God Our Dwelling Place

​Deuteronomy 33:27 ~ “The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms. And he thrust out the enemy before you and said, ‘Destroy.’”
 
Moses had come to the end of his labors in leading the people of Israel through the wilderness and back to the edge of the promised land. Soon, Joshua would take charge of the work and bring them over the Jordan River and conquer the land promised to them since the days of Abraham. Here, in Deuteronomy, chapter 33, Moses takes time to pronounce blessing upon the nation of Israel. Tribe, by tribe he speaks over them the prophetic word of the LORD concerning their future. But in the midst of his declarations, he also reveals far more than just their earthly habitation that will be theirs by the power of God. For all our earthly dwelling places are merely temporary, there is something far greater in store for the people of God.
 
As we consider our text for today, let us take a moment to understand this great and glorious promise: “The eternal God is your dwelling place.” We look so much to our temporary shelters in this world. We strive to be comfortable, careful to hold fast to that which will shelter us and give us peace. Many people stroll down memory lane as they reminisce on the places they used to dwell. There is nothing wrong with appreciating our earthly habitations. Even I have enjoyed going back to the old farmsteads and homes of my growing years, recalling former days with happiness. Certainly, Israel looked toward the promised land of Caanan with anticipation. But Moses reminded them that there is a greater life—an eternal one—to look upon. The Apostle Paul spoke of such a dwelling in 2 Corinthians 5:1, “For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.” Paul does not reference our homes built with wood and stone, but the habitation of this earthly body. For truly you do not merely exist in time and then are no more, but you have an eternal soul, a life that will outlive this mortal shell. So I ask: is God your eternal dwelling place? With all that would happen for Israel to receive the promised land, it was a clear reminder to them that the Almighty was their true habitation.
 
And, as God is the dwelling place of His people, He is also the one who upholds them. As our text for today states, “and underneath are the everlasting arms.” Girding up, holding all things, are the mighty arms of the LORD. They are “underneath.” That is, they are the support for Israel, the resting place for the people of God, and the sure security for all who place their faith in the LORD. And they are the “everlasting” arms. That is, from the days of antiquity to all future days that will come, the LORD will support His people. Paul understood the strengthening might of the LORD. We read in 2 Timothy 4:17, “But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion's mouth.” Despite the abandonment of friends and the persecutions from the world, Paul looked to the LORD for strength. Dear ones, we must do no less. If you belong to God in Christ, He will give you the strength you need to do what He commands. Even as the LORD gave strength to Israel as they obeyed in the promised land, so we will experience God’s sovereign arms holding us up as we strive in faithfulness with Him. 2 Chronicles 16:9 states, “For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him.”
 
As the LORD upholds His people, providing strength and support, the Almighty also provides deliverance from the enemy. Our text today closes with this thought, “And he thrust out the enemy before you and said, ‘Destroy’.” God drove out the inhabitants of Caanan as He led His people into the promised land. He thrust out the enemy and destroyed them. And someday the LORD will put away all who are enemies of those who belong to Christ. Revelation 20:10 says, “and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.” God Almighty will command His enemies to be destroyed—unable to corrupt His people ever again. Romans 16:20 declares, “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.” If you ever find yourself struggling against the enemy of God, trust that soon Jesus will destroy him.
 
God, dear Christian, is our dwelling place. He is our shelter, our strength, and our defender. He will do as He promised. Israel experienced it as they entered the promised land; you and I will as we walk with the LORD until we arrive at His everlasting home.
 
In His Grace,
Pastor Michael

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