Pastor Dr. Abraham ObadareA dwelling place is where one lives (habitation, house, home) or where one returns to after the day’s work or journey. It is the place where one returns to for rest and run to for refuge. If it seems acceptable that dwelling place means my house or my place of rest and refuge, then I will claim that the Lord (Jesus) is my house, habitation, dwelling and place of rest and refuge – citing the Psalmist who says “Lord, you have been our dwelling place in generations” (Psalm 90:1 NRSV). Further, since everyone is usually very familiar with his or her house (dwelling places), I will contend in this article that we ought also to be familiar with the Lord Jesus (our dwelling place). As your house is never too far for you to go, so it is that you should know that Jesus is not a far God somewhere unreachable or separated from you. You need to see your Jesus as a Savior who is close to you.
In a house, everything needed is available; and so it is in Jesus – you find all you need:
There in a dwelling place (house) is kitchen for eating and so in Jesus you find bread of life (Jn. 6:35). Living room is in the house for relaxation; in Jesus you find peace of mind (Isa. 53:5). There is bathroom in a house where we clean up; also in Jesus we find cleansing for our sins (1 Jn. 1:7-9). Bedroom is there in a house where we rest; glory be to God, in Jesus you find rest, grace and rejuvenation (Mat. 11:29). The house is always there at the same location; Jesus is stable: the same yesterday, today and forever more. The walls of a house protect it from weather and various other dangerous conditions. Jesus is our shield and protector from all dangers of lie. You are the one who must remain in this dwelling place in order to enjoy all provisions that are made available in Him.
Please note, you do not have to own a physical house for Jesus to be your dwelling place. Psalm 90 is actually a prayer said by Moses, a man who led his people in the wilderness. They had no permanent physical place to live; only movable tents, yet he saw God as their dwelling place. This is to say, you may have problems, but if you have Jesus, you have bread, peace, forgiveness and rest. If you have Jesus, you have a hiding place in God.
Do you see Jesus as a God you can run to anytime? No one needs to show you where your kitchen or bedroom is; no one needs to cajole you to feel secure in Jesus. “For in him we live, and move, and have our being; …” – Acts 17:28. In Jesus you find security, this is why David says in Psalm 91:1 that, “He who dwells in the secret place of the most high shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty …” Have you found a friend in Jesus? Now is the time to take Him as your friend, become familiar with Him as you know every corner of your physical house. Seek to know Jesus and the power that raised Him form the dead. He is not far from you and you can trust him to give you rest now and forever. Jesus, our dwelling place in all generations.
