2 chronicles 7:1-5 - When Solomon finished praying, fire flashed
down from heaven and burned up the burnt offerings and sacrifices, and the
glorious presence of the LORD filled the Temple. The priests could not even
enter the Temple of the LORD because the glorious presence of the LORD filled
it. When all the people of Israel saw
the fire coming down and the glorious presence of the LORD filling the Temple,
they fell face down on the ground and worshiped and praised the LORD, saying,
"He is so good! His faithful love endures forever!" Then the king and all the people offered
sacrifices to the LORD
God must have been pleased with the offerings…with the
prayer…with the way Solomon let the task he had been given to do consume his
whole being. For when Solomon had
finished his prayer…God’s glory began to manifest itself in the presence of the
new Temple. The cloud of God’s Spirit
consumed the temple so fully …that the priests could not enter its
doorways. Then fire supernaturally
consumed all the sacrifices that had been already laid out before God.
The people were so overwhelmed by God’s presence around them
that they fell to the ground in awestruck wonder and amazement….and in a
reverend fear…they worshiped …and praised him…and uttered over and over how
good God was to love them so much. The priests
sang and played instruments …while the people took part in a 7 day marathon of praise….even
adding new worshipers every day as they traveled from far away to offer their
own sacrifices at the new temple. So many offerings were brought that Solomon
had to dedicate a portion of the inner courtyard as altars…in order to
sacrifice them all.
When the people found their legs again….it must have been
one awe-inspiring revival to take part in. God’s tangible spirit lingering in
the Temple for days …while all the people of Israel had a chance to tell him
how much they loved him….while all the people offered their best sacrifice to
atone for any sin. The nation was totally focused on God…and worshiped him in
complete surrender and praise.
I am reminded once again that since Jesus died on the cross
for my sins…and was raised to glory to sit beside his father…my body IS the temple
that he lives in now. I need to
rededicate my temple to God…and experience the glory of his presence as he
fills me daily with his presence….so I will have the power and strength to complete
the task he has given me to do. I need to allow his supernatural fire to
consume my heart and light a passion to praise him 24/7…so completely focused
on the mission he planned for me from my birth….that I fall often to my knees
in awe of his great love for me.
Father…thank you…thank you…thank you…for sending your son to
pay all penalties for the sins I deserve to die for. Help me to soak in the deep love you imparted
to Jesus to be able to walk in obedience and humility …and give his life
willingly to be the last blood sacrifice needed to atone for any sin committed.
Help me today to wrap my brain around the complete love he had for me. Help me to feel so thankful for what he did
to save me that I rededicate my heart and life to his service…and become so completely
consumed and driven by the love he gave me that it overflows …and spills into
the lives of others around me. Amen.
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