She held her baby gently in her arms cooing at her daughter who had just been born the day before. Forgotten are pain and stress of yesterday, but what remained was an intense feeling of love toward the precious bundle in her arms. It wasn’t the infant that drew my attention though, it was the face of the mother shining like she was already in heaven as she gazed upon her beautiful baby. I couldn’t believe how much she glowed, pure joy exuding from her face.
Moses face also shone, but it was after being in the presence of Almighty God (Ex. 34:29+). It shone so much that the people, even his own brother, were afraid to get close to him- a mere man.
Jesus’ face shone on the Mount of Transfiguration (Mt. 17:2), God was there (v.5), and the disciples fell on their faces and were afraid.
Do we want the presence of Almighty God to fill our congregations today? Are we prepared for it? Where the presence of the Lord is there is fear (of the Lord) and reverence.
It came even to pass, as 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 musick, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the LORD; So that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of God. 2Chr. 5:13 ,14
Could the glory of the Lord fill our congregations today? I’d like to think so, and we should want it. Perhaps we just need to worship united as one with one voice of praise (celebration) and worship (reverence) to the Lord. Certainly, I’ve felt His presence in the services I’ve been at many times, but the tangible presence of God would be an amazing experience, and most likely, life changing. Imagine His presence so strong that we could not stand (or stay) to serve. Yet we have His presence wherever we go and “…if thou seek him, he will be found of thee…” (1Chr. 28:9).
Maybe if we seek Him with all our hearts- together and when we are alone- maybe His presence will change our countenance, and the world will notice and ask, “You’re positively glowing… what’s going on?”
“The glory of the LORD shall endure for ever…”
Ps. 104:31