II Chronicles 5 (NIV)

Summary:

The Temple Furnishings
Verse 1

When the temple work was done, Solomon brought in all his father David had dedicated: silver, gold, and furnishings.  Solomon stored them in the temple treasuries.

The Ark Brought to the Temple
Verses 2-14

Solomon summoned the elders, heads of tribes, and chiefs of the Israelite families up to Jerusalem.  They were to bring up the ark of the Lord's covenant from Zion, the City of David.  All these men came up at the time of the festival in the 7th month.  They took up the ark, the Tent of Meeting, and all the sacred furnishings.  These were carried by the Levites.  In Jerusalem, they sacrificed more sheep and cattle than could be counted.

The priests brought the ark to the Most Holy Place and set it under the wings of the cherubim.  The poles were so long that their ends could be seen from the inner sanctuary, but not from outside the Holy Place.  The ark is still there to this day.  In the ark are the 2 tablets that Moses received at Mount Horeb, where God made a covenant with Israel after they came out of Egypt.  The priests left the Holy Place and consecrated themselves.

The Levite musicians: Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun, their sons and relatives stood on the east side of the altar, dressed in fine linen.  They played the cymbals, harps, and lyres.  They were accompanied by 120 priests sounding trumpets.  The trumpeters and singers joined with one voice to give PRAISE and THANKS to the Lord.  "He is good; His love endures forever."  (Verse 13b)

The temple filled with a cloud and the priests could not perform their duties, because the glory of God filled His temple.

Lori's Thoughts:

Yes!!!  This is how it was meant to be between us and God!  Give glory to Him for bringing you out of bondage and into prosperity.  We may not be Israelites, but Christ adopted us when He came and sacrificed Himself for us.  We no longer need to sacrifice animals to atone for our sins.  We must accept Christ's atonement for us.

See what happens when we praise Him?  His glory filled the temple of the Old Testament.  If we accept Christ, who fulfilled the old covenant, and allow Him to live in us in the new covenant, you can be sure that His glory will fill us when we praise Him.

Take time to thank Him this Easter!  We should celebrate His death and resurrection as much, if not more, than His birth.  It doesn't need to be elaborate, just heartfelt.  "He is good; His love endures forever!"

Need a place to experience heartfelt praise?  Come to Gateway Fellowship on any Saturday at 6:00pm.  It's at Takoma Academy - 8120 Carroll Ave., Takoma Park, MD 20912.
Website: http://mygatewayfellowship.com/ 
or listen to WGTS 91.9FM on the radio or online at: http://www.wgts919.com/

Remember to praise God when times are hard, because He is holding you and will see you through.  Remember to praise God when times are good, because He is holding you and is seeing you through.

"Oh, praise the One, who paid my debt, and raised this life up from the dead!"
"Oh, Praise The One, Who Paid My Debt, And Raised This Life Up From The Dead!"
"OH, PRAISE THE ONE, WHO PAID MY DEBT AND RAISED THIS LIFE UP FROM THE DEAD!"
"OH, PRAISE THE ONE, WHO PAID MY DEBT AND RAISED THIS LIFE UP FROM THE DEAD!!!"