Deuteronomy 12
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Deuteronomy 12:4-7, You must not worship the Lord your God in their way. But you are to seek the place the Lord your God will choose from among all your tribes to put his Name there for his dwelling. To that place you must go; there bring your burnt offerings and sacrifices, your tithes and special gifts, what you have vowed to give and your freewill offerings, and the firstborn of your herds and flocks. There, in the presence of the Lord your God, you and your families shall eat and shall rejoice in everything you have put your hand to, because the Lord your God has blessed you.
After commanding the removal and destruction of idols, we now move on to where and how God must be worshiped. The worship of the one true God was to look very different from the worship of pagan idols. It was to be in a place chosen by God himself. It was to be in one place alone and there God would take up residence. This would be God's tabernacle, his temple, among his people.
Throughout the Old Testament, God dwells in a specific place. His presence is found in the tabernacle and then eventually the temple in Jerusalem. Obviously, God is omnipotent and can be everywhere all at once. But for his people, that specific place was holy. It was a beautiful picture of God's presence among them. When Jesus came, he became the temple. He was the very presence of God. Once Jesus ascended to heaven, the Holy Spirit was given to the church. Now, the presence of God resided within the people. If you have said yes to Jesus, then the Spirit of the Living God lives within you!
I find it amazing and spectacular how God continues to do a new thing among his people. Now, we can definitely say that the presence of God is here with us. We don't have to go to a specific building. God's presence is closer than our very breath. There is no place we can go where God's presence is not.
Let's pray...Lord Jesus, We thank you and give you praise. You are with us on the mountains and in the valleys. You are with us right now as we read this devotional. No matter where we are, you are there. Thank you for your ever steady and faithful presence. We love you. Amen.