During the Spaces series, Beyond the Weekend will preview the coming weekend’s message rather than looking back at the previous one—mirroring our group curriculum and helping prepare our hearts for the upcoming sermon. This week, that means looking ahead to The Temple.

Read: 2 Chronicles 7:1–10| Listen: 2 Chronicles 7

When all the Israelites saw the fire coming down and the glory of the Lord above the temple, they knelt on the pavement with their faces to the ground, and they worshiped and gave thanks to the Lord. 2 Chronicles 7:3a

Try as they might, the priests cannot enter the building. As soon as Solomon finishes praying, fire consumes the sacrifice, and the glory of the Lord fills the temple. The gathered nation of Israel watches in awe. God is dwelling in their midst! Years earlier, God promised this would happen. David’s son, King Solomon, would build the dwelling place of God. If Solomon followed God’s ways, God would live among his people (1 Kings 6:11–13). Now, as the people gather, they see God’s great glory! In response, they bow down and worship. They proclaim his goodness and never-ending love.

This is still true for us today; God desires to dwell among us. He moves toward us through Jesus and reveals himself in his Word. By the Holy Spirit, he is present with us. It is his nearness that brings us to reverence. Worship is the natural response of God’s people when he draws near. It is something we respond to with our entire lives. We worship when we gather on the weekends, raising our voices in gratitude to God. We bow down in reverence when we open his Word throughout the week. And we even worship as we serve others and intentionally live Spirit-led lives (Romans 12:1–2). Like Israel, we proclaim his goodness and never-ending love.   

TODAY: All of life is an act of worship. Join the Ada Bible worship team as they sing, “Love of God.”