A DWELLING PLACE FOR THE ALMIGHTY

King David knew that the problems of man started when man allowed himself to be emptied of God.  This was what led the sweet Psalmist of Israel to pray in Psalm 132.  Verses 1 to 5 of this Psalm state, 'LORD, remember David And all his afflictions;  How he swore to the Lord, And vowed to the Mighty One of Jacob: ''Surely I will not go into the chamber of my house, Or go up to the comfort of my bed;  I will not give sleep to my eyes Or slumber to my eyelids, Until I find a place for the Lord, A dwelling place for the Mighty One of Jacob.''

Some people may begin to wonder: How could man have been emptied of God?  You will recall, according to the book of Genesis, that when Adam was created, the part which became his body was a lifeless lump of clay.  Please, also remember that it was only after God breathed into the lifeless clay that man came alive.  However, you must take note that there were two parts to this life that man had at the time.  One part was physical animation which enabled him to move around and to do things physically.  The other part was the spiritual life which enabled him to be in close fellowship with God and thus be able to do God's will. 

We can also recall that man lost this spiritual life when he was tricked to rebel against the Word of God in the garden of Eden.  So, when we say that man was emptied of God, it was this spiritual life of God that man was emptied of even though he could still move around and do things physically.  This is what is commonly referred to as the fall of man as it caused man to descend into spiritual darkness.

However, there was no doubt that, in Psalm 132, David was referring to the place prepared for the Ark of the Covenant.  This was why he said in verse 6 of the Psalm, 'Behold, we heard of it in Ephrathah; We found it in the fields of the woods.''

Certainly, we know that the place where God really wants to dwell in is our hearts.  God does not dwell in a house made with hands.  The Lord said in verse 14 of the Psalm, ''This is My resting place forever; Here I will dwell, for I have desired it.''  The Almighty, in Proverbs 23 verse 26, also states, ''My son, give me your heart, And let your eyes observe my ways.''  Again, the Lord says in Revelation 3 verse 20, ''Behold, I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.''

Our response to the Almighty should be like that of David in verse 8, 'Arise, O Lord, to Your resting place, You and the ark of Your strength.'

This means we need to repent of all our sins and be born of God.  This means we need to be born of His Word and His Spirit.  We must then continually live for Him.