Fire from Heaven (2 Chronicles 6-7)

I wish I could have been present when the fire from the Lord came down and consumed the burnt offerings and sacrifices given by Solomon and when the glory of the Lord filled the temple.  What an incredible experience that must have been!  The response of the people at that point is worth noting: they bowed to the ground and gave thanks.  It seems like our response to the presence of the Lord should be the same.  First, we bow down because we recognize that we are nothing in comparison with Him.  He is above all things, and He is worthy of our surrender.  Secondly, we give thanks because he has not consumed us as He has the offering on the altar.  God could consume us in an instant (as the Israelites must have surely recognized from their experience seeing his fire consume the sacrifice), but he doesn't, and our response must be to offer our thanks for graciously allowing us to survive.  Any blessing then that we experience in life is a gift from our Heavenly Father.  What a great reminder for us on Thanksgiving Day!