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Philip . . . went to the city of Samaria and told the people there about the Messiah. Crowds listened intently to what he had to say because of the miracles he did. Many evil spirits were cast out. . . . And many who hadbeen paralyzed or lame were healed. So there was great joy in that city.
—Acts 8:5-8
Philip preached the Word, and God performed miracles. The manifested presence of God brought joy, and the miracles attested to the fact that God was in Samaria.
In 1 Kings 8:11, God’s presence so permeated the atmosphere in the magnificent temple that “the priests could not continue their work because the glorious presence of the Lord filled the Temple.” After the celebration of the Festival of Shelters that followed the dedication of Solomon’s temple, the people of Jerusalem were “joyful and happy because the Lord had been good to his servant David and to his people Israel” (1 Kings 8:66).
When we, as believers, become dry and lethargic in our worship and evangelism, our real need is for more of the manifested presence of God. His presence refreshes, rejoices, renews, and makes us desire to tell everyone of His goodness. As Solomon did, let us fall to our knees and pray for His presence to fill our temples. Then all men will see and believe that “there is no God like [ours] in all heaven or earth” (1 Kings 8:23).
Suggested Reading:
1 Kings 8:1-66 Acts 7:51-8:13 Psalm 129:1-8 Proverbs 17:1