The Core of Worship

10 There was nothing in the ark except the two tablets that Moses put there at Horeb, where the Lord made a covenant with the people of Israel, when they came out of Egypt. 11 And when the priests came out of the Holy Place (for all the priests who were present had consecrated themselves, without regard to their divisions, 12 and all the Levitical singers, Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun, their sons and kinsmen, arrayed in fine linen, with cymbals, harps, and lyres, stood east of the altar with 120 priests who were trumpeters; 13 and it was the duty of the trumpeters and singers to make themselves heard in unison in praise and thanksgiving to the Lord), and when the song was raised, with trumpets and cymbals and other musical instruments, in praise to the Lord,

“For he is good,
    for his steadfast love endures forever,”

the house, the house of the Lord, was filled with a cloud, 14 so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the house of God.

(II Chronicles 5)

The time had come. After decades of accumulation of materials and preparation and work, the Temple was completed, and God's people were able to come together and worship there.  Three things are mentioned: the Word of God, as summarized by the tablets with the ten commandmants, the Worship of God, led by the singers and instrumentalists, and the Wonder of God's presence, represented by the overwhelming cloud of His presence and power.  This last one is really what brought it all together: God's presence with His people. As we have opportunity to gather today, may we appreciate these great gifts from God: His Word revealed to us: His Worship surrounding us, and the Wonder that God would allow us anywhere near Him. May we humble ourselves before Him.