Let God's Presence Descend

The Old Testament contains some great moments where God turns up and just takes over. The Presence of God descending on the newly built temple in 2 Chronicles chapters 5 and 7 is an example of this. Reading these passages gives the sense that the 'normal proceedings' were simply interrupted ... people could only be in awe of God.

What I find more interesting is the timing of this relative to the sacrifices. In chapter 5 the pieces are put in position in the temple with much fanfare and singing (and why not?). Then the presence descended and the priests could do no more!

In chapter 7 there is the sacrifice of 22,000 cattle and 120,000 sheep and goats. Now that is a lot of sacrifice - I think it is the largest single sacrifice moment in the Old Testament - but note that this comes after the glory of the Lord filling the temple. Yes there are some sacrifices presented already (for fire comes down and consumes them), but the mass numbers bit seems to come as a follow on from the presence of God taking over.

In other words God's presence is not necessarily something we work up to, or bring about by piling on the sacrifice or sung worship. No ... it is a place and time of God's choosing that He inhabits. When God does so normal service is suspended - something to be welcomed, anticipated, hoped for.

Let's not think that we can bring it about, as if we had some special formula or energy. But let us do all we can to have a welcoming and prepared heart, so that at least in our own lives there is plenty of room to simply let God's Presence descend.