Dwelling in the House of the Lord
One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple. ~Psalm 27:4
Have you ever wondered what it means to “dwell in the house of the Lord”? In the above verse, the psalmist is not only wanting to experience it but he wants to dwell there all the days of my life.” Today, we would probably think of the house of the Lord as being a church building; however, the average person does not live there. It is just a place that we visit a few times a week at most. I believe the answer comes in Jesus’ words in Luke 17:21 where He says, “Neither shall they say, See here! or, see there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.” I desire to dwell in God’s presence–His Kingdom–24/7 all the days of my life … and beyond!
If you want to be nitpicky, you may remind me that we are always in God’s presence, and I do not argue that point. However, there is a difference between God watching everything we do and actually walking beside us, having fellowship with us, and directing us. I want to be aware of God’s presence–not just mentally but tangibly.
When you dwell in God’s presence, there is also a peace and a joy that cannot be explained. It is not only something you feel and experience but it is something that radiates to those around you. Just as bad attitudes are catchy, joy can also be catchy. It’s hard to be in too foul a mood when those around you are rejoicing.
It is easy to become focused on self and circumstances. I understand that. But I don’t want to stay there. One of my favorite hymns says:
Lord, lift me up and let me stand
By faith on Heaven’s tableland
A higher plane than I have found
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground
Do I hear an Amen?!
Good remarks.
One thing that should be considered, People did not have access to the Holy Ghost as we do now. They had to make a constant effort to go to the temple to be in the presence of God.
People couldn’t even go near God’s presence without having sacrificed, washed themselves and made themselves virtually pure before they could go near the presence of God.
At Mount Sania when God wasn’t wanting to speak to the people, they could not go but so close to the mountain.
What David was saying: I want to be clean where that I can be in God’s presence.
God many time sent His angels to minister to individuals, such as Daniel.
One other thing to consider. When the priest or whoever was in the Temple, they had to be clean and annointed.
The Priest were only allowed to wear certain garments in the Temple where God’s presence dwelt.
The Temple had an outer where all could come, but the presence of God wasn’t in the outer court. They could hear different priest and scribes teach in the outer court, but the presence of God was not there.
They had synagogues but the presence of God was not there.
But the presence of God showed up occasionally like when Jesus had just came through 40 days of fasting and temptations and went to the Synagogue in Nazareth.
Luke 4:16-21
16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.
17 And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written,
18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.
20 And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him.
21 And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.
When Jesus came the presence of God through him was willing to get Himself dirty to be with humanity and minister to them.
Where Jesus went the PRESENCE OF GOD was among the people.
The PRESENCE OF GOD would be willing to become unclean and touch and heal the Lepers and all the others that were sick.
The PRESENCE OF GOD was willing to let a woman with the issue of blood to touch Him and Heal her by the virtue coming out of Him.
When Jesus, THE PRESENCE OF GOD ascended back to heaven, there was no PRESENCE OF GOD on this earth.
The people in the upper room was praying for the PRESENCE to return. Jesus had taught them to be ready for the return of the PRESENCE OF GOD, the Holy Ghost. Jesus had let them feel that PRESENCE in a limited apportion when He was here on earth. They knew how it felt in limited portions.
But then on the Day Of Pentecost, the PRESENCE OF GOD, the HOLY GHOST came and blowed their minds and it was so strong that they were like drunk people full of Joy.
What was so great the PRESENCE OF GOD, the HOLY GHOST was willing to get dirty again and dwell in unclean vessels and clean them up and make them a VESSEL OF HONOR.
Thank God for being willing to get dirty and live in humanity to make them a VESSEL OF HONOR where that we could live in the PRESENCE OF GOD if we walk in the Spirit.