Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place, no evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; for He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways. (Psalm 91:9-11)

Making God My Dwelling Place

When God created Adam and Eve, He placed them in the garden planted eastward in Eden. Everything the man and woman needed was provided. The first couple could eat of every tree in the garden except for the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. When God placed man in the garden, He enjoyed a close relationship with His creation as He walked together with them. After the fall of man, the tragedy of sin was what was lost between God and man. Adam and Eve heard the sound of God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they were afraid. They had not been scared before and had no reason to fear. Now, because of sin, Adam and Eve hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God.

Jesus Christ came to restore the fellowship between God and man. The Gentiles could not find peace as a law to themselves, and the Jews proved man could not redeem himself by keeping the Law. What was missing in the world was the communion and dwelling with the Father. Peace and happiness can never be found in the heart of man until he makes God his dwelling place. A dwelling place is a more permanent residence. There will never be a relationship between God and man until the human heart decides to dwell in the presence of the Almighty God.

Too often, followers of Jesus want to enjoy the blessings of eternal life as long as not much effort is required. They are willing to believe in Jesus but will not commit their lives to His word. A dwelling place is not a hotel where someone checks in with convenience. To dwell with God is to make a determined effort to be a permanent resident. What is lacking in the weakened spirit of many Christians is the full commitment to serve the Lord God with all the heart, soul, body, and mind. Bearing a cross is not carrying a toothpick in the back pocket. Jesus did not have a wheel on the cross He bore. He fully committed Himself to the will of the Father because His heart found its dwelling place in the Father.

The only safe refuge is to make the Most High a dwelling place. When that happens, and only when that happens, will the protection of the Almighty and the Heavenly Hosts surround the person’s spirit. God’s army is ready to defend those who make God their dwelling place. The blessings of the Father are only given to those children who dwell in the house of the Lord. God has promised to provide His power to fight against the influence of Satan. Jesus taught His disciples to pray for the protection of God against evil. Sin does not have dominion over those who dwell with God. Taking the armor of God will defeat the wiles of the devil. Dwelling with God requires wearing the right armament.

Dwelling with God brings faith to the struggling heart, knowing that all things work together for the good of God’s mercy and grace. Many saints suffered persecution and died for their faith in Jesus Christ. What the flames of persecution and the executioner’s blade could never diminish was where the heart of the person dwelt. When the heart has made the Most High his dwelling place on earth, the Most High will change that dwelling place near His bosom in the eternal kingdom of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Are you dwelling with God? Change your address if you have not made the Lord God your refuge and your dwelling place.