You Carry His Presence

The ark of the covenant was the central piece of the Old Testament tabernacle. God communicated with Moses "from between the two cherubim" on the Ark's cover (Exodus 25:22.) The ark speaks beautifully of Christ’s presence resting in us and tells us that we are carriers of His presence. We can think of the ark as Christ in us, His Spirit being at home within our spirits.

When the Israelites were traveling and the ark was going ahead of them, they were to maintain a distance behind it perhaps to show reverence. Likewise, we should have a sense of awe as we realize His glory within. The indwelling Christ should never become a trivial matter with us.

When we are with a non-Christian, we bring the presence of Christ to that person. Christ’s presence within us is a reality and often makes more of a difference than we realize. A friend related that when the nurses spoke of her Christian mother’s hospital room, they would say, “Something is different about that room.” A nurse told me that patients have asked her for no reason that she can determine, “You’re a Christian, aren’t you?” She carries Christ’s presence with her.

Carrying the ark was the priests’ first role mentioned in Deut. 10:8. “The Lord set apart the tribe of Levi to carry the ark of the covenant of the Lord.” We, as His priests, are now the carriers of His presence. What an honor!

Thank You, Father, for the wonderful reality of what the ark symbolized--the presence of Christ within.

“God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Col. 1:27).