WEDNESDAY

MARCH 27, 2024

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RUSSELL SANDERS

3-27-2024

GOD’S MANIFEST PRESENCE AND GLORY

Part 1

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We know that God is omnipresent [everywhere at the same time], but we do not ordinarily see His presence with our physical senses. However, there are times, places, or situations where God will manifest His presence and it is seen.

To manifest means to clearly show, so that something can be actually seen by your natural eyes or sensed by your physical senses, such as to smell. 

There are three main ways in which God will manifest His presence. They are by fire, by a cloud of smoke, or by a sweet odor.

When Israel left Egypt and entered the wilderness, God was with them day and night. The Hebrews had spent 430 years in pagan Egypt and had forgotten their God Yahweh. [Jehovah] He showed them his presence was with them in a cloud [smoke] which was over them by day and by fire overhead at night. In this manner, they could physically see His presence with them. It showed forth [manifested] his glory and his presence.

This is seen in several Old Testament passages of scripture. For example, in the wilderness at the tabernacle of the congregation. It was located on the outskirts of Israel’s camp. It happened when Moses entered through a cloud of smoke when he would enter the tabernacle. Joshua went in with him and lingered there after Moses went out so he could be in the presence of God’s glory.

When Solomon dedicated the newly built temple, God also manifested his presence in a cloud when the glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord. [1 Kings 8:10-11] The presence [glory] of God was so strong that the priests could not stand up to minister. [slain in the Spirit by the manifest glory of God.]

Even today, that glory cloud [or smoke] appears at times when God chooses when his people come together in unity. An example occurred in Africa where German evangelist Rheinhardt Bonnke was preaching. He was in a large outdoor stadium that held tens of thousands of people. There was a small, isolated section with several hundred lepers. As he preached, a cloud of smoke appeared over the lepers, and they were all instantly healed of leprosy. It was the manifest presence and glory of the Lord over them.

When God’s glory is manifested, there can be no sin, or disease or any kind of malady. His glory brings purification.

We will continue this series on God’s manifest presence and glory as we search other biblical examples.

HELEN SANDERS

3-27-2024

THE GLORY

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There is a lot of discussion in the body of Christ about the glory of God being manifested. Many long to see the glory come. Often it comes like a cloud and hovers over the people.

In 2 Chronicles 5 we see the temple of God has been built by Solomon and it is time to dedicate it. The glory of God filled the house of God, but it came when some things happened that preceded it coming.

In 2 Chronicles 5: 13 it says, “It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one…”  This let’s us know that there was unity in the place before the glory came. When there is disunity in a church or a home you can be sure that the glory, or presence of God will be hindered. Verse 13 goes on to say, “…to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD.” This also shows us that they were in unity in their worship. Their praise was as if one voice was being lifted up in unison to the LORD.

Verse 13 continues with, “…and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and praised the LORD…” Their voices were enhanced through the musical instruments that joined them in praise. It was not a quiet show of worship. It was a time of unity again through the use of musical instruments. Those churches that do not allow these musical instruments to be played will hinder the glory of God from coming into a service. Remember, this was done “in the house of God,” the temple. 

Then the people continued in verse 13 with, “…saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.” They elevated God with their worship and when they were in unity of voice, spirit, musical instruments, verse 13 continued with, “13 that THEN the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the LORD; and 14 said, “So that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of God.”

The unity, the worship, and the adoration of God brought the presence of God into that place. The cloud was the same cloud that led the Hebrew children by day out of Egypt. That same cloud of glory will come when our hearts are pure and right with God and unity is in our lives with those closest to us, whether it be in a church service or your home.

This glory is the manifest presence of the Holy Spirit. He comes when there is unity and harmony among those that seek him. It brings one to a place where they cannot stand in the presence of God and causes many to weep over their sin. Oh, that the children of God would walk with pure hearts, pure motives, worship their God in unity so that the Glory will come upon them!



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