So where exactly does God live?

In Matthew chapter 6, the Lord is instructing His disciples on the right way to conduct themselves before men and before God. In verse 9, He instructs them on the way to pray which we know as the Lord’s prayer. The verse begins with,

“After this manner therefore pray ye:
                                                ‘Our Father, which art in heaven, …’ ”
Matthew 6:9a (KJV)

or in modern day English,

“This, then, is how you should pray:
                          ‘Our Father in heaven, …’ ”
Matthew 6:9a (NIV)

Yet God declared to his prophet Jeremiah,

” ‘Do not I fill heaven and earth?’
declares the Lord.” 
Jeremiah 23:24b (NIV)

Seems a little contradictory to me. Does God really dwell in heaven, or is he presently filling both heaven and earth? How big is heaven? Does it include the entire universe?

Seriously, most people still seem to regard God as separated from mankind (or at least the living ones), even as somewhat aloof and uncaring. Sometimes even the actions of confessing Christians betray a similar belief. But that isn’t the God of the Bible at all!

After giving the Israelite people the law, God instructed Moses:

And let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell in their midst.
Exodus 25:8 (KJV)

Though he had already been accompanying them on their journey from Egypt, he chose to actually take up residence with them, by dwelling in the tabernacle (tent). What kind of strange and marvelous Divine Being chooses to do this??? And yet, God had even more in mind than that!

As if to seal his relationship with the Jewish people in matrimony, he had the temple constructed, a permanent place of residence in which to move, just as a husband and wife build a house together in which to share life. But still, he had more in mind! Particularly considering that he allowed that precious temple to be destroyed, not once, but twice, even using the term “divorce” to refer to his failing marriage. (see Jeremiah 3:8)

But then Jesus entered the world, and God had arrived in Person, as an infant human, naked, powerless, and vulnerable, that is, in the greatest humility! Called Emmanuel (see Matthew 1:23), his very name meant “God with us”. Here was God in physical presence!! And yet, God still had more in mind!

Emmanuel grew up and established a beautiful ministry to the poor and needy, as we would expect God to do. Yet eventually his earthly ministry concluded, and he returned to the Father. But the climax of the story of God’s dwelling place with man still had not yet occurred. This story actually climaxed at Pentecost (see Acts 2:1-4), when God first took up residence directly within his people, making them (and us) his new temple!! Yes, he refers to the church as a whole as his temple! (see Ephesians 2:21-22) That’s people he’s livin’ in!!

Actually, when we realize that God seeks to live within individual human beings, we realize that the story of God’s dwelling place climaxes every single time a new heart is opened to his habitation! That the God who fills heaven and earth has chosen to make his home within us should endlessly fill us with awe and wonder, joy and amazement! I know it does me, at least at this stage in my life! Hallelujah indeed!!!!!

~ Mike

[Originally published: 17 March 2009 at 5:54 am]