August 17, 2015: 1 Kings 8: (1, 6, 10-11), 22-30, 41-43

1 Kings 8: (1, 6, 10-11), 22-30, 41-43

Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel and all the heads of the tribes, the leaders of the ancestral houses of the Israelites, before King Solomon in Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the covenant of the Lord out of the city of David, which is Zion.

Then the priests brought the ark of the covenant of the Lord to its place, in the inner sanctuary of the house, in the most holy place, underneath the wings of the cherubim.

And when the priests came out of the holy place, a cloud filled the house of the Lord, so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud; for the glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord.

 Then Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in the presence of all the assembly of Israel, and spread out his hands to heaven. He said, “O Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth beneath, keeping covenant and steadfast love for your servants who walk before you with all their heart, the covenant that you kept for your servant my father David as you declared to him; you promised with your mouth and have this day fulfilled with your hand. Therefore, O Lord, God of Israel, keep for your servant my father David that which you promised him, saying, ‘There shall never fail you a successor before me to sit on the throne of Israel, if only your children look to their way, to walk before me as you have walked before me.’ Therefore, O God of Israel, let your word be confirmed, which you promised to your servant my father David.

“But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Even heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you, much less this house that I have built! Regard your servant’s prayer and his plea, O Lord my God, heeding the cry and the prayer that your servant prays to you today; that your eyes may be open night and day toward this house, the place of which you said, ‘My name shall be there,’ that you may heed the prayer that your servant prays toward this place. Hear the plea of your servant and of your people Israel when they pray toward this place; O hear in heaven your dwelling place; heed and forgive.

Reflection
“Come, O Lord, and fill up my life. I long for your presence. This is my heart’s desire.” – Presence, Newsboys

What would happen if we truly sought the presence of God in the world every day? What would happen if the children of God really recognized that God is present with us every moment of every day? How would we act? How would we live? How would we love?

In this scripture Solomon is bringing the Ark of the Covenant into the house of the Lord. He is in awe of the idea that an everlasting God dwelling on earth with humanity. He is drawn to worship. The presence of God filled the room like a cloud and the glory of God was hanging in the air.

Just like in that time of Solomon, God is with us in this world through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. From the moment we wake up we are sustained by God. Every breath that we wake is the breath of God. The holy presence of God gives us life.

Questions/Activities
Morning: Listen to Presence by the Newsboys and use it as your prayer this morning. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lw4WvZIBpFw

Afternoon: Pray: Holy God, as the noonday sun brings light to the earth, may I recognize the light and presence of your Son, Jesus Christ, filling my being. Give me strength to continue with my days work as a holy and living sacrifice to you. Give me eyes to see all those who I come in contact as your children. Help me love and take risks as if my entire life rests on your sustaining presence. Fill me so I can pour myself out for others.

Silence

In Jesus’ name – Amen.

Evening: Think about today. How did you experience God’s presence in your life today? Through friends, co-workers, nature, prayer, challenges?