Our ancestors had the tabernacle of the covenant law with them in the wilderness. It had been made as God directed Moses, according to the pattern he had seen. After receiving the tabernacle our ancestors under Joshua brought it with them when they took the land from the nations God drove out before them. It remained in the land until the time of David, who enjoyed God’s favor and asked that he might provide a dwelling place for the God of Jacob. But it was Solomon who built a house for him. However, the Most High does not live in houses made by human hands. As the prophet says: ‘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? Has not my hand made all these things? (Acts 7:44-50)
God doesn’t live in a building. His throne is in heaven. Yet His Holy Spirit dwells on earth and blesses us when we are obedient by repenting, loving, following His commands, and serving Him. In Exodus 25:10-40 God gives Moses very specific instructions for making the tabernacle of the covenant law (the Ark of the Covenant) where God would talk to Moses and lead the Israelites. Moses served God by following His instructions to build the Ark, so God would dwell with them.
We must examine our churches and our bodies which were made to be temples for God. God will not dwell where there is no repentance, where people fight instead of love, where the truth isn’t spoken, where Jesus is not accepted as Savior, or where He is not served. Whenever we follow God’s plan through His instructions, we will be blessed.
Father God in Heaven, I praise You because You have a grand plan for my life. Remind me to repent and help me love, pray about the dreams you’ve placed in my heart, and act on Your nudges. In Jesus’ precious name, I pray, amen.