1 Kings 8:11
“So that the priests could not stand to minister because of the
cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of the LORD.”
An amazing thing happened when Solomon dedicated the temple to God. Solomon had the priest bring the ark of God into the holy place. When the priests came out of the most holy place, the Scriptures say that “the glory of the LORD had filled the house of the LORD.” There was such a presence of God that the priests could not stand to minister. In other words, they had fallen prostrate on their faces because of God’s presence.
The Christian could have the same result in their life if they would enter into the most holy place with God. The most holy place for the Christian is the prayer closet. Prayer has a way of changing the Christian. Just as Moses’ countenance changed when he came off the mount after spending forty days with the LORD, the Christian will find things change in their life when they spend time with the LORD in prayer. Most of the problems that Christians battle would dissipate if they would spend time in the most holy place of prayer with God. These verses show us four things will happen when a Christian spends time in the most holy place with God.
First, the Christian will discover God’s presence in their life when they spend time with Him in the most holy place. The Scriptures show us that when the priests came out of the most holy place, “the cloud filled the house of the LORD.” Christian, you will never find God’s presence in your life if you never enter the closet of prayer. It is in the closet of prayer that God’s presence is discovered in your life. You can’t win His presence over by trying to impress Him with how much you do for Him, but you find His presence when you enter the most holy place of prayer.
Second, the Christian will find the power of God resting upon them when they spend time with Him in the most holy place. You won’t have to tell people that you spend time with the LORD because they will see it by His power working through you. You can desire the power of God on your life, but you will never find it without spending time with Him in prayer. It is in the closet of prayer that the power of God will rest upon the believer. There is no power without the closet. My friend, you will continue to work powerlessly in the work of the LORD as long as you avoid the most holy place of prayer.
Third, the Christian will see God’s righteousness and their unrighteousness in the most holy place of prayer. The verse above says, “…the glory of the LORD had filled the house…” God’s glory is His righteousness. Holiness is one of the great results of spending time in the most holy place of prayer. When you spend time with the LORD in prayer, you will see your unworthiness and His righteousness. The result of seeing the righteousness of God is it will cause you to live a more holy life.
Fourth, the result of spending time in the most holy place of prayer is a humble spirit. The priest could not stand because of God’s presence; likewise, the Christian will never boast of their goodness when they see God’s righteousness. Friend, the way to live a life of humility is to spend time in the presence of God. You will find when you come out of God’s presence, His power will rest upon you to live a humble and holy life that influences others around you.