You Carry His Presence

The ark of the covenant was the central piece, the heart of the tabernacle. 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.

Carrying the ark was the priests' first role mentioned in Deuteronomy 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. He "has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father" (Revelation 1:5, 6). We have nothing more important to do than to be a carrier of His presence wherever we go.

When we are with a non-Christian, we are there to 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.

A group of men would sit around in a store using foul language and telling unwholesome stories--until a certain woman walked in. They couldn't explain it, but as long as that woman was there, their language changed.

Sadhu Sundar Singh observed that salt, when dissolved in water, may disappear, but it does not cease to exist. We can be sure of its presence by tasting the water. Likewise, the indwelling Christ, though unseen, will be made evident to others from the love that He imparts to us.

Dear Lord, I pray my heart will be Your holy dwelling.

     "I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith" (Ephesians 3:16, 17).