2 Chronicles 5:1-14: a reflection

1Thus all the work that Solomon did for the LORD’s house was finished. Solomon brought in the things that David his father had dedicated, even the silver, the gold, and all the vessels, and put them in the treasuries of God’s house. 2Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel and all the heads of the tribes, the princes of the fathers’ households of the children of Israel, to Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the LORD’s covenant out of David’s city, which is Zion. 3So all the men of Israel assembled themselves to the king at the feast, which was in the seventh month. 4All the elders of Israel came. The Levites took up the ark. 5They brought up the ark, the Tent of Meeting, and all the holy vessels that were in the Tent. The Levitical priests brought these up. 6King Solomon and all the congregation of Israel who were assembled to him were before the ark, sacrificing sheep and cattle that could not be counted or numbered for multitude. 7The priests brought in the ark of the LORD’s covenant to its place, into the inner sanctuary of the house, to the most holy place, even under the wings of the cherubim. 8For the cherubim spread out their wings over the place of the ark, and the cherubim covered the ark and its poles above. 9The poles were so long that the ends of the poles were seen from the ark in front of the inner sanctuary, but they were not seen outside; and it is there to this day. 10There was nothing in the ark except the two tablets which Moses put there at Horeb, when the LORD made a covenant with the children of Israel, when they came out of Egypt. 11When the priests had come out of the holy place (for all the priests who were present had sanctified themselves, and didn’t keep their divisions; 12also the Levites who were the singers, all of them, even Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun, and their sons and their brothers, arrayed in fine linen, with cymbals and stringed instruments and harps, stood at the east end of the altar, and with them one hundred twenty priests sounding with trumpets); 13when the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and praised the LORD, saying, “For he is good, for his loving kindness endures forever!” then the house was filled with a cloud, even the LORD’s house, 14so that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud; for the LORD’s glory filled God’s house.

At the dedication of the temple, the ark is brought in, and the priests and Levites lead the people in worship. The singers and trumpeters join as one, to make one sound in praising and thanking the LORD, singing, For he is good; his steadfast love endures forever. And as they praised him with one voice, the glory of the LORD filled the house, so thickly that the priests could not stand to minister. When God's people worshiped him with one united voice, his glory filled the place.

Notice what accompanied the united praise of God's people: the filling of the house with God's glory. When the singers and musicians joined as one, with one voice praising God for his goodness and steadfast love, God manifested his presence, filling the house with his glory. The united, wholehearted praise of his people was met by the manifest presence of God, so overwhelming that the priests could not stand. God drew near in glory to the praise of his united people.

That connection, between the united praise of God's people and his manifest presence, is worth pondering. There is something God honors in the united, wholehearted praise of his people, offered with one voice; he draws near to it, manifesting his presence among those who praise him together. When you gather with God's people to worship, do not treat it as a mere routine; join wholeheartedly in the united praise of God, for he draws near to the praise of his people. The glory filled the house when the people praised God with one voice; God delights to manifest his presence among his people as they worship him together. Give yourself to the united praise of God with his people, wholeheartedly and with one voice, and seek his presence there, for God draws near in glory to the praise of his united people, as he filled the house at the temple's dedication.

Lord, at the temple's dedication, the singers and trumpeters joined as one to praise you, singing, for he is good, his steadfast love endures forever; and as they praised you with one voice, your glory filled the house so that the priests could not stand. Let me ponder that connection, between the united praise of your people and your manifest presence. There is something you honor in the united, wholehearted praise of your people, offered with one voice; you draw near to it, manifesting your presence among those who praise you together. When I gather with your people to worship, keep me from treating it as a mere routine; help me join wholeheartedly in the united praise of you, for you draw near to the praise of your people. The glory filled the house when the people praised you with one voice; you delight to manifest your presence among your people as they worship you together. Help me give myself to the united praise of you with your people, wholeheartedly and with one voice, and seek your presence there, for you draw near in glory to the praise of your united people. Fill our worship with your presence, Lord, as we praise you together.