Sure Dwellings, Pt. 2 - No. 162
Isaiah 32:18, “And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places.”
God uses three descriptions to describe the homes of His people. Not only does He want them to be homes of peace, but to be secure dwellings, secure from danger and enemy attack. The word secure is mibtach and is usually translated confidence, such as Psalm 65:5, “O God of our salvation; who art the confidence of all the ends of the earth.”
We can be confident that our home will be safe as we put our trust in the living God--and, as we fulfill the prerequisite, which is to walk in righteousness. The preceding Scripture, v.17 says, “And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance forever.” Righteousness and peace are twins! You can’t have one without the other. Psalm 85:10 says, “Righteousness and peace have kissed each other.” What a beautiful Scripture.
I love Proverbs 14:19, which says, “The evil bow before the good; and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.” The enemy comes to a halt at the gates of a righteous home. He cannot proceed any further. He is afraid of righteousness. However, the gates of your home must be uncompromisingly righteous gates. The enemy will detect any compromise, any crack, or any hesitation of standing absolutely on the side of right.
Ezekiel 14:12-20 tells about coming judgment of famine, devastation and war. The only people who would be saved in the midst of the judgment were Noah, Daniel and Job. Why these three men? Because of their righteousness. Righteousness will preserve us, even in hard times. We will never avoid tough times, but we can have confidence of God’s preservation in the midst of them. After giving the promise of living in “secure dwellings” it says, “Even when hail falls, felling the forest and the city is utterly brought down.” (Isaiah 32:19)
We see another beautiful thought in this phrase, “sure dwellings”. The Hebrew word for dwelling is mostly used of the tabernacle in the wilderness (119 times), the place where God’s presence dwelt. The root of this Hebrew word is shakan which means “to settle down.” It is where the word Shekinah comes from. Wow! God wants to settle down and make His habitation in your home. He wants to fill your home with His presence, with His Shekinah glory.
How would you describe your home? Is it filled with tension and bickering? Or is it filled with the presence of the Lord?
You can be confident that your dwelling will be sure and safe when God dwells in it.
Love from NANCY CAMPBELL
PRAYER:
“O Lord, I thank you that you want to dwell in my home just as you dwelt in the tabernacle dwelling in the wilderness. I invite you to come in and fill every heart and every room in our home. Amen.”
AFFIRMATION:
My home is a dwelling for the presence of God.