What Does it Mean to Dwell in the Lord?

Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. He wanted to see who Jesus was, but being a short man he could not, because of the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way. When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, ‘Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.’ So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.”

Luke 19:1-6

Recently, in the wee hours of the morning I read the story of Zacchaeus from Luke 19:1-6. As I read this passage I thought of a song I used to sing in Sunday School as a child.

“Zacchaeus was a wee little man, a wee little man was he. He climbed up in the sycamore tree to see what he could see. Jesus saw him way up in the tree and said, ‘Zacchaeus, you come down right out of that tree, for I’m going to your house today.'”

Just in case you don’t know, I’m a short person just like Zacchaeus – I dare say standing at 4’11” I’m probably shorter than Zacchaeus.

Way too often I become impatient like Zacchaeus. I strive hard to see what God is up to. I want to see how God is working. In my attempt to see what God is doing, I run ahead of Him and climb my own tree hoping to see God’s bigger view from on high.

But here’s the problem, I’m not God and I’m not suppose to see the bigger view. He knows the plans He has for me; my job is to trust Him to reveal those plans in His time.

Climbing down out of my tree

As I read the words of Luke 19:1-6 I felt Jesus calling me down out of the tree I climbed so that He can walk with me and be with me in my house. Luke’s words reminded me that Jesus wants to spend time with me on a personal level – walking with me, eating with me, living with me, dwelling with me – as he provides His daily manna.

Dwelling, oh what a word. God wants to dwell with me on a daily basis so that he can give me His Daily Manna. But it’s not just me He wants to dwell with on a daily basis. He wants to dwell with you too.

I know you are probably saying, “Sure Mary, God wants to dwell with me on a daily basis but what in the world does that mean and what does it look like?”

The Lord Desires to Dwell with Us

In Exodus 25:8 we read, “Then have them make a Sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them.” In this passage we see the Lord giving Moses instructions to build the tabernacle as the Israelites journeyed from Mount Sinai to the promised land. The Lord desired to be with the Israelites. Building the tabernacle provided a place for the Lord’s Presence to dwell in order for Him to be with His people. The Lord proved Himself faithful as His Presence filled the tabernacle.

Just as the Lord desired to dwell with the Israelites he also desires to dwell with us. But there is a vast difference between us and the Israelites. Because the Lord gave us the gift of salvation through His Son Jesus Christ, we have been given the gift of the presence of the Holy Spirit within us. We do not need to build a tabernacle in order for the Lord to dwell with us.

Dwelling with the Lord

Because we have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, when we focus on the Lord through reading His Word, rejoicing in who He is, prayer, and giving thanks daily we dwell with Him.

Reading God’s Word

So, what does dwelling with the Lord on a daily basis look like?

For me, it looks like reading a chapter out of His Word each morning. I take the time to journal verses that stand out to me and note what God says to me in those verses.

I ask the Lord these questions.

• Lord, what do you want me to know about you in what I’ve read this morning?
• How are you speaking to my heart through your word?
• Is there an area of my life you are asking me to make a change?
• In what way can I know you better through this passage?

Rejoice Always, Pray Continually, Give Thanks

I have also started using 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 as a guide for my prayer time.

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

While I pray many times throughout the day, I journal the first prayers of my day. During this time of prayer I follow the example found in 1 Thessalonians.

• Rejoice Always – Each morning I start by praying through an attribute of God. I rejoice in Who He is. He is Righteous, Holy, Faithful, Worthy, Great Physician, Provider, Comforter. The list goes on and on. I write out a prayer rejoicing in Who God revealed Himself to be to me the day before and how I hope to experience Him in the day ahead.
• Pray Continually – This is my time of supplication and prayer for my family and personal needs.
• Give Thanks – I close my prayer time thanking God for the many ways He answered prayers, blessed me with His Presence and provided daily manna the day before.

Receiving God’s Daily Manna

Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.

Psalm 90:14

As we spend time in God’s Word daily He fills us with His Presence and gives us just what we need each day by giving us His daily manna. In Psalm 90:14 Moses prays and asks the Lord to “Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love”. He is asking the Lord to give new life to the Israelites and to show is steadfast, unfailing love. Just as the Lord fulfilled His promise to the Israelites, He will fulfill His promise to us as we daily seek His Presence.

The Lord is asking you to climb down out of your tree in order for Him to spend time with you on a personal level – walking with you, eating with you, living with you, dwelling with you – as he provides His daily manna. The perfect way for you to begin dwelling with Him is to start your morning reading His Word and in prayer.

Simple Challenge

My challenge to you is to simply start tomorrow morning by gathering your journal, Bible and pen and read the first chapter of the Book of Psalm. Pray through the questions above and write down what the Lord reveals to you. Then spend time in prayer using the steps above. This doesn’t have to take long. On average I spend 30 minutes in my morning quiet time. I promise, it’s doable. All you have to do is to show up with an open heart that longs to dwell in the presence of God and He will be there with you.

Dear Lord, My heart longs to dwell in your presence as I rejoice always, pray continually and give thanks in all circumstances. With open hands and heart I long to dwell in your presence and receive your daily manna. In Jesus Name I Pray, Amen.

In His Calm,