Celebrate the joy of experiencing God’s Presence.

Solomon spent seven years building the Temple. Then, when all Israel gathered for the Feast of Tabernacles, Solomon had the ark of the covenant brought into the Temple. With the ark came the manifest presence of God.

The priests then brought the ark of the Lord’s covenant to its place in the inner sanctuary of the temple, the Most Holy Place, and put it beneath the wings of the cherubim … When the priests withdrew from the Holy Place, the cloud filled the temple of the Lord. And the priests could not perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled his temple (1 Kings 8:6, 10-11).

The people so delighted in God’s presence that they celebrated Sukkot for 14 days, instead of seven. Then, they “went home, joyful and glad in heart for all the good things the Lord had done for his servant David and his people Israel” (1 Kings 8:66).

Feast on the Word

Read the whole story of Solomon’s Sukkot celebration in 1 Kings 8. Savor Psalm 16:11:

You lead me in the path of life; I experience absolute joy in your presence; you always give me sheer delight (NET).

Celebrate the Feast

Ask the LORD to keep his appointment with you today in a way you know he is present. Invite his glory to fill the place where you are. Declare that his glory will fill the earth. Wait for him. As you begin to encounter him, respond to him. You may, for example:

• Praise him, starting with 1 Kings 8:23.
• Pray Psalm 16 to him.
• Pray for and bless his people, using 1 Kings 8:56-61 as a guide.

Go on your way joyful and glad in heart.

Image © David Ohmer, flickr, Evening Light on Cedar Lake Fountain, CC 2.0

See also

• The intro to this Feast of Tabernacles celebration guide and links to all 8 Days, at Sukkot: The Feast of Joy
• Celebrating God at his appointed times