Stephen spoke this morning on the subject ‘Where is God?’ In today’s society, people may wonder where God is in all the turmoil, killings, war, unrest and brokenness we see in the world. The answers to this question are found in the Bible.
In Genesis, we are introduced to God. God is seen in the Garden of Eden, having fellowship with Adam and Eve (Gen 3:8-9). God’s very presence was with mankind, walking with Adam and Eve in the Garden, indicating a close relationship which meant people lived with an awareness of God’s presence. However, sin caused man to hide from God’s presence, and since the innocence and bliss of Eden, there has been both a longing for God and a desire to escape from Him in men’s hearts.
Ex 40:34 shows us that God’s presence with His people in the Old Testament was fixed in a specific place, with mankind unable to approach God directly because of sin. God was still there, but at a distance: only the high priest could enter the Holy of Holies once a year; there was a thick curtain separating man from God. This curtain was torn from top to bottom when Jesus died (Matt 27:51), indicating that the barrier between God and man was removed and we are now free to enter God’s presence through the blood of Jesus.
God is no longer dwelling in a temple or building alone, however. Now, He lives within His children. 1 Cor 3:6-17 makes it explicit that we are God’s house; we are God’s field; we are His building and we are God’s temple. God’s Spirit now resides within us; we are God’s dwelling-place. The answer to the question ‘Where is God?’ is not just the theological fact that God is everywhere, but the revolutionary truth that He is there with us, Immanuel, walking with us, helping us, dwelling within us.
