Where Does God Live?
Thus says the Lord: Heaven is my throne and the earth is my footstool;
what is the house that you would build for me? Isaiah 66:1
TodayÂ’s text is the first verse of the last chapter of Isaiah. The entire chapter is a fitting climax to the book. God will lift up the humble, judge the people, destroy the wicked, bring all believers together, and establish the new heaven and the new earth. If God will be able to do this then we must understand His greatness. He rules both heaven and earth. Against this background then, God questions the unrepentant people of Israel. Where will you put me?
what is the house that you would build for me? Isaiah 66:1
TodayÂ’s text is the first verse of the last chapter of Isaiah. The entire chapter is a fitting climax to the book. God will lift up the humble, judge the people, destroy the wicked, bring all believers together, and establish the new heaven and the new earth. If God will be able to do this then we must understand His greatness. He rules both heaven and earth. Against this background then, God questions the unrepentant people of Israel. Where will you put me?
This question is relevant to us today as well. Where have you placed God? Remember Naaman when he was healed, gathered bags of Israelite soil to take back to Syria with him so that he could worship God on Israelite soil. Ancient religions taught that gods were territorial. A god was powerful only where he/she was known and worshipped. The temple in Jerusalem then was seen as the earthly home of God. It was the central place of worship, located in the central city of the people. No matter where the Hebrews went, they built synagogues, but recognized that there was only one temple, one place where they would be able to worship God as he should be truly worshipped. That was the temple in Jerusalem. The beautiful temple however was woefully inadequate for a God who is present everywhere. We cannot confine God to any human structure. "But will God really dwell on earth with men? The heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain you. How much less this temple I have built! 2 Chronicles 6: 18. Here Solomon was marveling that God could even consider coming on earth to inhabit the temple that was built by human hands. We hear the words of Isaiah being echoed in Acts 7: 48 – 50 The Most High does not dwell in houses made by human hands. 'Heaven is my throne and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build for me? says the Lord. Or where will my resting place be? 50Has not my hand made all these things?
As we reflect then we must ponder on where in our lives we consider to be the house of God. Where does God dwell for us? For some people, God dwells at their workplace. Why do I say this? ItÂ’s the most important place to them. ItÂ’s the place that they spend most of their time, energy and effort. Their entire lives revolve around work. They argue that this is where they get their pay and it is from that same pay that they pay their tithes and offerings, not recognizing that the health and strength to do their jobs come from God. Work for such persons is more important than anything to do with church [or God, though they would never agree with this]. Are you such a person?
For some people God dwells in church. We go there to meet him on Sunday mornings and maybe one evening during the week. Such persons are dedicated to their church and will be there regularly. They will also be involved in the activities of the church as long as it does not conflict with other plans. Such persons will have a fulfilling worship only to move back into the world, thinking that they can spiritually coexist. How wrong you are! Such persons live worldly lives away from the church, thinking that God is left at church and when they return they will make amends by seeking forgiveness, by giving their tithes and offerings, and by doing other things that are pleasing to God in his house of worship. Are you like that?
Then there are those who have made a home for God in their hearts. Such persons recognize a need for God in every aspect of their lives, they declare a complete dependence on His guidance and they recognize his omnipresence in this world that He has created and in which He exists. Such persons will allow every aspect of their lives to be influenced by the indwelling of GodÂ’s Holy Spirit as He guides their lives from day to day. Are you such a person?
My friends the dwelling place that God truly desires is the heart of a person who is humble and contrite, and who recognizes and trembles at His word. When we open hearts of faith to receive Him, God will inhabit our lives. Where in your life, does God live?
Into my heart, into my heart, come into my heart Lord Jesus. Come in today, come in to stay. Come into my heart Lord Jesus.
Remember, the only way Christ can show in our lives, is when he is living there.
Till next Tuesday, be blessed.
As we reflect then we must ponder on where in our lives we consider to be the house of God. Where does God dwell for us? For some people, God dwells at their workplace. Why do I say this? ItÂ’s the most important place to them. ItÂ’s the place that they spend most of their time, energy and effort. Their entire lives revolve around work. They argue that this is where they get their pay and it is from that same pay that they pay their tithes and offerings, not recognizing that the health and strength to do their jobs come from God. Work for such persons is more important than anything to do with church [or God, though they would never agree with this]. Are you such a person?
For some people God dwells in church. We go there to meet him on Sunday mornings and maybe one evening during the week. Such persons are dedicated to their church and will be there regularly. They will also be involved in the activities of the church as long as it does not conflict with other plans. Such persons will have a fulfilling worship only to move back into the world, thinking that they can spiritually coexist. How wrong you are! Such persons live worldly lives away from the church, thinking that God is left at church and when they return they will make amends by seeking forgiveness, by giving their tithes and offerings, and by doing other things that are pleasing to God in his house of worship. Are you like that?
Then there are those who have made a home for God in their hearts. Such persons recognize a need for God in every aspect of their lives, they declare a complete dependence on His guidance and they recognize his omnipresence in this world that He has created and in which He exists. Such persons will allow every aspect of their lives to be influenced by the indwelling of GodÂ’s Holy Spirit as He guides their lives from day to day. Are you such a person?
My friends the dwelling place that God truly desires is the heart of a person who is humble and contrite, and who recognizes and trembles at His word. When we open hearts of faith to receive Him, God will inhabit our lives. Where in your life, does God live?
Into my heart, into my heart, come into my heart Lord Jesus. Come in today, come in to stay. Come into my heart Lord Jesus.
Remember, the only way Christ can show in our lives, is when he is living there.
Till next Tuesday, be blessed.
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