I Found Out Where God Lives! Do You Know Where?

By Dennis Edwards

Do you know where God lives? I think most people would say in Heaven. But is that the only place?  The other day as I was reading in the Bible, I came across God’s habitation, where He lives. Let's take a look at what the Good Book says.

In Isaiah it says, “For thus says the high and lofty One that inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.”[1] What does that mean? It seems to be saying that although the God of the universe dwells in eternity, or what we might call Heaven or the spiritual dimension, He also dwells in the heart of a humble person. 

In Psalms, David prays, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise. For thou desires not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offerings. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.”[2] Here we see that the sacrifice that God wants is for us to be broken, humble people.

In another Psalm it says, “God dwells in the praises of his people.”[3] And elsewhere we read, “I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and I will call upon the name of the Lord.”[4] “I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving. This also shall please the Lord better than an ox or bullock that hath horns or hoofs.”[5] Here we see that God dwells in our thanksgiving and praise. Like Nick Vijucic said, “I never saw a bitter person who was thankful, or a thankful person who was bitter.”

So what does all that teach us? It means that God dwells in a broken, humble heart. He dwells in a thankful, praiseful heart. Has your heart been broken by disappointment, by failure, by the lack of love of others, by the seemingly bad circumstances of your life? Take heart, be thankful. God loves you and is near to those of a broken heart. 

Paul tells us, “God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwells not in temples made with hands; neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed anything, seeing he gives to all life, and breath, and all things; and has made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; that they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: for in him we live, and move, and have our being.”[6]

Are you trying to do good and love others, but things don’t seem to have worked out for you? Don’t fret. God’s word says, “The righteous cry, and the Lord hears; and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saves such as be of a contrite spirit.”[7] Keep trusting in the Lord. Keep doing good. Keep being thankful.

Keep being humble and broken, not bitter. For He has promised, if you commit your way unto Him and trust also in Him, that He will bring His good will to pass.[8] Or like it says in the easy to read version of Jeremiah 29:11, “I say this because I know the plans that I have for you.” This message is from the Lord. “I have good plans for you. I don’t plan to hurt you. I plan to give you hope and a good future.”[9]

And if you have yet to enter into personal relationship with Jesus and you hear Him knocking at the door to your heart, just open up and let Him in. He says, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man or woman, child or young person, hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he or she with me.”[10]

He’s better than Mr. Clean and will renew your heart and mind and give you joy unspeakable. It’s just that simple. He’s just that wonderful. Try Him. You won’t be disappointed.

Notes:

[1] Isaiah 57:15
[2] Psalm 51: 10, 15-17
[3] Psalm 22:3 “But thou art holy, O thou that inhabits the praises of Israel.”
[4] Psalm 116:17
[5] Psalm 69: 30,31
[6] Acts 17: 24-28
[7] Psalm 34: 17, 18
[8] Psalm 37: 5
[9] Jeremiah 29:13 Easy-to-Read Version (ERV) Copyright © 2006 by Bible League International
[10] Revelation 3:20