God’s Habitat

A habitat is a place of residence. Where is God’s habitat?

In the Old Testament God commanded Israel to build a tabernacle, a place for the Ark to dwell.

“And let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them … And there I will meet with you, and I will speak with you from above the mercy seat.” (Exodus 25:8, 22a NKJV)

But God doesn’t dwell in man-made temples, instead the Lord is everywhere, and nothing can hold Him.

“Will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain You. How much less this temple which I have built.” (1 Kings 8:27 NKJV)

But God has chosen to make His habitat within the lives those cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ. Belief in Jesus brings us into the fullness of the Godhead.

“If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.” (John 14:23 NKJV)

Believers are also the temple of the Holy Spirit.

“Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own.” (1 Corinthians 6:19 NKJV)

Individually we are God’s dwelling place, but God also dwells in the midst of His church. The Apostle Paul says we are the body of Christ. Together we are His dwelling place. Jesus said were two or three are gathered in His name, He is there, Matthew 18:20.

Just like Solomon’s temple was built using stone, we are now the stones that form God’s temple.

“You also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 2:5 NKJV).

So let’s glorify God in our lives and in the church and show the world that God does indeed dwell with us.