This article accompanies the Verse of the Day for February 23, 2026. Click the button below to watch the Verse of the Day devotional and sign up to get it sent directly to your email inbox every day.
“All who declare that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God.” – 1 John 4:15 NLT
Our culture has a fascination with house hunting TV shows, and I understand why. They’re very fun to watch! We follow couples on their journey to find a dream home, or we watch amazing renovations take place where an old, dilapidated house becomes an exquisite dwelling place. Whatever the exact details of any given show, there is one common theme: people looking for a good place to live.
As humans, we look for creature comforts. We want a nice yard, a porch, working heating and cooling systems, comfortable furniture, indoor plumbing. But have we ever stopped to ask, what makes a good dwelling place for the Lord? This is an important question and one the Bible talks about a lot.
God’s Dwelling Place
In the Old Testament, God’s presence dwelled in the tabernacle, above the mercy seat on the Ark of the Covenant, and in the Temple at Jerusalem. None of these were meant to be His permanent dwelling place, but were only foreshadows of a greater home for the Lord that He Himself would build up on the foundation of Christ.
All of this comes to light in the New Testament. God makes His home in the hearts of true believers. When we confess that Jesus is the Christ and that He is the Son of God, we become a home fit for the King of kings, and He is pleased to come and abide in us.
In the New Testament, believers are the dwelling place of God. God does the ultimate “renovation” on us. By drawing us into faith, giving us a heart filled with love for Christ, and washing us clean by the blood of Jesus, He makes us a palace fit for God to reside in. And this is our ultimate hope and joy: God with us and God in us. We will forever be His people, and He will forever dwell among us.
Prayer
Thank You Lord, for making me Your very own dwelling place. Thank You for always being with me, caring for me, and watching over me. May my confession of Christ come from a sincere heart, and may I honor Him every moment of every day. In Jesus’ name, amen.
