The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in 2 Chronicles 5:13-14,
"Then the temple of the Lord was filled with the cloud, and the priests could not perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the temple of God."
Following the building of the first temple in Jerusalem, it was furnished with the articles Solomon had made for it. Then the ark of the covenant was brought into it as sacrifices beyond number were being offered. When it was, we are told the temple was filled with the glory of God, represented in a great cloud that could be seen. The Lord's glory was so intense, it prevented the priests from carrying out their duties.
I am reminded a different temple exists today with the Spirit of the Lord dwelling within. That temple is a "spiritual house" where spiritual sacrifices are offered by a royal priesthood, "As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him— you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." 1 Peter 2:4-5.
Believers today are that royal priesthood, with the Holy Spirit dwelling within our hearts, a "spiritual house." The glory of God manifests itself in the reverence, praise and adoration with which we embrace our transcendent Lord. The glory of the Lord also manifests itself in the wonderful changes the Lord brings to those he dwells within. Everything the Lord touches brings a breath-taking beauty: "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires." Galatians 5:22-24.
"Then the temple of the Lord was filled with the cloud, and the priests could not perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the temple of God."
Following the building of the first temple in Jerusalem, it was furnished with the articles Solomon had made for it. Then the ark of the covenant was brought into it as sacrifices beyond number were being offered. When it was, we are told the temple was filled with the glory of God, represented in a great cloud that could be seen. The Lord's glory was so intense, it prevented the priests from carrying out their duties.
I am reminded a different temple exists today with the Spirit of the Lord dwelling within. That temple is a "spiritual house" where spiritual sacrifices are offered by a royal priesthood, "As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him— you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." 1 Peter 2:4-5.
Believers today are that royal priesthood, with the Holy Spirit dwelling within our hearts, a "spiritual house." The glory of God manifests itself in the reverence, praise and adoration with which we embrace our transcendent Lord. The glory of the Lord also manifests itself in the wonderful changes the Lord brings to those he dwells within. Everything the Lord touches brings a breath-taking beauty: "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires." Galatians 5:22-24.
No matter what criticisms can be leveled at God's people, I am reminded we are a people, a temple, a "spiritual house", because the Lord has made us so. As such there is an intrinsic beauty, a glory that manifests itself through the lives of his people as he dwells within our hearts.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
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