After that, there was separation! When sin entered the world, it brought with it a gap between humans and God. But God did not abandon His people and leave them to fend for themselves. Instead, He still made ways to be present and available. How? I’m so glad you asked.

TABERNACLE. In Exodus 25:8-9, God told Moses, “Then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them. Make this tabernacle and all its furnishings exactly like the pattern I will show you.” He gave instructions for how to build a tabernacle, a movable tent, where He would meet with His people, the Israelite nation. As they journeyed from their Egyptian slavery, through the wilderness, and into the promised land, the people set up a tabernacle whenever they settled in a place for a while. And when they did, God met them there. 

CLOUD/FIRE. When the Israelites needed God to be near so He could guide them through the wilderness, He made Himself present through a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night.

TEMPLE. After Joshua had taken over (from Moses) as the Israelites’ leader and led the people into the promised land, God eventually instructed them to go ahead and build a more permanent place where He could dwell with them. In 1 Kings 6, He told King Solomon to build a temple. Solomon spent seven years constructing it to God’s exact specifications. When it was officially built, Solomon said to God, “I have indeed built a magnificent temple for you, a place for you to dwell forever” (1 Kings 8:13). And God did dwell there. 

However, when God dwelled in His people’s temple (and tabernacle), there were still rules and restrictions in place. Only certain priests (on certain days) could enter into the “Holy of Holies,” where the Ark of the Covenant was kept and which represented God’s presence. God was there, but it was almost as if He was at arm’s length from the majority of the people.

WORD BECAME FLESH. When Jesus was born as a baby, God literally took up residence here on earth. John 1:14 says, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” For 30-some years, Jesus, the Son of God, was physically present on the earth. He walked, talked, celebrated, mourned, questioned, taught, worked and lived with people. …with His family, friends, neighbors, community members, disciples and so many others He encountered. Can you imagine how cool it would have been to live with Jesus? …like actually live with Him? Wow, what an experience that must have been. 

HOLY SPIRIT. After Jesus’ birth, life, death and resurrection, He ascended into Heaven to reside again with His Father. But when He went up into the clouds, He did not just abandon us. While preparing His disciples for when He would physically leave them, He said in John 14:18, “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” How would He come to them (and us)? In the form of the Holy Spirit. The Holy spirit lives in the heart of every believer today. No longer do we need to find a high priest who can mark his calendar for that special day when he can enter the Most Holy Place to talk to God on our behalf. The Holy Spirit is in us always. Through the Spirit, God dwells with His people, and His people find comfort, wisdom and understanding. 

NEW JERUSALEM. The Holy Spirit living in us is absolutely incredible! What a gift. I cannot tell you how many times I’ve felt the tangible presence of the Spirit, and thus, the tangible presence of God in my life. But one day, it will get even better. When Jesus comes back to restore His perfect kingdom on earth, God will physically dwell with His people again, just like He used to with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Revelation 21:2-3 says, “I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.’” 

God’s master plan of redemption for the world has been fueled by His desire to dwell with His people—that’s you and me. Ever since His perfect fellowship with mankind was ruined when sin entered the world, He has been on a mission to get back to that original state of unbroken, unmarred relationship and togetherness. When you trace His presence through the timeline of history, it’s easy to see that He has always been there. Yes, His presence took on different formats. Yes, drawing near to Him sometimes required a little more effort than it does now. But He has always made a way to dwell with His people. 

Can you imagine what it will be like when God is literally walking among us again? Revelation 21 says that when that day comes, there will be no more pain, tears, sadness or death. Everything old will be wiped away, and a perfect newness will envelop believers everywhere. What a time that will be!

The next time you feel alone, abandoned or isolated, remember that God is with you. His Holy Spirit lives inside of you if you have invited Him into your heart. Close your eyes and take some time to trace the thread of His quest to be with you. He wants to be near you! And He will be near you if you ask Him to be.