When God Dwells Among His People

Exodus 25:8–9 (ESV)

“And let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell in their midst. Exactly as I show you concerning the pattern of the tabernacle, and of all its furniture, so you shall make it.”

Exodus 25 begins the instructions for the tabernacle.

God has delivered His people from Egypt. He has brought them through the Red Sea. He has provided for them in the wilderness. He has brought them to Mount Sinai, given them His covenant, and called them to be His treasured possession.

Now God gives instructions for a sanctuary.

And the purpose is beautiful.

God says that they are to make Him a sanctuary so that He may dwell in their midst.

That is the heart of Exodus 25.

The tabernacle was not just a religious structure. It was not just a portable worship center. It was not just a place for ceremonies, sacrifices, and sacred objects. It was a visible reminder that the holy God was choosing to dwell among His people.

That is incredible.

The God who spoke from the mountain, the God before whom the people trembled, the God who delivered them with a mighty hand, the God who judged Egypt and parted the sea, now says He wants to dwell in the midst of His people.

He is holy, but He is not distant.

He is glorious, but He is not uninterested.

He is high above all things, but He comes near.

One of the most beautiful things about this chapter is the way it foreshadows what is still to come. The tabernacle points forward to Jesus. God’s presence dwelling among His people in the wilderness was a shadow of the greater reality that would come when Christ entered the world.

John tells us that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. Jesus came near. He did not remain distant from our pain, our weakness, our sin, or our need. He stepped into human history and made the presence of God known in the most personal way possible.

And now, through Christ, the Spirit of God dwells in His people.

That means the presence of God is not attached only to a particular geographical location. It is not confined to a tent in the wilderness, a temple in Jerusalem, or a church building on Sunday morning. God is with His people. His presence dwells among us and in us.

That should change the way we think about ministry.

Oftentimes when it comes to ministry, we assume it only happens on certain days, in certain places, and in certain ways. We think ministry has to be connected to an official team of the church, a designated role, a microphone, a classroom, a service, or a scheduled event.

And those things matter.

But the reality is that ministry often takes place in a much more organic way. Some of the most impactful moments of ministry happen outside of the Sunday morning church experience. They happen in conversations, meals, living rooms, coffee shops, car rides, hospital rooms, text messages, and quiet moments where someone simply makes space for another person.

One of the most powerful ministry things you can ever do is extend an invitation for someone to join you for lunch.

That may sound simple, but do not underestimate it.

What can come out of that meal is not just physical sustenance. Someone may receive spiritual encouragement. A bond may be strengthened. A burden may be shared. A prayer may be prayed. A person may leave with fresh courage, renewed faith, or a deeper sense that they are not alone.

That is ministry.

It may not feel official. It may not have a title. It may not appear on a calendar. But if the presence of God is there, and if love, encouragement, prayer, truth, and care are being extended, then something sacred is happening.

Do not underestimate the small moments.

Do not underestimate the everyday practical moments.

Do not underestimate what God can do through a willing heart, an open home, a shared meal, a listening ear, or a simple invitation.

In Exodus 25, God invites the people to bring what they have so the tabernacle can be built. Gold, silver, bronze, yarn, linen, oil, spices, stones, and other materials would be brought for the construction of the sanctuary. God did not need their resources because He lacked anything. The whole earth belongs to Him. But He invited His people to participate in creating a place where His presence would be honored among them.

That is still how God works.

He invites us to participate. He invites us to bring what He has placed in our hands and offer it back to Him. Our time, gifts, resources, homes, meals, conversations, skills, creativity, hospitality, and obedience can become part of something sacred when surrendered to the Lord.

The tabernacle was built from willing hearts.

And that is still the kind of worship God desires.

Not empty religion. Not reluctant obedience. Not ministry that only happens when it is officially assigned. But willing hearts that recognize God’s presence is with His people, and because of that, ordinary moments can become holy moments.

So today, remember this.

God does not merely rescue His people from something.

He brings them into His presence.

He wants to dwell among His people. He wants our lives to become places where His presence is honored. He wants our hearts to be willing, our worship to be sincere, and our everyday moments to become opportunities for ministry.

The God who came near in the tabernacle has come even nearer in Jesus.

And through His Spirit, He is still making His dwelling among His people today.

Prayer
Lord, thank You that You are holy, but not distant. Thank You that You desire to dwell among Your people. Help us recognize Your presence not only in church gatherings, but in the ordinary moments of our lives. Teach us to offer our time, homes, meals, conversations, gifts, and obedience for Your glory. Give us willing hearts, and help us see everyday opportunities for ministry all around us. In Jesus’ name, amen.