“And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.’” Revelation 21:3 (NIV)
In our world, people sort themselves into circles. The admired stay with the admired. The overlooked are often left out. We form invisible lines between who belongs and who does not, and most of us have felt what it is like to be on the outside looking in.
That is why this verse is so staggering. God wants to be with us. God Almighty, awesome beyond comprehension, creator and sustainer of all things, wants to be with itty bitty you and me. He is not distant or cold. He is not just tolerating us. He is choosing us. Not only that, but this desire to dwell with us becomes part of His name. Immanuel. God with us.
From the very beginning, God’s heart has been to live in close relationship with His people. In the garden, He walked with Adam and Eve. In the wilderness, He moved with the people in a tent. In Jesus, He came in flesh to walk among us. And in the end, He will once again make His home with us, face to face.
Why would He do this? Why would the holy God of the universe long to be with people like us? Because He loves us. Because He made us for this. We were created to live life with Him, not apart from Him. It is not just heaven we are made for. It is Him.
God, help us to receive this truth with wonder. Help us not to push you to the edges of our lives. Let us treasure the gift of your presence and learn to live every day with you.