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Daily Devotions

Ephesians

Ephesians 
Day 
Day 118

"In whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit."

Text: Ephesians 2:22

THE DWELLING PLACE OF GOD

This issue was raised up several times in the Scriptures. Where indeed does God dwell? Let us ponder the following texts:

1. God’s question to David

David, king of Israel had a wonderful desire. He wanted to build God “a house”. God’s reply was in the form of a question.

“The word of the LORD came to Nathan, saying,
‘Go and tell My servant David,
‘Thus says the LORD: ‘Would you build a house for
Me to dwell in?
For I have not dwelt in a house since the time that I brought
the children of Israel up from Egypt, even to this day,
but have moved about in a tent and in a tabernacle.”'”
2 SAMUEL 7:4-6

God had contented Himself to “dwell” in a tent with the children of Israel from the time of Moses to the time of David the king.

2. Solomon’s observation at the Dedication of the Temple in Jerusalem

To Solomon was the task of building the Temple entrusted. At the Dedication of the Temple, Solomon mused,

“But will God indeed dwell with men on the earth?
Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain You.
How much less this temple which I have built!”
2 CHRONICLES 6:18

Solomon was right! No matter how magnificent a temple may be, God’s majesty is so great that it dwarfs everything human beings deem grand or significant (And Solomon’s temple was truly grand by human standards).

3. God deigns to dwell among His people

God accepted the humble offer of Solomon. He declared that He would indeed bless the Temple in Jerusalem in a special way.

“Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive
to prayer made in this place. For now I have chosen
and sanctified this house, that My name may be there
forever; and My eyes and My heart will be there perpetually.”
2 CHRONICLES 7:15-16

IF GOD WERE TO CHOOSE TO DWELL AMONG MEN

Paul postulated the thought that God was personally building His own temple that He might dwell among His people. This temple would not be made by man’s hands. This work would be performed by the Lord Himself.

Let us be challenged to assume the stance that Solomon took. Let us stand in awe of the thought that God would dwell among men, when the heavens cannot contain Him.