2 Chronicles 5:12-14 (NIV) - “And the Levites who were musicians-Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun, and all their sons and brothers-were dressed in fine linen robes and stood at the east side of the altar playing cymbals, lyres, and harps. They were joined by 120 priests who were playing trumpets. The trumpeters and singers performed together in unison to praise and give thanks to the Lord. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals, and other instruments, they raised their voices and praised the Lord with these words: “He is good! His faithful love endures forever!” At that moment a thick cloud filled the Temple of the Lord. The priests could not continue their service because of the cloud, for the glorious presence of the Lord filled the Temple of God.”
This is why we gather, this is why we worship in corporate settings, because the glorious presence of the Lord fills - fills His church, fills His people, fills each one of us when we do. We are making a statement about presence when we come together to worship - my presence among your presence because He is present.
We go out of our way to get tickets to a concert or sporting event, and not for the nosebleed seats, we want front row/orchestra/”fall on me Lebron because I’m literally sitting on the court” seats because we want more than listening or watching from afar, we want to experience presence both of the other fans but in particular, of the one we’ve come to see. Can you imagine from today’s passage, the one person who thought “What’s the fuss, I don’t want to get washed and get dressed, I’ll just play a tune on my recorder and sing a festive song in tribute of the temple.” What?!? It’s not just one meeting, another meeting … we present ourselves because God’s glorious presence is with His people.
May our hearts long for and be expectant of God’s glorious presence whenever we gather to worship. In the song “Dry Bones” one line repeats, “we’re nothing without you, nothing without you”, let’s be reminded and refreshed again it’s all about His presence.
https://safeshare.tv/x/576uiHcwIRw
-AK
