Genesis - Day 11

Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?”

Genesis 3:8-9

I’ve been following the English Premier League (football/soccer) team, Arsenal, for decades. I watched them through one of their most productive periods when the coach, Arsene Wenger, managed one of the greatest teams in history. He was a philosopher-coach, wise, cultured, thoughtful, engaging and so much more. What it would have been to just hang out with him, face to face.

What must it have been to dwell with God? To go for a walk with the God of the universe. To get to ask Him questions. This is what God created us for. To dwell with Him. What an incredible thing.

Now, we know where this goes in Genesis 3. God can no longer dwell with man because of their sin. But God’s purpose, to be present with His people, has never faded.

He achieves His ultimate purpose in something like stages. 

• Stage 1 - He dwells amongst Israel in the tabernacle and later the temple (Leviticus 26:11). 
• Stage 2 - God comes to dwell amongst us in Jesus Christ (John 1:14). 
• Stage 3 - Jesus sends His Spirit to dwell in His people (1 Corinthians 3:16).
• Stage 4 - We are raised to dwell with God forever (Revelation 21:3)

Now that all sounds good and a bit mechanical. But consider a bit more deeply. If you trust in Christ, right now, God is dwelling in you through His Spirit. God… is with you. And, you will get to dwell with God forever. 

The infinitely wise, infinitely powerful, infinitely complex, infinitely good and ultimately infinitely glorious God. What a wonder that will be.

For Today:

• Who is one person you would love to spend time with?
• Do you see that God dwells in you now?
• Reflect on what it will be like to dwell with God forever.

Pray:

• Praise the Father for His grace, that He made us to dwell with Him. 
• Give thanks for Christ who came and dwelt among us that we might return to God. 
• Ask God for His Holy Spirit might come to dwell in the life of unbelievers close to you.