The House that is Not Made by Hands

“Our fathers had the tent of witness in the wilderness, just as he who spoke to Moses directed him to make it, according to the pattern that he had seen. Our fathers in turn brought it in with Joshua when they dispossessed the nations that God drove out before our fathers. So it was until the days of David, who found favor in the sight of God and asked to find a dwelling place for the God of Jacob. But it was Solomon who built a house for him. Yet the Most High does not dwell in houses made by hands, as the prophet says, ‘Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build for me, says the Lord, or what is the place of my rest? Did not my hand make all these things?’” (Acts 7:44-50).

Stephen reminded his increasingly agitated audience that God has always wanted to live in the very midst of His people, but He could not dwell directly with them because of their sin. He provided Moses with details for a traveling house, a tent, in the wilderness. He gave Solomon instructions for a stationary house in Jerusalem, the capital city of their homeland. But neither of these houses could contain God because each of them vainly sought to restrict His presence to a place of meeting. God had a much better plan for His eventual house. It would be much more than a meeting place, it would be a place of never-ending intimate communion between the Father and His children. God’s house would be the hearts of His children, and such a place would be known as the house that is not made by hands.

The heart that is God’s home is His residing place. When God’s presence dwelt in the holiest place in the tabernacle and in the temple, His relationship with His children came through the annual visit of the high priest… “The priests go regularly into the first section, performing their ritual duties, but into the second only the high priest goes, and he but once a year, and not without taking blood, which he offers for himself and for the unintentional sins of the people. By this the Holy Spirit indicates that the way into the holy places is not yet opened as long as the first section is still standing” (Hebrews 9:6-8). These two temporary houses remind us of the great distance between our holy Father and us, His sinful children. Jesus Christ opened up the way into the presence of God by offering Himself as the atoning sacrifice for our sin… “Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water” (Hebrews 10:19-22). The heart that has been cleansed by Christ’s blood longs for intimate, growing fellowship with God because He has made it His residing place.

The heart that is God’s home is His resting place. At Calvary’s cross the sacrifice for sin was made and the work of redemption was finished… “When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, ‘It is finished,’ and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit” (John 19:30). We no longer have to strive for our father’s acceptance. We can live in confidence, resting in the finished work of Christ, as we prepare for eternity in our promised land, heaven… “So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from his” (Hebrews 4:9-10). The heart that has trusted in Christ as Savior is a place of peace and He has made it His resting place.

The heart that is God’s home is His ruling place. With the words… “Heaven is My throne and the earth is My footstool”, the Lord reminds us of His sovereignty over every square inch of His creation… “He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell” (Colossians 1:18-19). There is tremendous comfort and peace for those who trust and submit to God’s rule, and it begins in the heart that He has made His ruling place.

As we grow up into Christ, we enjoy increasing fellowship with Him as God has made our heart to be…

The House that is Not Made by Hands.