TABERNACLE IN THE MIDST

TABERNACLE IN THE MIDST (Num 2:17): Keeping the
tabernacle always in our midst assures us that God will ever be the central
habitation of His people, and He will settle His rest and residence among us.
(9-24-11)



However, we must understand how it is that He dwells
among us. He dwells with us in His general presence and in His special
presence. His general presence is in all
places; His special presence is in His Church. His general presence speaks of
His power; His special presence speaks of His grace and love to us. There is a
common manner of God's being everywhere, and in all things, by His essence;
there is a special way of God's being present, as that which is loved is
present in him that loves (Joh 14:23). God wanted Israel to understand that in
this special presence He would dwell with them (Lev 26:11-12). He wants to
dwell with us in that same way today.



God wants to be joined unto us in the person of Jesus
Christ (Emmanuel—God with us). For that purpose we are made members of His body
(Eph 1:22-23). And as we go forth under His
commission He is always with us to the end of the world (Mat 28:20). When we
were baptized into Christ we put on Christ (Gal 3:27). When we partake of His
body and blood He dwells in us and we in Him (Joh 6:54-56; 1Co 10:15-16). We
are a branch through which the life of the vine flows as we abide in Him and He
abides in us (Joh 15:4).


Kelsey Griffin