Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their Lord. – Revelation 21:3
In these COVID times, major upheavals mar the landscape of businesses, schools, churches, and households. Many decisions revolving around the virus have resulted in some good things happening, but lockdowns, and related times in seclusion, isolation, and general “aloneness” have had significant negative effects on the people involved.
At the beginning of time, when God created the Heavens and the Earth and all life in it, He announced that “It is not good that the man should be alone,” and thus, God formed woman as Adam’s helper and companion (Genesis 2:18-23). God created the Garden for their work and pleasure, and He walked in their presence. He dwelt in the midst of Israel when He marked their path with a pillar of fire, and He enveloped the Tabernacle in the wilderness as a cloud (Exodus 13:21-22; 33:9).
Then came Jesus, “Immanuel (which means, God with us),” fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah (Matthew 1:23). The Son of God lived among the people. It is appropriate and joyful to celebrate His coming; it is even more fitting to sing praises to Him for the extreme sacrifice He made to save all people. Pray the scoffers of this nation would turn from their unbelief to the Savior.
The believer, on the other hand, anticipates “the unspeakable beauty of eternal bliss [when] God will live in our midst, as our own God… and highest source of joy and satisfaction.” You may be separated from others, but pray that you, and all others in this nation, stand assured of God’s presence now and into 2021. The promise that He will be with you always still holds true.
Today’s Verse: Revelation 21:3
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Revelation 21:1-7
21 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
5 And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” 6 And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. 7 The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
