A Habitation for the Lord

Over the years I (Mike) have heard many prayers for a "visitation" from God. However, I believe that it would be better for us to ask to be made into a "habitation" for the Lord. God has always desired to inhabit His people.

A visitor is welcomed into a house, but is limited on where he can go and what he can do (he cannot rearrange the furniture or remodel the kitchen, etc.) But an owner (one who inhabits) can do whatever he wants to with the house. The Bible says that salvation comes when we confess Jesus as Lord (Rom. 10:9-10). The word "lord" means owner. In essence, when we acknowledge Jesus as Lord, we are surrendering ownership to Him giving Him the right to do whatever He wants to with our lives.

I was thinking of this as I was watching what was happening in our neighborhood. The picture below is a neighbor's home. The elderly lady who used to live there passed away a couple of years ago, and now the new owner is totally remodeling the home. We have seen this with several homes in the area where they will leave the main structure as is, but completely gut the interior putting in new wiring, plumbing, windows, roof, etc. Sometimes, they will even change the floorplan. They will then replaster and paint the walls both inside and out so that it will look like a brand new home by the time they are finished. Only the homeowner has the authority to do this.

This is what happens in our lives spiritually. When our old man dies and we surrender to Jesus as Lord (owner), we are giving Him the authority to change our lives; removing all the old trash, and making everything brand new so that He can dwell in us. He cannot do that if He is merely visiting. So, I have changed my prayers. I no longer want just a visitation. I want to become a habitation for the Lord. And, He can make whatever changes are necessary in order for me to become His dwelling place.