This is a follow-up to a conversation about reading scenes in the bible together across multiple chapters.

I was reading 2 Chronicles today, and something occurred to me in the scene capturing the completion and dedication of the Temple of Solomon. It starts in chapter 5, describing the scene as the ark of the covenant is brought into the temple. In verse 12, you see there were Levites dedicated to worship with music and song. What stood out is that it says their duty was to make themselves heard in unison. Ho ho that'll preach! They sang these words

"For he is good

for his steadfast love endures forever."

It says God showed up in such a way that priests could not stand to minister.... Come on, now.

So we see something special happening here when God's people worshiped Him in unison this way. Let's move on to the fire

Solomon blessed the people and offered a prayer of dedication. As soon as he finished praying, Fire came down from heaven, and the glory of the Lord filled the temple. He was already there in a powerful way, but then the only person who could outdo God, Himself, just went ahead and took it up a few notches.

So we have worship in unison accompanied by God's overwhelming presence

Then God shows out big time with some fire and His glory in response to a dedication (Oh come on)

Then, look at what happens in verse 3 in response to God falling down. 

The people fall on their faces in worship and sing

"For he is good

for his steadfast love endures forever."

ahh! You guys. When these people were faced with God in an undeniable way. What did they do?!... They worshiped Him the way the Levites did prior. You guys, when people encounter God they are going to follow the example that has been set by the people of God before them. Because the Levites worshipped in unison, singing, "For He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever." They worship him all together, singing, "For He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever." If the Levites' worship wasn't in unison, do you think the peoples' worship would have been in unison? If the people of God worship with unity, that is what people will know worship to look like. If the people of God worship with joy, that is what people will know worship to look like. If the people of God worship with apathy, that is what people will know worship to look like. If the people of God worship with reverence, that is what people will know worship to look like. If the people of God worship with contempt, that is what people will know worship to look like. If the people of God worship with unity, that is what people will know worship to look like. If the people of God worship with disunity, that is what people will know worship to look like.

If we can display more unity than disunity, in how we worship God, we will see the church grow more unified, not less. Let's be dedicated to worshiping God in unity.