God’s Dwelling

I really enjoy reading history and studying things that happened in the past regarding our country. I was recently in Washington D.C. and visited many significant historical sights. As I study history, it always sheds light on the present. The people who went before us were thinking of us as they were building and leading our country. There is a rich history here for sure, from when the first settlers came from England all the way to today. There are times of pain, embarrassment, suffering and hardship (that was quite an understatement), but the end result of such struggle and challenges is an amazing country to live in.

King Solomon was building upon the legacy of his father King David. It had been a goal of David to build a temple for the Lord instead of the temporary tent tabernacle. The Lord liked David’s idea but wanted his successor/son to build the tabernacle. Solomon became king after David and followed through with the building of the great temple. After the temple is complete Solomon calls all of the leaders together for the dedication service. The service he leads is very reflective as well as calling for personal commitment to the Lord. He asked some hard questions in his presentation as well. Check this out…

27 “But will God really dwell on earth? The heavens, even the highest heaven, cannot contain you. How much less this temple I have built! 28 Yet give attention to your servant’s prayer and his plea for mercy, Lord my God. Hear the cry and the prayer that your servant is praying in your presence this day. 29 May your eyes be open toward this temple night and day, this place of which you said, ‘My Name shall be there,’ so that you will hear the prayer your servant prays toward this place. 30 Hear the supplication of your servant and of your people Israel when they pray toward this place. Hear from heaven, your dwelling place, and when you hear, forgive. (1 Kings 8:27-30 NIV)

I can look back on the history of Israel and see that God did indeed dwell here on earth. In fact, He still does. As I read these historical events through the lens of Jesus coming to earth, they look quite different. God no longer dwells in fancy buildings made by men, He makes His home inside my heart. Check this out…

7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. (1 Corinthians 4:7-10 NIV)

The Lord no longer dwells in a temple or a particular church house. He dwells in the hearts and lives of His people. He loves walking with me and talking with me. He loves it when I trust Him with the smallest details of my life and work. I was reminded this morning of the Power of His Presence in me. I need to hold my head up and face whatever comes my way today because He dwells in me and together we can walk through anything. He is my strength. He is my purpose. He drives and directs my life as I simply surrender it to His Will and His Way. The Lord God lives, dwells and works in and through my life. #thankful

Pressing On!

Dwayne