The Lord’s Dwelling Place
I grew up being taught not to run in church. I was taught to be very respectful of the building where the church met. It was called the Lord’s house. I used to think that the only place you could feel the Presence of God was in the church. Some of this type of thinking is connected to the Old Testament when the Lord dwelled first in a Tabernacle (aka special tent) and then later He dwelled in the Temple. Fast forward to Jesus coming to earth and dying as an innocent man – the veil in the temple separating the Most Holy Place (where God dwelled) & the rest of temple was ripped from top to bottom. It wasn’t just a simple wind storm; this veil was like 4 inches think. I believe the Lord ripped the veil to remove any obstacle so that I could go directly to Him through His Son instead of a priest.
The sons of Korah have written a Psalm about how God loved to dwell among His people. This was before Jesus came. The Lord’s dwelling was in Zion among His people. Check this out…
1 He has founded his city on the holy mountain.
2 The Lord loves the gates of Zion
more than all the other dwellings of Jacob.
3 Glorious things are said of you,
city of God. (Psalm 87:1-3 NIV)
After Jesus came, the world as it was known changed. Jesus was the “Ultimate High Priest” – He is the ONLY way necessary to have access to God. No spiritual giant (aka priest) or selected leader is necessary – God came to man and His dwelling place is now in the heart of man. This truth blows my mind. God went from the “far off being” to personally living inside my heart. I’m so thankful. He walks with me. He speaks truth into my heart. He directs my path (when I listen). He protects me. He provides for me. He LIVES in me! Check this out…
19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies. (1 Corinthians 6:10-20 NIV)
16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. (Ephesians 3:16-17a NIV)
God’s dwelling place now is not a building made with human hands, it’s inside the hearts of His people who believe in Him; trust in Him and welcome Him in.
Pressing On!
Dwayne