FAITH CAPSULE: Begin to enter and dwell in the presence of God.
Jeremiah 7
Are you entering and dwelling in the place of God?
Entering and dwelling in the place of God is rooted in how you amend your ways. Jeremiah spoke the word of God to the people of Judah that will also add to our understanding of what it means to enter and dwell in the place of worshiping God. Jeremiah 7:1-3, “The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying, ‘Stand in the gate of the LORD’s house, and proclaim there this word, and say, ‘Hear the word of the LORD, all you of Judah who enter in at these gates to worship the LORD! Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: ‘Amend your ways and your doings, and I will cause you to dwell in this place.’’” It does not matter how many hours you spend in the place of worship, or how long you have been entering your church building; it will not count if you are very active in the church but you are only entering on a regular basis without dwelling in the presence of God. The word of God through Jeremiah was not to those that do not come to worship but speaks to those that comes to worship as it pleases them not to please God. Does the word only apply to the people of Judah? Indeed, it was a direct message to the people of Judah, but it also directly communicates to us.
God wants us to amend our ways, not our excuses regarding to our ways entering and dwelling. It is about time to entering and dwelling in the place of worshiping God. What we need to do is trust God for the grace to begin to enter and dwell in His presence. God will help your desire to become deposited into your life. The Psalmist knew what he was asking for when he lifted his voice and asked God for his desire. Psalm 27:1-5, “One thing I have desired of the LORD, that will I seek: 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. For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; in the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock.”
David’s identity as a man after God’s own heart must be the evidence of his dwelling in the presence of God. As an acclaimed believer, will you make dwelling in the presence of God that will establish you as a man after God’s own heart? Dwelling and entering the presence of God is taking a positioned to be blessed.
Prayer for today: Ask God for the grace to be entering and dwelling in His presence.