Where Does God Dwell?
As we wrap our week looking at the household of God, let me share a story which I once heard, and I'm sure you've heard it before.
A Boy's Innocent Mix-Up: Where Is God?
A young boy wandered into the local church one afternoon and saw candles burning everywhere. Thinking it must be Jesus' birthday party, he happily sang "Happy Birthday" while going around blowing all the candles out.
The pastor then walked in, and discovered his candles extinguished! But he spotted the boy leaving and decided that this was a good opportunity to teach him a lesson in respect. He went to the boy's house and asked to speak with him about something very serious.
Once they were alone, the pastor fixed his gaze on the child and asked sternly, "Young man, where is God?"
The boy's eyes widened, but he stayed silent.
"Where is God?" the pastor repeated, more firmly.
The boy looked increasingly worried but still said nothing.
"Tell me - where is God?" the pastor thundered.
At that, the terrified boy bolted upstairs to his mother, and cried out in terror, "Mom! The church has lost God and they think I took Him!"
God's Household: Where He Truly Dwells
No, the answer to 'where is God?' is not 'in the church building!' The household of God is not the building! It's not the temple, or the tabernacle, and not even in a physical body anymore.
He dwells within us who believe! With Him in us, we have an awesome responsibility - to conduct ourselves in a way that honours Him, to stand for our convictions, as the pillar and foundation of the truth, and to know Him as our cornerstone, and nothing else.
Home is where the heart is! God's heart is among His people.
Let's faithfully live as His people now and always.
A boy's innocent mix-up about a birthday party for Jesus points to a bigger truth: God's household was never a building, but the hearts of His people.