The Tabernacle

 The Tabernacle - Where God Lives

  In Hebrew, the word "tabernacle" means "dwelling place" or "residence."

  It refers to the portable sanctuary carried by the Israelites, which the LORD directed Moses to build. Read about it, in glorious detail, in Exodus 35-38. Later the Temple became the permanent sanctuary. But in the wilderness, as they traveled, they used the tabernacle.

  Where is God's dwelling place now? He lives in us -- our heart is His tabernacle!

   During the wilderness wanderings there came a wonderful moment. God had instructed Moses to build a tabernacle in which He could dwell. Once the project was complete, the majestic cloud, which hovered over them, descended and entered the Holy Place. From that moment on every child of Israel could point to the tabernacle and say, God is there!" Read about that in Exodus 40:34-38.

  Now gesture to your heart and say "God in here!"  On the day you decided to follow Jesus, an unseen miracle occurred. The Holy Spirit descended from the heavens, and stopped directly over your body. He took up residence in you. He turned your heart  into His tabernacle. Paul described it in Ephesians 3 -- "That God  may grant you, through His Spirit, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith." Or another version says, "That Christ may settle down and be at home in your hearts by faith."

  1 Corinthians 3:16 says: "Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple?"

  Without question, one of our most remarkable  Christian doctrines is that Jesus Christ Himself, through the Holy Spirit, will actually enter a heart and and make it His home. And He will live in any heart that welcomes Him!

  Have you invited Him in? Have you welcomed Him?

"Come into my heart, Lord Jesus, there is room in my heart for Thee!"