July 2, 2022
Today’s reading: 1 Kings 8:10-11
The cloud of glory
We read in 1 Kings 8:10-11:
10 And it came to pass, when the priests came out of the holy place, that the cloud filled the house of the LORD, 11 so that the priests could not continue ministering because of the cloud; for the glory of the LORD filled the house of the LORD.
This is quite a spectacular sight. In the Bible, we often read about the cloud of glory that appears every time God’s presence is there. Such a remarkable sight might have impressed great awe and reverence upon the children of Israel.
However, we are often taught that in the presence of God, there’s calm, peace, and serenity. We are often taught to seek God’s presence because that’s where we get to find our solitude.
Not in this case, the presence of God comes with so much cloud that the priests can’t continue with the service they do for God.
In many other passages, we see how the presence of God doesn’t bring warm and fuzzy feelings to those who felt or experienced it. We see how people are stricken with fear and trembling.
I wonder what it feels like to be one of those priests. It could be that God’s presence emits so much holiness and power that they suddenly felt how small they are in His presence. Maybe, the sound and rumbling of the cloud made them afraid.
Nevertheless, I believe the most important lesson here is that the righteousness and holiness of God are astronomically so different compared to the righteousness that we have to the point that we are actually nothing without God’s mercy and grace.
As human beings, we are just a mere clump of cells or a body of dust. We are simply a tiny dot in this universe. We are so insignificant that when we die, it doesn’t stop the world from turning.
Thus, I believe that we must constantly be in God’s presence because it is God who gives meaning to our lives. When we live our lives apart from Yahweh, we are actually not living our purpose. We must seek God’s presence because only then our life will come with purpose and meaning.
Daily Bible Reading is a program that typically includes a 1-minute, full-of-inspiration blog, which I plan to publish every day. If you want to receive your daily dose of spiritual inspiration and learnings, leave your email address below:
If the content of this website blesses you, please consider supporting God’s noble work by sending your donation. This will help in keeping this website running and reaching more people with the Gospel of the Kingdom of God.
Becoming Christians 