[Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations…from
everlasting to everlasting Psalm 90:1-2
During this season of reflection and renewal, join me, and let's
explore God’s Presence, our dwelling place. Are you dwelling in the presence of
God? ~ Donna Howell Oswalt]
The deepest longing
of the human heart and the deepest
meaning of heaven
and earth are summed up in this; the glory of God.
John Piper
[LORD says] “Take
courage … and work, for I am with you. As for the promise which I made you when
you came out of Egypt, ‘My Spirit is abiding in your midst; do not fear!’ … in
a little while I am going to shake the heavens and the earth… The latter glory
of this house will be greater than the former, and in this place I will give
peace.” Haggai
2:4-9 NASB
Shekinah, a Hebrew word meaning dwelling,
describes God’s visible presence in the world. Reference to God’s Glory, or His
dwelling place, merge with such physical manifestations as a burning bush, a
pillar of cloud, a pillar of fire, the Ark of the Covenant, the Tent of
Meeting, the Tabernacle, the Mercy Seat, the Most Holy Place. To fulfill His
plan to dwell with the people becomes the primary purpose of the Temple in the
Old Testament. Despite God’s protection and blessings for Israel, their
repeated disobedience creates destruction, and only emptiness remains when the
glory of God departs the Temple. Shekinah
Glory emphasizes God’s plan to dwell among His people and defines the intimate
relationship God desires with us.
After King Solomon dies in 931 BC, the United Kingdom of
Israel is divided into the Northern Kingdom (Israel) and the Southern Kingdom
(Judah). Prophets warn of destruction without obedience to the one true God. The
Assyrians conquer Israel, and Babylon will take the people of Judah into
captivity, destroying Jerusalem and the Temple in 586 BC. After 70 years, the
Jews begin their return to Jerusalem and to rebuild the Temple and the city of
Jerusalem. Prophets encourage the people
to focus on God. Working through His people, God says, “Take courage … and work, for I am with you,” but this time He offers
a future glory that will be greater.
The Messiah will become Shekinah glory,
God’s visible presence in the world. God
of Glory, find me wordless of such unimagined generosity and undeserved
grace. Count me alive in Christ. Let
Your presence dwell within me. - dho
All rights
reserved ~ used with permission of the author
Copyright 2014
by Donna Oswalt/Co-Founder of Mangrove Ministries/Christian blogger and author
For more information
about this ministry visit ~
“May you be
blessed by the Lord Who loves you best!”
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