Photo Credits
Ron Giangiacomo
Psalm 114:1-2
“When Israel left Egypt, when the family of Jacob left a foreign nation behind, 2 Judah became his sanctuary, Israel His Kingdom.”
1 Corinthians 3:16
“Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?”
Psalm 115:1
“Not to us, O LORD, not to us! But to Your name bring honor, for the sake of your loyal love and faithfulness.”
How humbling and amazing it is that the God of this universe would choose to dwell in us. And for what purpose would a perfect, Holy Being elect to dwell in a sinful vessel? His glory and relationship. Amazing love and grace. It is his indwelling that makes us Holy and restores our relationship with Him.
What a beautiful picture it is of the Israelites, choosing to accept the deliverance of God and leaving behind Egypt and all of its hardship and trappings. It took faith, for sure, to trust in God to deliver them – their enemy was so powerful. But that faith was met with a glorious fulfillment in which His people became His sanctuary. Imagine if they accepted the deliverance from God but still wanted to serve the gods of Egypt – would God condone such an action? Sound familiar?
We, too, were called to come out and be separate – to leave our former way of life and walk in a new abundant life. We cannot remain unchanged, we cannot take the sinful traditions around us and think God will wink at that. When the Holy indwells the unholy, it is to redeem and change us forever, it is to purchase us from a dead way of living, and we are no longer our own. The things of this world which we would cling to in ignorance, only serve to hinder the transformation that Christ is accomplishing in those who are fully surrendered to Him.
Without His indwelling, we would merely be trying to follow laws, which we can never fully achieve. With His indwelling, God is able to convict us of sin and cause us to walk in His statutes. What a miracle that is – formerly we had no concern for obeying God, then suddenly our hearts desire to do His will. Praise God!
Ultimately, this radical love expressed in such a sacrificial salvation was all for His glory. We are the benefactors but also the mirrors which reflect His glory. He, being manifest and represented in each of us Who have accepted His free gift, restores to us once again what it is to be made in His image.
Lord, thank You for saving us! Thank you for Your mighty deliverance! Help us to not use this freedom to indulge the flesh by compromising and still living like we did when you saved us. The cost was high and may we never take Your salvation for granted.