back..but they didn’t think she would need to as she is doing SO WELL!!! All glory to God!!! He has answered every prayer prayed SO quickly and faithfully!!! And thank you for the advice and prayers about her blood pressure!!! Everything seems to be leveling out!!! PRAISE You Father God!!!
I am keeping ALL your individual requests before the Lord and am PRAYING!!! Have an amazing and blessed day/weekend and May we see God everywhere we look!! Xoxo
Yesterday and today’s highlights & notes:
Revelation 11:16-17 The twenty-four elders, who were seated before God on their thrones, fell facedown and worshiped God, 17 saying, We give You thanks, Lord God, the Almighty, who is and who was, because You have taken Your great power and have begun to reign.
*such an AWESOME picture and promise!!! I cannot WAIT for the day that God REIGNS above all, and gets acknowledged by ALL!!!
Revelation 11:19 Then the temple of God in heaven was opened, and the ark of His covenant appeared in His temple. There were flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder, an earthquake, and severe hail.
*the POWER of God!!! It makes Him undeniable!!! May we live in Holy fear and humble reverence of Him always!!! Amen.
1 Kings 8:27 But will God indeed live on earth?
Even heaven, the highest heaven, cannot contain you,
much less this temple I have built.
*love this question and this reminder!! NOTHING can contain God!!! He is EVERYWHERE and in ALL things!!! Nothing happens without Him or His permission!! SO Good!!!
1 Kings 8:39-40 may You hear in heaven, Your dwelling place,
and may You forgive, act, and give to everyone
according to all their ways, since You know each heart,
for You alone know every human heart,
40 so that they may fear You
all the days they live on the land
You gave our ancestors.
*Amen Lord!! Thank You Father!!
Exodus 40:36-38 The Israelites set out whenever the cloud was taken up from the tabernacle throughout all the stages of their journey. 37 If the cloud was not taken up, they did not set out until the day it was taken up. 38 For the cloud of the Lord was over the tabernacle by day, and there was a fire inside the cloud by night, visible to the entire house of Israel throughout all the stages of their journey.
*I LOVE this!!! It is a very clear example of moving ONLY when God tells you to!! Not before, not after.. but WHEN He tells us to!! That His Spirit and blessing are VISIBLE to ALL of us through EVERY season/journey!!! And that He rests with and on us when we are in His will!! Very powerful!!!
Exodus 25:1-2 The Lord spoke to Moses: 2 “Tell the Israelites to take an offering for Me. You are to take My offering from everyone who is willing to give.
*WILLING to give.. is what stands out to me!! And the more I think and dwell on this the more it highlights who God is!!! He wants us to do things out of our own free will and to do things WILLINGLY!!! Not by force or expectation, but WILLINGLY!!! He doesn’t want it if it’s not freely given!!! May my heart always be willing, obedient and truthful!! Amen.
From the bits I’ve seen from yesterday :
Oh KELLY(NEO) — AMEN!! Thank You Holy Spirit for Your presence – closer than my next breath! May Your light chase the shadows/darkness from my life so Your glory shines through
AMEN!!! JULIA C
RHONDA J, thank you for sharing — you are beautiful!! I hope your special weekend is the best and fills your vessel to overflowing!
This Glory, God’s glory that we see in His nature, in His presence, is so mighty, so amazing…even in this reading I am struck by how beautiful and lovely and altogether wonderful our God is!
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
I Corinthians 10:31
This is today’s Uversion verse of the day, and it reminds me that God’s glory is all around us and we are meant to glorify Him in EVERYTHING we do. Amen.
How do we remain the same?? Amen and amen!!
God’s presence is unchanging and God always is! God dwells in me! What beautiful promises! ♥️
So moved by Solomon’s prayer as he points out many of the ways the children of Israel (and foreigners) will fail to walk in obedience, and then points out his faith that God will listen, forgive and grant compassion. “For He is good, For His mercy endures forever.” Amen and amen.
Thank you, Paola Barrera, for a great devo. “His intent to reside with us is too lofty a reality for human comprehension”
TAYLOR GRAVES – continuing to pray for God’s comfort and strength
SHARON JERSEY GIRL – yes, because He loves us. Praying for relief of back and hip pain – and I totally understand those days it comes out of nowhere! Praying for Arian and full time employment.
RHONDA J – thank you for reaching out to AMANDA.
TRACI GENDRON – praying for Debbie and Larry. Tears were flowing as I remembered a similar conversation with one of my dearest friends several years ago.
MIA FAITH ❤️
TAMI C – your comment about not waiting on or consulting with God, ouch.
CEE GEE – amen! ❤️
KATIE MEGEE – great comment. Praying as you go through the treatments
JULIA C ❤️
KELLY (NEO) ❤️ thank you.
TINA ❤️
Father let Your glory shine and overcome all darkness in our lives. In Jesus name, Amen
Thank you, ladies for your faithful prayers as we read the presence of God together as a community. Thank you Paola for your amazing insight to God‘s glory and how we see it every day. Have a blessed weekend all!!♥️
Thankful for His never ending, never changing presence ❤️
Longing for the day when I experience God’s tangible presence forever. (sigh)
SEARCHING – I’ll get back to you. I took a class that included the study of the tabernacle (20 yrs ago)…don’t remember the name of the textbook.
Joining Julie C in praying for your requests. Have a blessed day
Calm. Calm is how I feel after reading this. God dwells is me, His presence is always with me. What a great blessing. Amen!
SHARON, JERSEY GIRL – Praying for healing from your lower back/hip pain. I hope you feel better today!
TRACI GENDRON – Praying for your dear friend Debbie and her husband Larry.
MIA FAITH – Grateful to see your name in the comments. Continued prayers for you and yours.
RHONDA J – Praying you have a good time at the Freedom Conference.
AMANDA NOBLE – Continued prayers for you, dear sister.
JULIE GANUCHEAU – How is your dad Bill doing? Did his operation go as planned?
ASHLEIGH PRUETT – How are you doing? How was your doctor’s appointment?
JESSICA H – How is your niece Isabelle doing? Any updates?
KARRIE – How are you doing? How is the healing of your foot going?
Have a blessed Friday girls ❤️
“God’s character is too splendid to process in merely human terms. When I grasp a glimpse, I am left undone.” Amen and Amen, PAOLA BARRERA!
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Dear Father,
Thank You for Your ongoing and unchanging presence.
Today I have no other words than praise:
“Lord God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth below, who keeps the gracious covenant with your servants who walk before you with all their heart.” (1 Kings 8:23)
“For he is good, for his faithful love endures forever.” (2 Chronicles 7:3)
May we be living temples filled with Your glory that takes up all space in our hearts.
AMEN.
This was so beautiful PAOLA BARRERA.. Thank you..
This, however..
We are removed from Solomon’s prayer by a few millennia, but we’re only a breath away from the God whose presence filled that temple. I feel small but also safe with the God who is present and unchanging with a glory that is so overwhelming. How do we remain the same in light of such a reality? We can’t. And what a relief it is that as we are also called to be a temple where He chooses to dwell.
Filled my heart with joy..
BUT GOD..
Is the same yesterday, yesteryear, and the years before those, all the way back to Solomon, King David, Moses, Abraham, Issac, Josesph… Adam!
Is the same today.. In all our stories, never changes, not one bit..And will absolutely be the same in our stories to come, through our generations to come!
Thank you, Lord God, Thank you. My cup overflows.
AMEN..
Happy Friday, dear hearts, covered in love, hugs, and prayers for God’s presence to be felt, seen and known in all you do today.❤