A guest post with Emily Wickham
LORD, WILL YOU OVERWHELM ME?
2 Chronicles 6:41–7:3
It’s impossible to imagine eternity. I can’t visualize the majesty of God’s presence and the breathtaking reality of seeing Jesus: His scars, His smile, and the love in His eyes. My desire to be with Jesus continues to grow; yet “now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known.”10
I’m going to live with God forever, and I’ll worship Him for all eternity. The curtains of this world will be drawn back, exposing the splendor of His eternal presence. My humanity causes this vision to fade, but when I truly focus—when I cast the cares of this world behind—I almost get a glimpse.
“In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.”11 Come, Lord Jesus.
PRAY WITH ME
Father in heaven, You exceed description. Your glory transcends all else. I confess my worship could be so much more if I devoted myself to You more fully. Thank You for awakening my heart to the riches of Your glory. Please overwhelm me with Your loveliness.
In Jesus’s matchless name, amen.
Read 2 Chronicles 6:41–7:3 and reflect on these thoughts
King Solomon closed his prayer by inviting the Lord God to enter His resting place. Solomon included the priests and godly ones in his closing words, and he beseeched the Lord to continue showing favor toward him in memory of His love for King David.
God immediately responded in an awe-inspiring manner. Fire signifying His presence12 descended from heaven, consuming the burnt offering and sacrifices. This outstanding display confirmed that “the Lord, enthroned above the ark in the temple, accepted, well pleased, the sacrificial service carried on on the altar of this temple.”13Everything reached a crescendo as the Lord’s glory permeated the temple.
Nothing could have readied the people for the magnitude of God’s presence, and the priests couldn’t even step inside. When the Israelites gazed upon this fiery sight and beheld God’s glory, they knelt “with their faces to the ground.”14 This posture eliminated the fire from their sight, but they still felt its heat. What an extraordinary yet fearful experience! Worship rose while words of the Lord’s goodness and eternal lovingkindness gushed forth.
The Israelites’ God exists today, yet He now dwells in His people rather than in a hand-built, stone temple. His glory remains unspeakably magnificent, and He deserves every ounce of reverence. When recognized and honored, the Holy Spirit’s presence within us ignites passion. God’s radiance should shine freely through us into our dark world. May the Lord overwhelm us with His glory, drawing near to us as we draw near to Him.15
Apply this passage to your life
Which of God’s characteristics particularly awes you, and why?
How will you implement more reverence into your prayers?
Practice prayer on your own
Read Exodus 3:1–6 and Ezekiel 1:22–28. Write your own prayer in response.
Taken from Closer to God © 2026 by Emily Wickham. Used by permission of Our Daily Bread Publishing, P.O. Box 3566, Grand Rapids, MI 49501. Further distribution is prohibited without permission from Our Daily Bread Publishing at permissionsdept@odbm.org
Closer to God: A 10-Week Study on Prayer is available at Our Daily Bread, Amazon, Christianbook, Barnes & Noble, and more.
EMILY WICKHAM shares God’s Word and wonders with women. She is the author of Closer to God: A 10-Week Study on Prayer, as well as a podcaster, Youtuber, and Lifeway writer. Married to Mark since 1989, she is a mom of four and a mother-in-love. Emily enjoys life close to the beach in South Carolina. Learn more about Emily at proclaiminghimtowomen.com and enjoy her weekly posts at heartstirrings.substack.com.
Connect with Emily on Social Media:
YouTube (Emily Wickham Channel)
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