I don’t have all the answers, in fact, the older I get the more I realize what I don’t know.  One thing I know for certain though is that the LORD God, the creator and sustainer of life desires to dwell with mankind in the present and forever in His eternal kingdom someday.  Does that mean we won’t have afflictions in the life, no, but He promises to never leave us nor forsake us in this life.  In the old covenant God was present with His people via the ark of the covenant - “and there I will meet with you, and I will speak with you from above the mercy seat…” (Exodus 25:22)

As the people journeyed God’s presence would go with them and guide them and protect them via cloud by day, and fire by night.  The people would set-up a temporary tabernacle to house the ark as they settled and   tabernacled (“to dwell”) with God.  King David wanted to build a permanent temple in which to house the ark of the covenant and worship God, which his son Solomon would go on to do in Jerusalem. 

But God had something better in mind - “God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples make with hands…” (Acts 17: 24)

God does not live in a box nor does He want you to put Him there.  God sent His son Jesus Christ to usher in the new covenant. Now through a relationship with His son, through the new birth, you are the temple of God - “…do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you…” (1 Corinthians 6: 19)   Where does God dwell? - Christ now lives in you!  You are God’s permanent dwelling place!  He is with you wherever you go.  You are in covenant with God through His son Jesus Christ via the Holy Spirit.  God loves you and desires to journey with you in life. But like any relationship it takes two.  All too often we are guilty of neglecting our relationship with the Lord.  My prayer for you and me is that we will have the attitude of the psalmist, as he penned in chapter 132 verse 4 and 5, “I will not give sleep to my eyes or slumber to my eyelids, until I find a place for the LORD, a dwelling place for the Mighty One of Jacob!”

May too the lyrics by Barney Warren hold true for you and I - “I yield to thee Savior forsaking my all, from sinful things now I will part, to thee I surrender for mercy I call, Come take the first place in my heart.”

Pastor Rodney