2 Chronicles 5:13-14 (NKJV)
indeed it came to pass, when the trumpeters and singers were as
one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the Lord, and when
they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of
music, and praised the Lord, saying: “For
He is good, For His mercy endures
forever,” that the house, the house of the Lord, was filled with a cloud, so
that the priests could not continue ministering because of the cloud; for the
glory of the Lord filled the house of God.
Praise Invokes the Presence of God
2 Chronicles 5 describes when the Ark of the Covenant was brought into
the just completed temple. All had gathered to celebrate with praise and
worship at which time the Glory of God came into the temple in the form of a cloud.
The scripture above demonstrates the power of God’s presence that results
from corporate vocal praise. Note that:
1) God descended when the people were unanimous in their “praise song” (as at
Pentecost when the people were gather in one accord – Acts 2:1-4 When the Day
of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And
suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it
filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them
divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all
filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the
Spirit gave them utterance). 2)The cloud of God’s presence became evident when the singers and players
praised the Lord in song and music. This
is the praise that pleases God better than the sacrifice of an ox or bull
(Psalm 69:30-31 I will praise the name of God with a song, And will magnify Him
with thanksgiving. This also
shall please the Lord better than an ox or bull…). The house (temple) was filled with a cloud
(the rich and abundant splendor of God).
God’s presence was preeminent and filled all the sacred space in the
temple. The result was that the priests cease their work (ministering),
for the glory of the Lord was present (2 Chronicles 5:14.
Remember, even in praise, thanksgiving, and worship, God is not confused
(1 Corinthians 14:33 For God is not the author of
confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints). Anything said or done that draws attention to
the praise/worshipper and away from God the Father, God the Son, and God the
Holy Spirit needs to be reconsidered.
We can understand that there was great preparation as the people came
into the temple to praise and worship.
This is a blue print for us in this present age to follow whether it is
the beginning of service (praise team & pastors), ministry teams, your
prayer time, bible studies and classes, etc. The Church as a whole can do a
better job of calling on Holy Spirit in church functions.
Corporately, the Healing Room that I am a part of calls on the Holy
Spirit in each and every session. It is
so critical to invite the Holy Spirit into the Healing Room because it is the
Holy Spirit that is needed as we pray and command healing. The intercessors and the healing room team
members subject ourselves to the empowerment of the Holy Spirit in all that we
do. The healing and miracles are a
result of our obedience to operating in the Holy Spirit.
Below is a preparation guideline that I use prior to any Godly function
that I am a part of. I encourage you use
a similar guideline and do the same.
Praise and Worship - My heavenly Father, in
the name of Jesus I come before You with thanksgiving and praise. I bless
Your name. You are great and greatly to be praised. I
worship You, I adore you, and I love You.
I thank You, Father, for
clothing me in a robe
of righteousness, which covers me because of the shed blood of Jesus Christ. I
thank You God for
being our only
God. I thank You for Your son Jesus who
died on the cross for our sins. I thank
You for the Holy Spirit that You sent to be our helper.
Psalm 100:4 Enter into His gates
with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and
bless His name.
Isaiah 61:10 I will greatly
rejoice in the LORD, My soul shall be joyful in my God; For He has clothed me
with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of
righteousness.
Psalms 30:4 Sing praise to the LORD, you saints of His, and give thanks at the
remembrance of His holy name.
I call on the Holy
Spirit to be present as I pray and seek answers.
Jeremiah 33:3 Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty
things, which you do not know.
Forgive me Father.
Psalm 51:1-2 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according
to your great compassion blot out my transgressions (things that are
wrong and I still do them). Wash away
all my iniquity (generational wickedness) and cleanse me from my sin (the
result of iniquity and transgressions).
Abide in me as I come
to your throne as a living sacrifice. I surrender
to You.
John 15:7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you
desire, and it shall be done for you.
Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you
present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is
your reasonable service.
Job 11:13 (CEV) Surrender your heart to God, turn to him in prayer.
Blessings to you all,
Tony Sanchez
