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Have you ever lost something truly valuable—a piece of jewelry, a family photo, or a special gift—only to find it again after a long search? Do you remember that wave of relief and joy? Think about how it changed the way you treated that item afterward. You likely held it a little tighter, kept it in a safer place, and cherished it more than you did before. That feeling of recovering something precious is a small picture of a much bigger story.
For the people of Israel, the most valuable thing they had was the very presence of God, symbolized by His glory filling their temple. But through disobedience and turning to other idols, they lost it. The prophet Ezekiel spoke to a people in exile because God’s glory—the visible sign of His presence—had departed from the temple (Ezekiel 10–11). This spiritual departure was followed by a physical one: Jerusalem was destroyed, and the people were carried away from their home. It was a time of immense loss.
Yet, in the midst of this despair, God gave Ezekiel a vision of hope. In Ezekiel 43, the prophet sees the magnificent glory of God returning to a new, restored temple. It comes from the east, the same direction from which it had left, and its sound is like the roar of rushing waters. But before worship can begin, the altar must be cleansed. God’s return comes with a holy purpose, and He makes a profound declaration about this place: “This is the place of my throne…” (Ezekiel 43:7). The message was clear and life-altering: God had disciplined His people, but He had not abandoned them. His return signified His deep desire to dwell with them once again, and it raises a powerful question for us today: What does it look like to truly welcome God's presence back into the center of our lives, and how does it change us?
What God Wants Us to Know
From this powerful story, God reveals timeless truths about His character and what He desires from us.
• God desires to dwell with His people. At His core, God is not distant or uninterested. His deepest desire has always been to live in close, personal relationship with us. The return of His glory to the temple was a powerful statement of His commitment to be with His children.
• His presence requires holiness. God's return came with a condition: the sin and idols that pushed Him away had to be removed. His perfect, holy presence simply cannot coexist with our unholy habits and divided hearts. To make room for Him, we must be willing to cleanse our lives of the things that displease Him.
• Faithfulness affects our closeness to God. In Ezekiel 44, God draws a distinction between the leaders. Those priests who had remained faithful were granted closer access to serve Him. Those who had been unfaithful were restricted in their duties. Faithful leaders were given a specific task: to “teach [the people] the difference between the holy and the common.” This principle remains true for us; our consistent, daily obedience opens the door to deeper intimacy with God.
• True worship and daily life are connected. God’s instructions flow directly from the temple leaders (Ezekiel 44) to the marketplace (Ezekiel 45). The same standard of holiness applies to both. He commands the use of honest weights and warns leaders against injustice. The message is undeniable: you cannot claim to worship God sincerely on Sunday while living dishonestly on Monday. The integrity He demanded of His priests in the sanctuary is the same integrity He demands of His people in their daily work.
How We Live This Out Today
Welcoming God’s presence isn't a one-time event; it’s a series of intentional choices we make every day. Here is what that can look like.
Make Room for God Take an honest look at your life. What are the "idols" that compete for your attention and affection? They may not be statues, but they can be our priorities, habits, or the distractions that push God from the center of our hearts. Making room for His presence means actively choosing to set those things aside and prioritize time with Him in prayer and His Word.
Live with Integrity God’s presence should change how you do your job, manage your money, and interact with your family. Honesty when no one is watching, fairness in your dealings, and kindness in your relationships are all acts of worship. This is where faith becomes tangible, because holiness is lived — not claimed. Our relationship with God must guide our decisions.
Remember Your Influence You don’t need a title to be a leader; we all influence someone. The people in your life—your children, coworkers, friends, and online connections—are learning about God by watching you. Your daily choices, your tone, your honesty, and your compassion—especially in your digital conduct and on social media—teach a more powerful sermon than your words ever could.
A Moment With God
Take a moment to pause and bring these truths before God in prayer. Ask Him to speak to your heart as you consider these questions:
1. Am I being completely honest in the parts of my life that no one else sees?
2. Does my worship of God go beyond Sunday morning and truly guide my daily decisions?
3. What is one area of my life I need to realign to make more room for God’s presence?
The Ultimate Dwelling Place
The Old Testament vision of God’s glory filling a physical temple was a beautiful foreshadowing of an even greater reality. Today, through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, God’s presence no longer dwells in a building made of stone, but in the hearts of His people through the Holy Spirit.
Because of Jesus’s sacrifice, we don't have to be perfect to welcome God’s presence. We are simply invited to respond with repentance and faith, turning from our sin and trusting in Him. When we do this, He cleanses us and makes His home in us. The lesson from Ezekiel’s vision is the promise for our lives.
When God’s presence is welcomed, everything else falls into its proper order.
Lord, search my heart. Remove what doesn’t honor You and help me live in a way that welcomes Your presence today.
You’re Invited to Worship With Us
Pittsford Wesleyan Church (PWC) 9294 Rail St, Pittsford, Michigan Sunday Worship: 11:00 AM Sunday School: 10:00 AM Everyone is welcome! If you're searching for truth, hope, community, or a place to grow in faith, we would love to have you join us. Come as you are — discover who God is and how much He loves you.
Wherever you are in your walk with God, you’re welcome here.