A common hang up for many people when it comes to christianity is that we cannot see God. He is not in a physical body like you or I and therefore how can we communicate with Him, get to know Him, understand Him, see His provision and care for us. The fact that God is spirit and not flesh is actually a good thing. It means he is not limited to our laws of physics. People can only be in one place at one time. I can only do one thing at a time (I’m terrible at multitasking). We have limited power and resources and energy. God is not limited by any of those things. God has unlimited power and resources and he does not grow tired. Because God is spirit, He also has the ability to be present with each one of us at all times.
For thus says the One who is high and lifted up,
who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy:
“I dwell in the high and holy place,
and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit,
to revive the spirit of the lowly,
and to revive the heart of the contrite.
Isaiah 57:15
God dwells in the high and holy places as well as with those who have humbled themselves and made Him Lord of their life. The Holy Spirit dwells in those who believe.
This is what Jesus was referring to in John 16:7 when he said “Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.”
With the death of Christ, the temple curtain was torn in two, (Matthew 27:51) symbolizing that God no longer dwelt only in the holies of holies to be approached only by the high priest but that He is now available to all who put their trust and faith in the saving work of His Son.
What does this mean for us? It means that we are never alone. In the highest of highs and the lowest of lows God is with us. He is with us in the good times and the bad times. He is with us when we feel His presence and when we do not. He is with us when things make sense and when things do not make sense.
It means, if you believe that Jesus is the son of God and that He died on the cross for your sins so that your relationship with God could be restored, then you are never alone. The spirit of God is with you wherever you go. That should give us confidence and comfort in all situations. Knowing that God is with us.
Adam Deering