When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. . . . Fear not: for I am with thee! —Isaiah 43:2, 5

There is no need to worry, no need to fear; Someone has come to live in your house. Almighty God has taken up residence in you to make sure that nothing by any means will harm you. There is not enough water or fire to shake a life that is God-inside-minded. If you have slipped into worry or fear, it is because you forgot who you are and you forgot where He lives! You are God’s habitation, God’s dwelling place—what water, fire, or situation would dare challenge you? Storms and winds will arise, but the “peace, be still” power resides in you. You were created and indwelt to “pass through the situation,” not go around or get stuck in it! Fear not—you are the house of God. Fear not—“God is [your] refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1). Therefore I will not fear! I am the House of God!

Pastor Tom Kehres

I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. . . . The Lord is my helper . . . I will not fear. —Hebrews 13:5–6

We have heard many promises from friends, coworkers, and even our brothers and sisters in Christ. Whether they kept those promises or not is another thing. Here in this verse, Someone gives you a promise that will be kept forever. God will never leave you, nor forsake you. There may be times when it feels like He left, or times when He would have a right to leave, but He said it and can never take it back. Where can you go to get away from His presence? To heaven? To hell? To the uttermost parts of the sea? In the darkness? He shall be even there to lead you and hold you (Psalm 139). His presence is only a thought away! Meditate on His closeness to you. Think about His dwelling in you. Believe His promise to you. He will never leave you! You are the House of God.

Pastor Tom Kehres

They shall call His name Emmanuel . . . God with us. —Matthew 1:23

Even before your birth, God was already revealing His plan to mankind. His very name, “Emmanuel,” told the people that God would now come to be with them. He would no longer, nor did He ever, desire to be a far-away, distant God. He created man for a close relationship, but Adam broke that fellowship. God declares, “I will come to mankind again—in the flesh, to be with them and restore fellowship again.” Jesus was God in the flesh. It was God in Christ who enabled Him to live in victory and destroy the works of the devil (2 Corinthians 5:19; 1 John 3:8). Today, it is Christ in you—the Spirit of God in you—so you, too, can live in victory and destroy the works of the devil! There is no need to call Him long distance when He has come to dwell in you. Emmanuel now resides in you. God is truly with us—we are the House of God!

Pastor Tom Kehres

In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. —Ephesians 2:22

God reveals His plan and purpose for mankind in this verse. He desires for us to be a habitation, a dwelling place or house, for His Spirit and presence. He does not want to visit you periodically or only on Sundays at church, but He desires for you to understand— you are the habitation of God. Almighty God is with you and in you all the time. Every minute of every day, there needs to be a God-consciousness in your thought life. What a privilege and honor for God to take up residence—in you! If God is for you, and with you, and in you—who can be against you? You are the House of God!

Pastor Tom Kehres