1 Kings 8:10-11 When the priests left the Holy Place, a cloud filled the Temple of God. The priests couldn’t carry out their priestly duties because of the cloud—the glory of God filled the Temple of God!

The temple was finished, and it was time for the great dedication. All the Israelites were probably there. The priests took the ark of the covenant to the Most Holy, and then something happened that no one had foreseen: God’s presence filled the temple.

Of course, this was not the first time that this had happened. God led the people through the desert in a pillar of cloud. When God filled the tabernacle, the cloud was also so dense that Moses could not even enter. Now the same thing was happening again.

The cloud was so dense that the priests could not continue with their work. They must have set up a whole day’s programme to bring sacrifices and complete tasks. But when God arrived, everything stopped. The programme had to wait. God was there.

We can also build temples, construct church buildings, plan a lot and even pray for God’s will, but we cannot manufacture God’s presence. Solomon could import the best building materials from other countries and use the best craftsmen to build the most beautiful temple for God, but if God did not move in, it would remain an empty building.

And as we’ve already said: We can easily become so busy with the things of God that we forget God Himself matters most. Too often, in our eagerness to build our religion, we forget to make space to experience His presence.

Maybe sometimes we should just stop doing things and become silent before Him. Not because God has yet to arrive from somewhere, but because we must arrive and become aware that He is already there.

That is intimacy with God. Not always asking something of Him or trying to do something for Him, but sometimes just being with Him. Because when God fills the space, the programme can wait a while.

Maybe the busy ones among us should think about this.

Prayer
Father, I want to slow down and simply sit quietly with You. In the noise of my busy world, finding that stillness isn’t easy. Teach me to be still and be aware of Your presence …

Questions
Am I sometimes so busy doing things for God that I forget to just be with Him?
When was the last time I was quiet without asking God for something?
What makes it difficult for me to be aware of God’s presence?

Do this now
Sit alone with God for ten minutes today. No cell phone, music, or prayer list.
Don’t try to do or say anything. Just be still and remind yourself, “God is here. I just need to be with Him.”