Dwelling with God – God resides where ever God’s people are ! The Journey Begins –

Dwelling with God – The Journey Begins

The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood. We saw the glory with our own eyes, the one-of-a-kind glory, like Father, like Son, Generous inside and out,    true from start to finish. John 1:14 (the Message)

After this last weekends focus on the Tabernacle of God being built in the center of life for the people of Israel and considering that we each of us are the “dwelling place” of God. My Spirit is desiring to take me deeper into this personal relationship with God being present with me but more importantly me being present with God. We would think it would be easy. That the God, the one true God, Father and creator of all things who sends His only begotten Son to be our way to eternal salvation while leaving with us and breathing into us the Holy Spirit would bring us to a place that we never want to leave. But we do, leave I mean the place that we are in direct personal one on one, face to face, relationship with God because of other things. Everybody’s thing is different, but it happens and requires seeking forgiveness that leads to holy redemption to experience God to the fullest.

I have always been caught and drawn to the words of the Message from John 1:14 “The Word became flesh and blood and moved into the neighborhood.” Really makes it kind of personal and present. That God choose to live and be right where we are. Right here – wherever we are, who ever we are, and how ever we are. That God is choosing through sending Jesus to become fully human while remaining fully God to live right in the middle of our mess.

While going through some old journals recently, I came across three Hebrew words written in the margin of a page: Rak, Chazak, Amats. At the time I had written them down, they were clearly important, but I could not immediately remember why. Next to those words was a single Scripture reference: Joshua 1:9. “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”(NIV)

So I paused. I listened. I prayed.

Rak speaks of a heart that is soft, tender, or weary.

Chazak calls us to be strong and firmly grounded.

Amats  urges us toward courage—bold obedience in the face of uncertainty.

Together, these words form a movement of faith. God acknowledges human weakness, strengthens the heart, and then calls His people to move forward with courage. That is exactly what Joshua 1:9 does—it names fear, commands strength, and anchors courage in the promise of God’s presence.

Spending time with God requires more than words spoken. Being the dwelling place of God certainly requires more that we sometimes are not ready to commit to. Like with any physical structure it requires maintenance. It requires listening. It requires space for prayer, reflection, and honest response.  

Over the next few days I want to invite you to serious consider what a relationship the way God desires might be, might look like. Encourage you to set up a holy place, a sanctuary, a dwelling place, where only you and God can reside. A place deep in the corners of your soul where honesty exist, where excuses are dealt with and where your life will change.

I don’t want to rush you, but this is something that I know and I feel the Holy Spirit speaking into me that we all need.

I will also invite you to pray with me every day our opening prayer from last weekend’s worship –

Holy and living God,

You are not distant or detached. You are the God who draws near, who walks with Your people (with me)  who chooses to dwell among us (in me). Open our (my) hearts today to understand what it truly means to make room for You. Remove what crowds You out. Shape us (me) into a people who welcome Your holy presence—not just in this place, but in our lives. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Prayerfully written by Pastor Calvin Cook on February 9, 2026 in a hotel room in Lavonia MI –