Once redeemed from Egypt, Israel was commanded by God through Moses, “Let them construct a sanctuary for Me, that I may dwell among them” (Exod. 25:8). The tabernacle, and later the temple, was God’s special dwelling place among His people. There the Lord manifested Himself in the cloud of glory (40:34-35).

God’s gracious presence in the tabernacle and His guidance of His people fulfilled His covenant promise: “I will make My dwelling among you, and My soul will not reject you. I will also walk among you and be your God, and you shall be My people” (Lev. 26:11-12).

King David gloried in God’s special presence in the tabernacle. “How blessed is the one whom You choose and bring near to You to dwell in Your courts. We will be satisfied with the goodness of Your house, Your holy temple” (Ps. 65:4-5). David longed to spend time with the Lord in His house. “How lovely are Your dwelling places, O Lord of hosts! My soul longed and even yearned for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh sing for joy to the living God” (Ps. 84:1-2).

There it was that David sought the face of God. “One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I shall seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord and to meditate in His temple.…When You said, ‘Seek My face,’ my heart said to You, ‘Your face, O Lord, I shall seek’” (Ps. 27:4, 8).

Yet, God is present everywhere. “If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there” (Ps. 139:8, KJV). However, God manifests Himself differently in different places at different times. He is indeed present in heaven in manifest love. He is present in hell in great wrath and fury. The tabernacle was a special place of God’s gracious presence, which displayed God’s mercy in Christ through regular sacrifices. There, God’s covenant promises were affected, and there, God’s people received the assurance of their Lord, “I will be your God, and you shall be My people.”

Today, the temple of God is formed by God’s people assembled for worship. The New Testament states, “We are the temple of the living God” (2 Cor. 6:16). The Apostle Peter declares, “You also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (1 Pet. 2:5). Our spiritual sacrifices are the praise we offer with our hearts and lips. “Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name” (Heb. 13:15).

What does God promise as we gather in His gracious presence to offer praise to Him for salvation through Jesus Christ? “I will dwell in them and walk among them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people” (2 Cor. 6:16). God promises to renew us in His covenant. God promises to assure you that you belong to Him.

Perhaps you need personal renewal in your faith and love for Christ. Perhaps you lack assurance of salvation. Perhaps you need the renewed love and embrace of your Savior. Seek the Lord in public worship. Especially in public worship, God promises to meet with you, to renew you in His covenant of grace, and to assure you, “I am your God; you are Mine; you belong to Me.”

—Dennis J. Prutow, ReformedVoice.org/rptsprof