Can't Stand It

In 2 Chronicles 5 we read, ^“...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, so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the house of God.

After Solomon finished the work of building the temple, the people began to praise and shout to the Lord for his goodness and his lovingkindness.  They accompanied their voices with instruments of music.  So they obeyed, they gave the honor to God, and they proclaimed his character aloud together.

And what happened?

The glory of the Lord filled the house, so much the priests “could not stand to minister.” Now that’s a picture!

God responds to his people by showing up in glory when they praise him, prepare a place for him to dwell, and proclaim who He is.  They were also praising in once voice.

I’d say their praise and prayers were effective.  

How do we measure the results of effective prayer? 

God’s glory comes – his magnificence and beauty – and nothing else compares to it – and we are forever changed.