In terms of the house of God, the house was built for a purpose.  Going back to when the first house of worship was to be built, the creation of it came by way of a man who was a man after God’s own heart.  All his life he lived with God in it.  This man was David.

David had a desire to build a house of worship because of his love for God.  However, God did not want David to build it, but rather He wanted to use David’s son Solomon to build the house.  In 2 Chronicles 2:4-5 the text says the house was built so that God’s name might be known or exalted. The purpose of the house is to show God’s greatness and recognize that we have the responsibility of letting others know about His name.  As with the building so is the body a symbol of greatness where our purpose shines through.

As with each purpose, it must be carried out in a set place.  Your purpose should be centered in a place, and if you get to that place, you can fulfill that purpose. Many times we are not walking in our purpose because we are not yet in the right place.

While we have a purpose and a place, we cannot achieve God’s purpose without His presence.  All 3 (purpose, place & presence) must be in place.

WHAT DID THE PEOPLE DO TO GET IN THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD?

 

Preparation

2 Chronicles 5:1 – “So all the work that Solomon had done for the house of the Lord was finished; and Solomon brought in the things which his father David had dedicated: the silver and the gold and all the furnishings.  And he put them in the treasuries of the house of God.”

In other words, we need to finish all things necessary to prepare for the presence of the Lord.  The preparation of the heart comes from man – but the presence of the Lord comes from the tongue.  The process of preparation requires us to finish our tasks.  If we have unfinished tasks we are not prepared for the presence of the Lord.  Just as in a prayer that we seek.  At times we may not be prepared for what we are asking for, so preparation is key.

Consecration

2 Chronicles 5:11 – “And it came to pass when the priests came out of the Most Holy Place (for all the priests who were present had sanctified themselves, without keeping to their divisions),…”

They began to separate themselves to God.  As if they were removing every “no” to God and aligning all in their life with God.  The people began to have an intentional fellowship and a deep calling to God, in order to come boldly to the throne of Grace.

Unification

2 Chronicles 5:13 – “Indeed it came to pass when 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 mercy endures forever,’ that the house, the house of the Lord, was filled with a cloud,”

So, as the body of people rally around what God wants, being on one accord, with praising and thankfulness as one, that solitary sound of praise unifies to bring about a cloud, or the presence of the Lord.  As we boast about His goodness on one accord, we bring about the cloud of His presence. He inhabits the praise of His people.

Lastly, comes the manifestation.

Manifestation

This is where you experience Him and all His glory.