“A mountain of God is the mountain of Bashan; a mountain of many peaks is the mountain of Bashan. Why do you look with envy, O mountains with many peaks,at the mountain which God has desired for His abode? Surely the Lord will dwell there forever” (Psalms 68:15-16).

I cannot help but pause to consider the mountain of which the Psalmist speaks. It is the mountain of God, where God will dwell forever.

Is it Mt. Sinai? No. Is it the mountain of Bashan, which at first glance you would assume from this passage? No, because the mountain of many peaks, the mountain of Bashan, is looking enviously at the mountain of God’s abode. Is it Mt. Zion, to which the writer of Hebrews says we as believers have come? This cannot argued. However, we have in Scripture another revelation of what this mountain is: it is none other than the house of the Lord.

“Now it will come about that in the last days the mountain of the house of the Lord will be established as the chief of the mountains, and will be raised above the hills; and all the nations will stream to it. And many peoples will come and say, ‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; that He may teach us concerning His ways and that we may walk in His paths.’ For the law will go forth from Zion and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem” (Isaiah 2:2-3).

That this refers to that future occasion when the Lord Jesus will have established His earthly reign for a thousand years is evident, for it goes on to say that, “He will judge between the nations, and will render decisions for many peoples; and they will hammer their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not lift up sword against nation, and never again will they learn war” (Isaiah 2:4).

But what I wish to point out is the phrase, “the mountain of the house of the Lord.” That is, put a different way, the Lord’s house is a mountain; and not only a mountain, but the chief of mountains. Here is the truth to be seen here: we the church, are His house. The church then, in this day, is the mountain of God.

Again, from the book of Hebrews,

“Now Moses was faithful in all His house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken later; but Christ was faithful as a Son over His house—whose house we are, if we hold fast our confidence and the boast of our hope firm until the end” (Hebrews 3:5-6).

The “chief of mountains” captures my attention. It is said the are seven mountains of influence. These ‘mountains,’ deemed to be those areas or divisions of society that shape culture, are business, government, media, arts and entertainment, education, the family and religion. Revealed at first to Bill Bright, founder of Campus Crusade, and Loren Cunningham, founder of Youth With a Mission, and then to Francis Schaeffer, these are the mountains which they say Christians must ‘scale’ to influence the world around us for Christ.

For the sake of clarity, at least in my mind anyway, while religion is listed as one of the seven, I do not consider it to be the church of Scripture, but rather those ecclesiastical organizations that most would render ‘religious.’

Here’s where I’m going with this: the church is not among these. The church, rather, is intended by God to be–and is in fact–chief of these. The church of Jesus Christ, the house of God (Hebrews 3:5-6), the mountain of God, the chief of mountains, is by nature and calling intended to be the supreme culture-shaper. And, though I’ve not time to present here proof, a brief overview of history will demonstrate that it has to a large degree done so. Yet it is a truth to be laid hold of in our day lest it be lost upon us.

(The book, How Christianity Changed the World, is a good place to start.)

Paul writes concerning the church, that it is the pillar and support of the truth (1 Timothy 3:15). It is not a fraternity, nor a social club, nor even just a gathering place where people of like mind come together to worship God. While indeed it is the latter, what I mean to say, what Scripture tells me, is that the church of Jesus is the principal agent of change in a fallen world. It is, in the words of Jesus, the “salt of the earth” and the “light of the world.” It is intended to be this “city set on a hill,” with the word of exhortation being, “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”

Where we are at in this equation ought be the question every serious Christian should ask himself. Then, having answered this question and seeing that he comes short, seek God as to how he might get to where God wants him to go.

“For you have made the Lord, my refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place, no evil will befall you, nor will any plague come near your tent (dwelling)” (Psalm 91:9-10).
It is striking, that in just two Psalms the writers speak of dwelling in God, of God as being the place of dwelling. I am reminded of Paul’s words in the book of Acts, where he says, “In Him we live and move and are (or have our being).” Yet what the Psalmist speaks of is not general in nature, as pertaining to all men; but specifically points to a man who has entered into a unique and rare relationship with God. You actually live in God.
It is true, that for the New Testament Christian, we are in Christ. God has taken us as it were, and inserted us into the Lord Jesus. That is so, yes; but as to how a man lives it may not be. Truth is one thing; recognizing it and living it is quite another. God is a Person for sure, but He is also a place. The actual word means an abode, or home; specifically, a retreat. It is a place to which a man goes, and in which he spends his life.
Deeper still is the word from which maween is derived; and this I think best describes what the writer means. The word is ona and apparently means “to dwell together; sexual (cohabitation)–as in the duty of marriage.” Perhaps this captures it best because it paints a man’s relationship with God as one of intimacy. That the church is the bride of Christ, that we have been joined to Jesus as in a marriage (Romans 7:4), further proves the point.
What then does dwelling together look and feel like? The example of marriage answers these questions.
First of all, you are committed to one another; it is “until death do we part.” It is “in sickness and health, for better or worse.” Dwelling in God begins with a firm, life-long commitment; one from which you hold fast and protect.
Second, you live together; you’ve everything in common. You share a home, responsibilities, and resources. You look out for one another, take care of one another. You eat and sleep together. You share not only your hopes and dreams, but your struggles. There is a mutual attitude of trust, acceptance, and forgiveness. Chapter 13 of 1 Corinthians describes your modus operandi. Each of you has the other’s best interest in mind. You lay down your life for each other.
Third, you share an intimacy that is strictly reserved for marriage–that is, sexual intercourse. Designed by God both for procreation and pleasure, intercourse is where the two of you come together in a physical union that can only be described as a oneness. In fact, it may be that the Scripture, in saying the “two shall become one,” actually refers to this act.
These things being said, dwelling in God is not necessarily something you do just in your morning (or evening) devotions; it’s not to be found only while in prayer or worship. No, it is a lifestyle, a manner of life. It is a heart condition, a mindset, a state of being. Everything characteristic of a marriage characterizes life in God.
It is interesting to consider for a moment dwelling in God as a verb rather than a noun–as in a place you live.
By definition, as a verb to dwell on something or someone is to be thinking, speaking, or writing with a focused attention. It is to linger. Thus, with God as your dwelling place, it is on Him you’ve set the eyes of your heart. It is “looking to Jesus.” It is keeping Him foremost in your thinking throughout the days of your life.
I think as well of Jesus words in John chapter 15, where our Lord says, “Abide in Me.” Kenneth Wuest rightly renders Jesus’ saying as “Maintain a living communion with Me.” The Amplified Bible picks up more the meaning as seen in Psalm 91, translating His words as “Dwell in Me, and I will dwell in you” (verse 4). A few verses down Jesus says, “If you live in Me [abide vitally united to Me} . . . ” Here again is the idea of a vital union with God–you live in Him, with Him, and for Him.
The wonder of Psalm 91 goes further in describing the security of such a place in God. It promises deliverance, health, safety, and help–all of which derives from making God your habitation, your place of refuge. These things are desirable, for sure; but I told the Lord this morning that being with Him tops all these. Just let me live with You as these words describe and I shall be satisfied. Do I need and want the benefits? You bet I do, yet these are outcomes not goals. The focus is the Lord Himself.
I know I’ve not scratched the surface of what God intends here, neither in thought nor–especially–in the real time of life. But this is what I want, this is what I choose. Not as in just today, but as in a marriage, which during a few moments a lifetime is charted. When you finally say the “I do” you know with whom you will live until the day you die. This is what I mean. Not as if I’ve never before made this commitment, because I have. Plus I’ve reiterated it many times over. But let me say it again today; allow me to restate my vows. Today I choose You, O God. Today I say, “I do” to You. Therefore, You are my Dwelling Place, the One in whom and with whom I shall live the balance of my days.

“God also wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul, so that handkerchiefs or aprons were carried away from him, and when they touched the sick they were healed, and the evil spirits departed from them” (Act 19:11-12).
Pastor Kevin Berry tells of his recent trip to the island nation of Cuba, where people brought the clothing of those who were sick, that he might pray over them and that they might then take the articles back to their children, and they would be healed. He recounts how hungry the people were for spiritual things, traveling great distances by foot or in the back of dump trucks to hear the word of God. How on Sunday for church services, there not being enough room in the building for the masses, they stood outside in the sweltering heat to worship God.
This hunger for God is not seen in America—not often, anyway. Berry shared how one person did not come to church on Sunday because it was raining. How Mt. Hope’s attendance went down when during the renovation of the main sanctuary people had to sit on plastic chairs in the event center (converted gym). Quite the contrast.
Our Constitution speaks of the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, and I believe God wants us happy. In fact, Scripture speaks of His giving us all things richly to enjoy. But more that this He wants us saved, and I think personal happiness has gotten in the way. I think it may have become our god.
Jesus tells the parable of a certain rich man, who land had been very productive, “and he began reasoning to himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no place to store my crops?’ The he said, ‘This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid for many years to come; take your ease, eat, drink and be merry.”’ But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you have prepared?’”
And then our Lord gives us the moral of the story: “So is the man who stores up treasures for himself, and is not rich toward God” (Luke 12:16-21).
Pastor Berry also told of the pastors they visited in Cuba, the home of which he described as being but three rooms with dirt floors. It makes me think of how I’ve been planning to replace the carpet in our family room because its 15 years old. Better than dirt!
The point is we are all so caught up with our comforts. Our collective goal in life is happiness, peace, and contentment. All this while just on the other side of the big lake people face terrorism, war, homelessness, political upheaval, Sheriah Law, horrible natural disasters, disease, and extreme poverty. Berry told us the other night that the average wage in Cuba is $9 per month. For a doctor its $25 a month.
I wonder at Jesus’ statement about storing up treasures for ourselves, if in our day this looks like investments in stocks, bonds, precious metals, and the like. The goal for most men like me is to be retired with a healthy nest egg so that they can live happily ever after without any need. I don’t decry such things, as many of my friends and associates are retired—several on the church board are retired. But if that is the goal, and if pensions are the security, and if personal happiness is what we serve, is it not evil? Might God show up one day and say, “You fool! This night your soul is required of you!”?
My goodness! I want to be happy. My wife is happy. But I testify to the truth of God that nothing makes me happy; the only thing that makes me happy is experiencing the Lord and His word. Its knowing, really knowing, God’s love and God’s presence. That makes me happy. Its being used of God to impart into someone else’s life something of the Lord; that makes me happy. Its giving, that makes me happy.
I want to be content, but I want it to be like Paul’s contentment, whether I’ve enough or not enough — “I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”
Of course, I desire nice things, and God has blessed Barb and me with a beautiful home in a wonderful neighborhood. We’re well fed and have nice clothes, and really can have most things we want. But these things are like dung compared to the nearness of God, to intimacy with God, to hearing His voice and experiencing His presence. I’d rather give than having what funds I have tied up in a second mortgage or paying on debts for toys that can never satisfy. We’ve been praying about a place on a lake, how we’d love to be able to get away for rest, for peace and quiet, for me to write. But to do this would eat up the extra monies we have for being generous, and I don’t want this.
The Lord Jesus prefaced the parable above with this remark, “Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions” (verse 15).
Solomon’s book Ecclesiastes tells of how man’s pursuit of happiness through things is “vanity and striving after wind.” He concludes his treatise by saying, “The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person.”