But will God actually dwell with men on the earth? Behold, the heavens & heaven of heavens

in its most extended compass can’t contain You; how much less this house that I have built?

1 Kings 8:27

Would God move into our neighborhood?

Would He even think of living in our house?

Doesn’t God need a lot of breathing room?

Our place is not in very good shape. It needs remodeling!

It’s not very wheelchair friendly.

I’ve butchered some doorways with a saw to make wider openings but I’m not that handy.

And God is so big. How would He Fit. Plus I have a lot of clutter.

Isn’t Jesus persnickety? Isn’t He fussy and fastidious?

Abraham was called God’s friend on 3 occasions. How cool is that?

Friends become friends by spending time together.

When others avoid us it’s usually because they don’t want to be friends.

Or at best they’re just too busy with other stuff. They don’t have time for us.

But Jesus isn’t too busy.

Jesus tells us that He never wants to avoid us.

In fact He’s working on us being closer to Him and closer to each other.

Jesus tell us: You are my friends if you do what I command.

I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know

What his master’s thinking and planning to do.

Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father

I have made known to you. Now you can know what I’m thinking and planning

You didn’t choose me, but I chose you and appointed you

so that you might go and bear fruit and fruit that will last

and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.

This friendship, this close relationship and yes, as amazing as it sounds.

Jesus, actually is moving in with me.

That He would live in this cramped hovel with me.

Now that’s amazing.

In Gen.18 The Lord came to have a beautiful meal with His friend Abraham.

He wanted to tell Abraham & Sarah that they were going to be productive.

They were going to bear fruit and this would be lasting eternal fruit.

The thought made Sarah chuckle. God said why are you chuckling.

She lied to God her friend.

How could Sarah blurt out, “I didn’t laugh,”

The Lord is amazing. He’s calm, His response is simple & understanding

He gently replies to Sarah behind the tent wall, “no, but you did laugh.”

Jesus is full sympathy and endless patience and love.

Sarah lied to the living God.

But with infinite kindness Jesus passed over the outrageous offense

He acted as though it had never happened.

If You, Lord, should mark & keep track of iniquities, O Lord, who could stand?

But there is forgiveness with You & we respect You in deep reverence & awe

Psalm 130

Sarah’s saying in her chuckle; I’m old enough to be a great grandmother.

I’ve been barren my whole married life. It just was ridiculous. She felt useless & disabled

She felt she was a big disappointment.

We’re so privileged. The eternal God Himself comes to talk with us,

He comes down and talks man to man, women to women.

He comes to live with us. Not just an occasional visit.

But constant companionship and friendship. We can continuously chat,

God is as much interest in us as He was with Abraham or Sarah.

He interested in us living up to our full potential and productivity.

His purposes of grace for us and everyone we love can be realized.

His plans of love to our ruined world hinges on Him and yes, He wants to use us.

The Lord said to Sarah:

Is anything too hard or too wonderful for Me?

Genesis 18:14

We know the answer. But do we believe it?

He said to a publican, “Zaccheus, hurry climb down from the tree,
for to-day I’m visiting your house.”

Publicans were tax extorters. To extort is to gain by force, treat or any unfair methods

Publicans we’re cheating oddballs who we’re publicly hated.

They had no conscience about pressuring money mercilessly out of people.

Jesus came to Zac’s house to become his friend and change his life.

He went to the home of Peter, and healed his mother in law.

After Jesus resurrection, he walked with two unnamed disciples and went in their house for a meal.

He comes to live with us.

He’s a life changer.

He’s a friend.

And nothing is too hard for God

And nothing is too wonderful for God

to do in us, for us & around us.