HEAVEN TO EARTH CONNECTION-2

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This week I am working my way through what I call the "heaven-to-earth" connection. There are 5 movements of God throughout Biblical history that demonstrate what God wants to do with man more than anything else.

1-GOD WANTS TO WALK WITH MAN.

Today we come to the second. 2-GOD WANTS TO DWELL AMONG HIS PEOPLE.

I recently ran across an insightful blogger on the internet, Tim Callies. I was first struck by what he said about "church", he says, "I am proposing that there may come a point in a Christian's life where it is obvious 'the Lord has left the building' and it is time to find out with whom He is meeting so you can be there."

I couldn't have said it better! You see, God wants to dwell among His people on planet earth. In a very real sense, this is what will distinguish God and His people from all others. In Exodus 25:8 God says, "Then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them."

This theme of purpose is extended to the very end of the Bible. In the last book of the Bible in Revelation 21:3, it says, "And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Look! God's dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.'"

God commands Moses to oversee the building of a sanctuary in which He will dwell. Israel is promised God's very presence. At the very establishment of the nation of Israel, God's presence becomes a fundamental characteristic of the nation's identity. They will be marked by God's presence. To be God's people was to have God's presence. In Exodus 33, following the incident with the golden calf, God promises to have His presence go with Moses and with the people. Moses says, "Is it not in your going with us, so that we are distinct, I and your people, from every other people on the face of the earth?" Never before has God dwelt with man in this way.

Man had free fellowship with God in the Garden, but God did not dwell there. God met with Moses on Mt. Sinai in a powerful way, but God did not dwell there. Now God commands Moses to make a tent, a tabernacle, so He could live with them. God takes up residence in their midst!

The location of the tabernacle points to this, for it was to be in the middle with the Twelve Tribes arranged around it. This is exactly where a king's tent would be located when he would lead his people into battle. And there dwelt the Divine warrior. When the people entered the Promised Land, this dwelling--a portable tabernacle--would be replaced by a permanent dwelling place--the Temple, so that God would rest with His people. This shows us first that these dwellings were the mark of God's presence with His people and in doing so He identifies with His people.

Again, this is why God asked Adam and Eve, "Where are you?" And, as His people continued to grow and gather together outside the Garden God was always doing anything He could do to bring His people closer to Himself. But even more than this, He wanted to dwell among His people.

Let me ask you something. Have you ever felt the presence of God as you gather with His people? God is willing to do anything He has to do to get close to you. Rob Bell says that God is saying, "I want to get down there!" And when God shows up among His people, some amazing things happen and people are touched with His loving and healing touch.

Are you looking for God to bring His presence to you? Are you looking for God to dwell among you and your relationships? He's doing His best to find you, so He can dwell with you!