The flashing red lights of the police car led the way as we marched out of our old building, down the middle of the street to our new home. It was like a scene from the pages of 1st Kings. Four of our elders hosting our Ark of Memories with the long poles went before our procession as we made the half mile trek. There was singing and talking and celebration. It took over thirty minutes for our throng of people to make the journey. Some couldn't walk so they followed in their cars reminiscent of a holiday parade.
The service began with some former ministers sharing their fond memories of what God had done through the congregation during their pastoral leadership. Congregates had been placing their memories of what God had done in the past in our Ark of Memories for several weeks. We shared some of those moments. Some special items and pictures were also placed in our ark. Then, at the close of the last service in our old building, we closed up the Ark of Memories, the elders inserted the long poles and off we headed to the new place.
It must have been an emotional time for many as the priests took the Ark of the Covenant from it's resting place in the old Tabernacle and led the procession to the newly completed Temple. The scene had to be amazing. The noise of the crowd and animals and instruments must have resonated for miles. What a sight to behold as the Ark was placed in its new magnificent home.
As you read the story of the completion and dedication of Solomon's Temple in 1 Kings 8, you have to be caught up in the celebration yourself. The amount of sacrifices and offerings being made to the Lord was incredible. Solomon offered up 22,000 cattle and 120,000 sheep and goats alone. The text says that there were so many sacrifices being made that it was impossible to count them all. The middle part of the court yard had to be dedicated as a place for sacrifice because the huge bronze altar wasn't large enough to handle it all. Amazing!
But the best part of the whole celebration was when the Ark of the Covenant was put into place. As the priest carefully and reverently positioned the Ark in the Holy of Holies and then left, the physical appearance of God descended. During the forty years of wilderness wanderings, God had led the Children of Israel with a cloud by day and pillar of fire by night. As long as they were encamped, the pillar would remain over the Tabernacle. God's cloud once again reappeared and filled the new Temple. It was so powerful that it ran the priest out of the Temple. They were unable to perform their priestly functions.
When the presence of God moved into the Temple, it was a sign to the people that God was with them and among them. Although, they knew that the Temple couldn't contain God, it was a symbol to them that God was taking up residence in their neighborhood, and in fact was the central place in their lives.
The Holy Spirit is that presence for us today. He moves into our lives the moment we dedicate ourselves to God. Belief, confession, repentance are part of that process. And baptism seems to be the coronation or the dedication of our temple, our body as Paul explains in Romans 6. He says it's when our old self dies and Christ raises us anew.
I long for that daily filling of the God's presence in my life. I want the power of God's Holy Spirit overwhelming me, driving ME out; driving out my iniquities, my inferior ambitions, my woeful human nature, my prejudice, my inadequacies, my evil and negative thoughts and practices. I want to be blown away by God's presence in my life.
God, each day I want to sense your holy presence in my life. I'm tired of the dryness and corruptness I allow into your temple. I need that daily refreshment and renewal. I need to be overwhelmed by your goodness and majesty. I want to flow in the richness of your current, move with your rhythms, relax in your ambiance. Blow your breath of holiness into my life.
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