God’s promise to dwell with His people is gloriously incomprehensible. Before sin entered the world, Adam walked with God in perfect bliss and security. But because of his transgression he (and all mankind with him) was driven out of the garden and away from God’s presence. The tabernacle, whose furnishings echoed Eden itself, was God’s earthly dwelling among the people of Israel. But its holiness was so intense that no one could endure it:
“Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud settled on it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.”
The temple, which came later, was larger and more ornate, but filled with the same unendurable glory:
“As soon as Solomon finished his prayer, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the Lord filled the temple. And the priests could not enter the house of the Lord, because the glory of the Lord filled the Lord’s house.”
But now that Emmanuel has come—God with us—we have no need of tent or temple.
“Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?”
But how can this be?
“Will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain You.”
How much less then can our minuscule, sinful hearts be expected to house the Holy Spirit?
“Who among us can dwell with the consuming fire? Who among us can dwell with everlasting burnings?”
And yet, somehow by God’s infinite and amazing grace, that is exactly what He commands:
“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.”
Lord, thank you for filling my heart with the same glory that Moses and the priests could not endure. Come in, blessed Savior, and may my humble heart be your eternal home!
“Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.”
“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”