1 Kings 8 & 2 Chronicles 5: The Cloud of His Presence

1 Kings 8:10 & 11
Amplified Bible (AMP)

10 When the priests had come out of the Holy Place, the cloud filled the Lord’s house,

11 So the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord had filled the Lord’s house.


2 Chronicles 5:13 & 14
Amplified Bible (AMP)

13 And when the trumpeters and singers were joined in unison, making one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the Lord, and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and other instruments for song and praised the Lord, saying, For He is good, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever, then the house of the Lord was filled with a cloud,

14 So that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the house of God.


Finally, the temple that King David had dreamed of had just been completed and now the first worship service is in progress. The above verses are among my favorite in God's Word.


Imagine...

This Sunday you're planning to attend the inaugural service of a new church building. Everyone is excited because this structure had been foreseen for many years. The hearts of the people are joined to the worship team musicians and the pastors who will lead this awesome first service. There is unity! All are unified for one holy purpose...

The music begins its heavenly ascent. Voices ring out like bells calling forth the Presence of God. Words declaring the awesome attributes of God emanate from the pulpit. The people cheer! The applause is deafening!!!


Suddenly...


The house begins to fill with a thick mist. What is happening? The worshipers begin to experience a little healthy fear. God has arrived in the tangible form of a cloud!!! The weight of God's glory settles upon the pastors causing them to sink to their knees. They can't stand to preach the sermon. The worship team is laying out on the floor. The people are amazingly blessed. God Almighty is really with them! They can see Him with their eyes and feel Him with their bodies!


How would you react?


Many years ago, I experienced the misty Presence of God in my bedroom one night. I was in a season of intense warfare and to be honest was an emotional wreck most of the time. I woke up to go to the bathroom and felt God's peaceful Presence around me, but didn't "see" anything at first. When coming back to my bed, I noticed a misty fog filling the room. I could feel Him ministering to my soul, but didn't catch the reality of what was happening (I was half asleep) until a few days later when I received a note of encouragement from a prophetic friend of mine who declared that God would reveal Himself in a mist. WOW!!!

Do you see, my friends, why I am so passionate about the Lord?  This experience is just one of the very many reasons I love Him!

He never leaves us! He never forsakes us! He holds us in the palm of His hand! No one and nothing can snatch us from Him! No trial! No heartache! No sickness of body or of soul! No persecution! No sin unforgivable! We can be who He created. WITH HIM, ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE!

Receive Him in all of His glory. Who knows, He may choose to reveal Himself to you in the form of a cloud too!