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.
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!
♥️
(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!!