28 January | EVERYONE
"And let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them." Exodus 25: 8
God always goes after human beings. Sin turned them away from Him, but it never caused God to turn away from them. In the Garden of Eden, the Lord sought out the poor fallen creature and found it guilt-laden, hidden among the trees, and called out to them.
Centuries later in the wilderness, the Lord continued to seek and call His children. He commanded Moses to build a sanctuary for Him. God's purpose was to be in the midst of His people. The sanctuary shows that God seeks the sinner in order to restore him and bring him back to the love relationship that sin destroyed. The Hebrew word translated "to dwell" has the sense of "to establish permanent residence in a community."
For this reason, the sanctuary was set up in the midst of the congregation; thus, evidencing that God desires to dwell in the midst of His people. Not on the margins, not on the sides, not at the entrance, not at the exit, but in the middle: in the heart. He wants to be the center of His child's experience.
Why? Does he feed on worship? That would be selfishness. Dictators want the entire world to revolve around them. With God, things are different. His motives are born out of love. He wants to be the center of His children's experience because one day they left His hands and will only be complete and fulfilled when they return to Him. Far from God, human beings only create difficulties for themselves and for those around them. Only in God, and with God, can they be fulfilled and happy.
Take Action
Invite God today to be the center of your life, let Him enter it, let Him dwell forever in your heart, let your body be His permanent sanctuary, and let your being radiate His Presence. Sing "The Sanctuary" (if possible, with your family).