The God Who Dwells With Us
1 Kings 8–9; Exodus 25:10–22
There are moments when the presence of God feels almost tangible. Like the weight of His glory presses close and fills the room. I’ve had times in prayer or worship when my heart was stilled in awe, when I knew without question that God was near. That’s the feeling I imagine when Israel saw the temple filled with the glory of the Lord in Solomon’s day.
In 1 Kings 8, Solomon completes the temple and brings the ark of the covenant inside. This ark was no ordinary chest; it was the sign of God’s covenant with His people, first described in Exodus 25:10–22. Covered in gold and overshadowed by cherubim, the ark represented God’s throne on earth. It was placed in the Most Holy Place as a reminder of His promise: “There I will meet with you… and I will speak with you about all that I will give you in commandment for the people of Israel” (Ex. 25:22).
When the priests set the ark in place, a cloud filled the temple: the very presence of God so thick they could not stand to minister. In that moment, heaven touched earth, and the people saw that God’s dwelling was not distant but near. Solomon prayed, dedicating the temple and asking that God would hear the prayers of His people, whether they were near or far. And God responded. In 1 Kings 9, He promised His eyes and heart would always be on that temple, though He also reminded Solomon that His blessing would rest on obedience.
This moment was breathtaking, but it was only a shadow of what was to come. The ark, the temple, the cloud of glory… all of it pointed to Jesus, who came to dwell among us, and the Spirit who now dwells within us. We no longer need to enter a building to find God’s presence. Through Christ, our hearts have become His temple, and His glory fills us from the inside out.
When I think about this, I realize the same God who filled Solomon’s temple with His glory is the God who meets me in the quiet corners of my life today. Whether I’m in a sanctuary full of people or standing at my kitchen sink, He is present. His eyes and His heart are always turned toward His people.
Do I recognize God’s presence in the ordinary places of my life?
Just as God’s glory filled the temple, His Spirit now dwells within me. Every moment can become holy ground if I pause to remember that He is near.
Lord, thank You for being the God who dwells with His people. Thank You that through Jesus, I don’t have to go searching for Your presence; it lives in me. Teach me to carry an awareness of Your glory into the ordinary places of my life. Let my heart be a temple where Your name is honored. Amen.
