Staying within the context of 1 Kings 8:1-10, it seems to me that the only way to create an atmosphere for the glory of God in a place or someone’s life is to bring in the ark of God.
Obedience: The glory of God often shows us in places where the people obey simple instructions. Here in 1 Kgs. 8:1-3, the bible states that Solomon instructed the elders, heads of tribes and chief fathers to bring the ark and the brought it – signifying obedience. Please check your life to see if you are careful to obey instruction of your God, parents and leaders; this is the only atmosphere where God shows us. Verse 3 brought about verse 11. Samuel said to Saul, “to obey is better than sacrifice …” – 1 Samuel 15:22
Offerings & Sacrifices of praise: 1 Kgs. 8:5 reveals that Solomon and every one with him were sacrificing unto God innumerable sheep, oxen, etc. It is in the atmosphere of generosity and cheerful giving that God’s glory shows up. He won’t show up for the atmosphere of stinginess. If you want God to show up for you, become generous in your praise of His name, your giving and you generosity at large. Verse 5 brought about verse 11.
God’s position: Letting God occupy His rightful position in your life will create an atmosphere for His glory. As we see in verse 6, the people brought the ark “to its place, into the inner sanctuary of the temple, to the Most Holy Place, under the wings of the cherubim.” Verse 6 brought about verse 11. Jesus must occupy your heart, that’s the rightful place for Him. He says “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hears my voice, and opens the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” – Rev. 3:20.
When you bring Jesus into your life, you have created atmosphere for God’s glory. I say this because everything about the ark of God which was brought into the temple represents Jesus.
If the ark of God had a bowl of manner in or around it (Heb. 9:3-4), as you know, the manner sustained the people in the wilderness, so it is that Jesus is the manner that came from heaven for the sustenance of all believers’ lives. In John 6:32-33, 35, 51-58 He describes Himself as the bread who came from heaven, NO JESUS, no life. No Jesus, no glory. When you have Jesus in you, you carry the glory of God.
Also, if the ark of God had the rod of Aaron in or around it (Heb. 9:3-4), we know that the rod budded so that God can prove that Aaron was the chosen priest. So it is that the rod represents Jesus as the chosen One from God for the salvation of mankind. When you have Jesus, you experience the glory of God. In Matthew 3:17 God says, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.” “And no man takes this honor to himself, but he who I called by God, just as Aaron was.” – Heb. 5:4
As far as the law (the commandments – 1 Kgs. 8:9) is concerned, Jesus became everything for us. 1 John 2:2 says he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins…”
When we think of the mercy seat that is on the ark, we think of the atoning blood of Jesus. In those days, the priest had to sprinkle animal blood on the mercy seat in order to remove the sins of the people, but today, for everyone who accepts Jesus as Lord and Savior, the blood He shed on Calvary has removed the sins we commit. Halleluiah! By this perfect and compassionate work on the cross, the glory of God was brought into the lives of all believers. Halleluiah!
All I am saying is that if you want to experience the glory of God, you must have Jesus Christ in your life. With Jesus in you, anywhere you go, people will see that you are full of God’s words (the commandments); you carry the blood, name and power of Jesus – for purity and victory; and your needs will always be met – because you have the manner in you.
Embody Jesus, then you’ll always experience the glory of God. He Himself is the ark of God and wherever the ark goes, God’s glory shows us. No wonder, wherever the ark of God is, Satan (Dagon) is destroyed – 1 Samuel 5:1-12; wherever the ark of God is, there is blessing – 2 Samuel 6:11 (Obed Edom).
Accept Jesus and become like Him. As you go around, you are like the ark of God and the glory of God will continue to show over you.