10.26.2025 "In The Thick Of It

Oct 26, 2025

Devotional

Day 1: God’s Presence Fills the Darkness

God’s glory is not limited to moments of light and clarity, but often fills the thickest darkness, meeting us in our deepest need and uncertainty. When the cloud filled the temple, the priests could not stand to minister, yet it was in that very cloud—dense, mysterious, and overwhelming—that God’s presence was most fully revealed. This challenges our assumptions that God is only found in moments of triumph or brilliance; instead, God chooses to dwell in the places of confusion, struggle, and even despair. In the fog of our lives, when answers are unclear and hope seems dim, God is there, working in ways we may not understand, but always present and always faithful. [42:01]

1 Kings 8:10-12 (ESV)
And when the priests came out of the Holy Place, a cloud filled the house of the Lord, so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord. Then Solomon said, “The Lord has said that he would dwell in thick darkness.”

Reflection: When have you experienced God’s presence most powerfully in a time of uncertainty or darkness, rather than in clarity or success?

Day 2: God Dwells in the Mess, Not Just the Monument

God is not confined to our most beautiful buildings or our best efforts, but is present in the messiest, most unexpected places—shelters, encampments, hospital rooms, and even in the midst of injustice and suffering. The presence of God is not about perfection or grandeur, but about a living, breathing reality that moves among the overlooked, the underpaid, and the hurting. Rather than calling us to build monuments to ourselves, God calls us to build up our values, to recommit to justice, and to find Him in the places that look nothing like a temple. God’s glory lives in the murk of each of us, making every place holy by His presence. [47:12]

Psalm 34:18 (ESV)
The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.

Reflection: Where in your community or daily life do you sense God inviting you to notice His presence among those who are hurting or overlooked?

Day 3: Nothing Can Separate Us from God’s Love

No matter what we face—death or life, angels or rulers, things present or things to come—nothing in all creation can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. This assurance is not just a comfort in times of joy, but a powerful promise in the midst of suffering, injustice, and uncertainty. God’s love is steadfast and unbreakable, holding us fast even when the world feels unstable or hostile. In the thickest clouds and the darkest nights, God’s love remains, drawing us together as the body of Christ and giving us hope that salvation is at hand. [51:16]

Romans 8:38-39 (ESV)
For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Reflection: What is one fear or circumstance that makes you doubt God’s love, and how might you bring that honestly before God today?

Day 4: The Church Is a Healing Place for Sinners and Seekers

The church is not a citadel for the perfect, but a healing place for sinners and for those who desire meaning. Every saint has a past and every sinner a future; the church is a community where brokenness is met with grace and where all are invited to belong, regardless of their story. Rather than striving for perfection or exclusivity, the church is called to be a refuge for those seeking hope, healing, and transformation—a place where God’s mercy is made real in the lives of ordinary people. [49:12]

Luke 5:31-32 (ESV)
And Jesus answered them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”

Reflection: Is there a part of your story or struggle you have been hiding from your church community? What would it look like to bring it into the light and seek healing?

Day 5: God Calls Us to Move with Him into the World

God is always on the move—never confined to one place or people, but leading us out into the world to join in His work of justice, mercy, and love. From the wandering ark to Jesus’ ministry in Galilee to the Spirit’s movement at Pentecost, God’s presence is dynamic and calls us to follow, to serve, and to reform what it means to be the church. We are not here to wait for God to show up, but to prepare ourselves to go out and join God in the thick of life, unafraid of mystery and committed to serving even when the way is unclear. [48:32]

Micah 6:8 (ESV)
He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

Reflection: What is one concrete way you can step out of your comfort zone this week to join God’s work in your neighborhood or city?

Sermon Summary

God’s presence is not reserved for perfect people or flawless circumstances. The glory of God fills this house and our lives, not because we have everything polished and in order, but because God delights in meeting us in our need, in our mess, and even in our darkness. Throughout scripture, God’s glory is revealed not only in burning bushes and pillars of fire, but also in thick clouds and deep darkness. When Solomon completed the temple, it was not the gold or the grandeur that marked God’s arrival, but a cloud so dense that the priests could not stand to minister. This cloud, this darkness, was the sign of God’s presence—a reminder that God chooses to dwell in the places that are unclear, uncertain, and even overwhelming.

This is a countercultural truth. The world tells us to look for God in success, in light, in certainty, and in power. But God’s glory is not the shallow imitation of worldly dominance or wealth. Instead, God’s presence is found in the fog, in the mystery, in the places where we feel lost or overwhelmed. In the face of injustice, cruelty, and systems that seem to be crumbling, it is easy to feel incapacitated, like those priests in the temple. Yet, scripture assures us that the cloud is where God is. God is present in shelters, in hospital rooms, in protests, in the overlooked and underpaid, in the places that look nothing like a temple.

We are not called to build monuments to ourselves or to contain God within our own expectations. God is not a relic or a brand, but a living, breathing presence, always on the move—wandering with the Israelites, walking with Jesus in Galilee, and breathing life into the church at Pentecost. Our calling is to join God in the thick of it, to be a church that is not a citadel for the saintly, but a healing place for sinners and seekers. Every saint has a past, and every sinner a future. We are invited to reclaim our resolve, to face the dark clouds with courage, and to serve God even when the way is unclear. God’s glory lives in the murk of each of us, and nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.

Key Takeaways

1. God’s presence is most profound in the darkness and uncertainty, not just in moments of clarity or success. The cloud that filled Solomon’s temple was not a sign of absence, but of God’s deep, mysterious presence. When life feels overwhelming or unclear, that is often where God is closest, inviting us to trust and lean into the mystery rather than flee from it. [42:46]
2. The world’s version of glory—rooted in power, wealth, and certainty—is a shallow imitation of the true glory of God. God’s glory disrupts our expectations, showing up not to reward our efforts or polish, but to dwell with us in our vulnerability and need. This challenges us to seek God not in dominance or success, but in humility and openness. [44:01]
3. God is present in the places and people the world overlooks or rejects. Whether in shelters, hospital rooms, protests, or among the underpaid and marginalized, God’s glory is found in the thick of human struggle and suffering. Our calling is to recognize and join God’s work in these places, rather than seeking to escape or ignore them. [46:33]
4. The church is not meant to be a fortress for the perfect, but a healing place for those seeking meaning and transformation. Every person carries both a past and a future, and God’s grace is at work in the messiness of our lives. We are called to be a community that welcomes imperfection and fosters growth, rather than one that demands perfection. [49:12]
5. Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus—not darkness, not uncertainty, not even our own failures. This assurance grounds us in hope and courage, empowering us to face whatever comes with faith that God is with us, working all things together for good. [51:16]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[40:42] - God’s Glory in Imperfect Places
[41:22] - Images of God’s Presence in Scripture
[42:01] - The Cloud Fills the Temple
[42:46] - God Dwells in Darkness
[43:23] - Countercultural Glory vs. Worldly Glory
[44:01] - God’s Presence Disrupts Expectations
[44:39] - God in the Fog of Uncertainty
[45:16] - Facing Injustice and Overwhelm
[45:58] - God’s Work in the Darkness
[46:33] - God Among the Marginalized
[47:12] - Building Values, Not Monuments
[47:51] - God on the Move
[48:32] - Joining God in the World
[49:12] - The Church as a Healing Place
[49:51] - Reclaiming Courage and Resolve
[50:34] - Affirmation of Faith
[52:03] - Calvary Nursery School Community
[55:53] - Gratitude for Children and Families
[56:39] - Fall Festival and Community Life
[57:54] - Upcoming Events and Announcements
[58:35] - Calvary Arts Salon: Grief and Loss
[59:50] - Invitation to Connect and Give

Bible Study Guide

Small Group Bible Study Guide: God’s Presence in the Darkness

Bible Reading

1 Kings 8:10-12 (ESV)
> And when the priests came out of the Holy Place, a cloud filled the house of the Lord, so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord. Then Solomon said, “The Lord has said that he would dwell in thick darkness.”

Deuteronomy 4:11 (ESV)
> And you came near and stood at the foot of the mountain, while the mountain burned with fire to the heart of heaven, wrapped in darkness, cloud, and gloom.

Romans 8:38-39 (ESV)
> For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Observation Questions

In the story of Solomon dedicating the temple, what was the sign of God’s presence, and how did it affect the priests? (1 Kings 8:10-12)
According to Deuteronomy 4:11, what was the environment like when God’s presence was revealed to the Israelites at Mount Sinai?
The sermon mentions that God’s glory sometimes appears as darkness or a cloud, not just as light. What are some examples from scripture or the sermon where God’s presence is found in darkness? [42:46]
What does Paul say in Romans 8:38-39 about what can separate us from God’s love?

Interpretation Questions

Why might God choose to reveal his presence in darkness or a cloud, rather than in light or clarity? What does this say about how God relates to us in times of uncertainty? [42:46]
The sermon contrasts the world’s idea of glory (power, wealth, certainty) with God’s glory. How does God’s glory “disrupt our expectations,” and what does that mean for how we seek God? [44:01]
The sermon says that God is present in places and people the world overlooks or rejects. What does this suggest about where we should look for God’s work in our community? [46:33]
The affirmation of faith from Romans 8 says nothing can separate us from God’s love. How does this assurance affect the way we face difficult or unclear situations? [51:16]

Application Questions

Think about a time when your life felt overwhelming, unclear, or “cloudy.” Did you sense God’s presence in that time, or did you expect God only in moments of clarity and success? How might you look for God in the “fog” this week? [42:46]
The world often tells us to look for God in success, power, or certainty. Are there areas in your life where you have been seeking God’s approval through achievement or “getting everything polished”? How can you practice humility and openness instead? [44:01]
The sermon says God is present in shelters, hospital rooms, protests, and among the overlooked and underpaid. Is there a place or group in your city or neighborhood where you sense God might be at work in the “mess”? How could you join God’s work there? [46:33]
The church is described as a “healing place for sinners and seekers,” not a fortress for the perfect. How can our small group or church become more welcoming to people who feel imperfect or are seeking meaning? What practical steps could we take? [49:12]
“Every saint has a past, and every sinner a future.” Is there a part of your own story that you feel disqualifies you from God’s presence? How does this sermon challenge that belief? [49:12]
When facing injustice or systems that seem to be crumbling, the sermon encourages us to reclaim courage and resolve. What is one specific way you can act with courage or serve God even when the way is unclear? [49:51]
Romans 8:38-39 promises that nothing can separate us from God’s love. Is there a fear, failure, or uncertainty in your life that you need to surrender to God’s love this week? How can the group support you in this? [51:16]

Sermon Clips

“God is here in this place. The glory of God is all around us and fills this house. That's the claim we made at the beginning of this service. It's the claim that calls us every week to worship, the promise that we are not alone, that the living God is with us, and that the glory of God doesn't need perfect conditions or perfect people, but only for us to come together in reliance on the Holy Spirit.”

“But what happens when God's glory doesn't come as light, but as darkness, not a field of flowers, but as dark midnight, thick and heavy. In today's readings from first kings, Solomon does not demolish but builds the house of God. It is the product product of an arduous process. Many things conspired to bring the temple. There were negotiations with King Hyram. There was determining the precise placement of every stone and cedar and cyprress. All the hammered gold priests processing the ark of the covenant into the holy of holies.”

“A cloud filled the house of the Lord so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud. The priests were incapacitated. But Solomon in his wisdom reminded people how some 400 years before God had appeared to Moses who draw drew near to the darkness of God. And how in Deuteronomy 4, you came near, scripture says, "And you stood at the foot of the mountain while it blazed with fire to the very heavens with black clouds and deep darkness. Not as a brilliant stained glass window, not as an Easter sunrise, but in murky, undefined theology."”

“Right there in the thick of it all is where God chooses to dwell. Amen. This is a deeply countercultural message for those who associate the presence of God with light and fabulous success. We've been told to believe in a fairskinned manly God who grants military victory and blesses hard work with wealth. And that blessed wealth will lead us to be very smart people with lots of insights. No wonder people follow the billionaire strong men who claim to have all the answers.”

“Theirs is a worldly glory, the glory of a dominating culture. And it's the shallowest imitation of glory there is. But today's text and our liturgy today tells a different truth. Solomon builds a gilded temple and God's presence turns dim its sheen. Can you imagine all that polishing all getting everything just right and God shows up and ruins the whole thing? God does not show up with riches and rewards, but with presence, a deep divine presence.”

“God shows up in the blackest midnight, and God is present with us in our thick darkness. Not in the sunshine, but in the fog. Did you see the picture on the cover of the bulletin? That's a photograph of San Francisco fog. God shows up not with a brilliant light bulb of insight, but with the mystery of not knowing. That's where God is. I need God in the fog of 2025.”

“Because let's be honest, some days it feels like evil is winning. Some days it's just too much. The slide towards authoritarianism wraps itself in a flag. billionaires who change their political stripes, depending on the weather, I guess. The cruelty towards immigrants and transgender children, and the unhoused people of God, the shattering of systems we depend on like education, justice, health care, the free press crumbling. I wonder if justice is still possible in a world that is ordered by profit and might.”

“And some days I confess I feel like those priests unable to stand, incapacitated, kind of old and in the way. The cloud is heavy and it fills the entire place. But today's scripture says that the cloud is where God is. The darkness is where God does some of God's best work. That means God is present and in the shelters and in the encampments. God is in detention centers and union halls and Home Depot parking lots. God is in hospital rooms and in morgs and in protests and in marches.”

“God is in and with the Reverend Jorge Baltista. And if not currently present in the masked thug who shot him, God is at least present in the pepper bomber's mom. I am convinced. And God is with the underpaid and the overlooked. God is in the mess of it all. In the places that look nothing like a temple, in the places that smell like a stable, God is there in the thick of it.”

“God is not calling us to build monuments to ourselves, but rather to build up our values, to recommmit and rebuild a new reformation, and to refuse the ways of fascism. God's presence is not about superiority or even approval. Today's scripture warns us clearly, even the most skillfully constructed architecture will not contain God. God is not a relic for display. God is not a brand to protect. God is a living, breathing presence. And our God is always on the move.”

“Back in the meeting tent, when God lived in the ark in the meeting tent, he wandered for centuries with the Jews who were freed from the narrow place. Later on, Jesus will wander in the Galilee region as an itinerate prophet, always on the move, sometimes disappearing, always returning. After that, the spirit of Pentecost will breathe life into the church and billow the world out into the world.”

“We're not here in this beautiful place hoping that God shows up. We're here to prepare ourselves to go out into the world and join God moving and dancing in the thick of it. Amen. The dark cloud is the fullness of God's presence. So, let's reform what the church is. The church is not a citadel for the saintly. Okay? Please don't come to church if you're perfect. I've been to that church. It is exhausting.”

“The church is the healing place for sinners and for people who desire meaning. My friend, Reverend Jim Matulski says, "Every saint has a past and every sinner a future." Yes. So later when we sing a mighty fortress is our God, let's reclaim the resolve in those words from Martin Luther. Let the dark clouds come our way. Come on, bring it on. We're not afraid. We will not shrink from mystery. We will not wait for the smoke to settle before serving God.”

“We will not sit in silence while injustice shoots at peaceful protesters. God is in those clouds of pepper spray. And the glory of God fills this house and makes it more than a building. God's glory lives in the merc of each of us. In you and in me, the body of Christ, all of us together with the Holy Spirit. That means salvation is at hand.”

“Solomon builds a gilded temple and God's presence turns dim its sheen. Can you imagine all that polishing all getting everything just right and God shows up and ruins the whole thing? God does not show up with riches and rewards, but with presence, a deep divine presence. God shows up in the blackest midnight, and God is present with us in our thick darkness. Not in the sunshine, but in the fog.”

“Today's scripture warns us clearly, even the most skillfully constructed architecture will not contain God. God is not a relic for display. God is not a brand to protect. God is a living, breathing presence. And our God is always on the move. Back in the meeting tent, when God lived in the ark in the meeting tent, he wandered for centuries with the Jews who were freed from the narrow place.”

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