MONDAY May 6, 2024
God’s Dwelling Place
...in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.
Ephesians 2:21-22
Many people view a church building as the place where God dwells. They may have a sense of awe when entering an old church building with beautiful, stained glass windows. Yet God does not live in a building made with men’s hands. God dwells within us. Believers in Christ become the Temple of God:
...do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? (1 Corinthians 6:19).
Interestingly, the word temple used in 1 Corinthians 6:19 is the same word used for the Holy of Holies in the Jewish Temple where God’s presence dwelt. In the Temple behind the veil, stood the Ark of the Covenant. The lid was called the Mercy Seat. It had two golden Cherubim with wings stretched out covering the Mercy Seat. Once a year, only the High Priest entered there on the Day of Atonement with the blood of an animal sacrifice for his sins and God’s people’s sins.
Hebrews 10:19-22 explains how we are able to come before God’s holy presence anytime because Jesus has made atonement for our sins by His blood:
Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
Do you understand the depth of meaning in these verses? At any time, you now have access to God’s throne because of Christ’s shed blood. Today, what will you take to God’s throne room in prayer?
Heaven and earth, all the emperors, kings, and princes of the world, could not raise a fit dwelling place for God; yet, in a weak human soul, that keeps His Word, He willingly resides.
~Martin Luther~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!