“… 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.” 2 Chronicles 5.13-14
As Solomon dedicates the temple he built to God, an amazing thing happens. God manifests His presence so tangibly that there is a cloud and the priests “could not continue ministering”. In a real way, the glory of the Lord filled the house of God.
Now the house of God is no longer in a physical place like a city or building. God’s house is now His people. This is the House that He has built. No man has built nor can he. God “dwells in temples not made with hands.”
In other words, we are His house, the home where He lives. And God wants to fill His House with His glory. He desires it more than any extreme revivalist could understand.
Of course in a way He already does. I do not mean to suggest that because we do not see certain manifestations that God does not rest there, now. But He does seek to be known through His people, to manifest Himself in such a way that the whole earth is aware of His glory.
But something happened in this scripture before He filled the temple that Solomon built: “the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the Lord …”
There is a real need for unity among the brethren before God manifests Himself in a glorious way. True believers must lift up their voices to join in with the “one sound.” This isn’t just something you believe or have “in your heart.” It is a sound “to be heard.”
So what is this one sound? Well, let’s define the source of the one sound before we answer that question. The source of this sound is from the Spirit of God. There is one Spirit. While we are all individually filled and led by the Spirit, the Spirit is one. There are not many Holy Spirits. Only one. The Bride of Christ is not a harem of individuals, but a singular Body betrothed to Him. This is due to the singular Holy Spirit all who believe.
Now that we have the source, what is the sound? The sound is worship unto God. But of course we understand that worship is not singing alone. Worship in the New Covenant is, even at a basic level, is your life as a “living sacrifice,” which is a life of sacrificial worship unto the Lord in obedience and love and service to the Lord and others. This can only be possible by the Holy Spirit, what Peter calls “the divine nature” of whom we are partakers.
As challenging as that is, that is not the end of what God is waiting for. Just as these singers and musicians all joined their worship together into one sound, so must we find others to come along side and live the life of “living sacrifice” together. Making it “one sound.” While I am confident in our spiritual connection and one-ness with one another through the Spirit, unity must be expressed through gathering with other saints of God. And not just a meeting here or there, but truly living it out with one another on a day to day basis.
“Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like precious oil upon the head, running down on the beard, the beard of Aaron, running down on the edge of is garments. It is like the dew of Hermon, descending upon the mountains of Zion;”
-and are you ready for the next verse?-
“For there the Lord commanded the blessing – life forevermore.”
If it doesn’t get more clear than that, realize that it was when the believers were “all with one accord in one place” that Pentecost happened in Acts. And “where two or more are gathered in my name, there I am in the midst”. Or the world “will know you’re My disciples if you love one another as I have loved you.” How did Jesus love us? Did He stay in Heaven to speak from there? No, He came to live among us. And as evidence that Jesus spoke truth, it was in Antioch “where they were first called Christians.” By whom? By those in the city who saw the testimony of love and righteousness so powerfully that they recognized Christ within it and called them “little Christs”, Christians.
We put a sign on a door or a website to label who we are and yet have no testimony to back it up. The truth is if you’ve got the testimony you don’t have to label it … they’ll know. We’ve gotten it backwards in so many ways I wonder if we know how far we have to go.
One thing before I end this here … conformity is not unity. Diversity of gifts and roles is to be celebrated in the Body. You are not to be conformed but “transformed.” There’s a difference. And freedom is given for certain convictions in regards to some things – what to eat or not eat, days to consecrate, etc. But these are not to be placed as a burden on the entire Body, because under the New Covenant we do now worship with worldly or fleshly things but through love and righeousness/obedience.
There is also a diversity of the Spirit working through you that must also be celebrated and acknowledged:
“Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all …” 1 Corinthians 12.4-7
One sound to be heard for the profit of all.
If this isn’t making sense at all … that’s okay. Love one another and it will all work out.
Peace.
Thank you, Britt.