One of my favorite scriptures is the life of the Shunammite in II Kings chapter 4. The message God brought to me from this reading is the power of habitation. In reading the first few verses you find a picture of the prophet coming and staying with this woman’s household for the night as he passed through. But when you continue reading you discover that she wanted more than an occasional nightly visit. She understood that in those days the prophet represented the Presence of God. In her heart she wanted the “Presence” to feel comfortable enough to stay for periods of time.
She made careful plans in preparing the room. She placed everything in that room the prophet could want to be comfortable. She wanted him to know that preparation had been made for him, not a casual throwing together of items.
She paints a picture of me as part of the Body of Christ. I realize more every day how much I need the Presence of God to take up noticeable habitation in my heart. No longer does a wonderful worship time or powerfully presented message fill the hunger in my soul. Nothing but the presence of the Almighty God will do. I can no longer live with HIM coming for a visit when I am especially delighted with HIM or in such great need that I can’t live without HIS presence. He can satisfy those types with a visit. No, I want to live a life that is fully inhabited by HIS Presence, 24/7/365.
In order to have that experience I have to be diligent about preparing a place for HIM to dwell. I have to be willing to move some things out of my heart and mind. They may not be necessarily evil but they are not expedient in developing my heart for HIS habitation. I need to place in that area of my heart things HE can use to develop a continuous relationship with me.
Jesus promised those who hunger and thirst will be filled. If you find your heart empty begin filling it with those things you know will attract HIM. Such as a desire for purity in your worship and integrity in your service and holiness in your actions and commitment in your decisions. A desire to read the Bible in an effort the truly and deeply find the Author and not just to learn a new fact or find the next Sunday school lesson. A calling out in your soul to be made in HIS image. To have a longing to move about the earth with the same strength and intimacy with the FATHER Jesus had.
Hope to see you in the Tea Room soon.