There are moments when God shows up in a mighty way and we are simply called to step back. This was one of those moments.
“in unison when the trumpeters and the singers were to make themselves heard with one voice to praise and to glorify the LORD, and when they lifted up their voice accompanied by trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and when they praised the LORD saying, “He indeed is good for His lovingkindness is everlasting,” then the house, the house of the LORD, was filled with a cloud, 14 so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the LORD filled the house of God.”
2 Chronicles 5:13-14 NASB
The cloud of Shekinah glory was no strange sight to the people of Israel. It is mentioned many times in Scripture as representative of His presence. But this time, through praise and worship, His glory became so thick that the priests simply could not stand to minister. All they could do was sit back and let God do His thing.
“It is worthy of note that this great outpouring of the glory of God came in the context of intense and dedicated praise. God pours out His glory when His people praise Him. “We can never expect to have God in this house, or in our own houses, or in our own hearts, until we begin to praise him. Unless as a people we unanimously, with one heart, though with many tongues, extol the King of kings, farewell to the hope that he will give us his presence in the future.”
Charles Spurgeon
The challenge is simple. Do we expect God to do an amazing work in our lives and the lives of others without intense and dedicated praise? It is so true that God often pours out His glory when His people praise Him.
“The glory of God had filled the house, and the priests were set aside. Where God is, man is forgotten. You will think little of the minister save for his work’s sake – you will talk the less of the man when you shall see the Master.”
Charles Spurgeon
This is so true. Our heart’s desire should be for others to see Christ and forget us. That is really the heart of a humble leader.