On Earth as It Is in Heaven

Heaven is God’s dwelling place just as the believer’s body is God’s dwelling place. Because of the price Christ paid,  God can dwell in us here on earth.

We pray “Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” Brad Young clarifies this passage:

The Hebrew imagery behind the phrase “in heaven and on earth” suggests God’s majesty and his involvement with mankind. He is supernatural and all-powerful in heaven, and yet he is active in the affairs of men on earth. The supernatural and the natural are combined, and almighty God himself intervenes on behalf of men and for his Kingdom on earth.

The supplication “May your will be done” has more to do with accomplishing God’s will than it does with merely discerning his will. Scriptural injunctions generally concern doing rather than discerning God’s will.

Man’s evil desires can prevent him from performing God’s will. A prayer by Rabbi Alexandri expresses this:

Sovereign of the universe, it is well known to you that our will is to do your will. [But] what prevents us? The yeast in the dough and [our] enslavement to other kingdoms. May it be your will to save us from them so that we can once more fully perform the statutes of your will. (Berachot 17a)

The expression “yeast in the dough” refers to man’s evil inclination or his sinful nature. This propensity for sin stands between man and his desire to do the will of God. “

Abstaining from Leaven: A Holy Walk with God

During the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Lev 23:6, Exodus 12:15-17). week-long feast, nothing with leaven (yeast) in it may be eaten. Leaven is the symbol of all that is unclean and evil and therefore must scrupulously be removed from all houses before the Passover feast.

Abstaining from leavened bread for seven days was symbolic of God’s people separating themselves from sin and becoming a holy people and experiencing a holy walk with the Lord.

Jesus taught that we must repent and overcome our sinful nature.

“God dwells where man lets him in.”
–  Chasidic saying

According to Leviticus 13:7, as long as leaven remains in the house one cannot celebrate Passover. It is a spiritual as well as a physical cleansing. This is a symbol of our step towards righteousness and turning away from sin.

The Biblical Holidays tell of Jesus first and second coming!

The purity of the Feast of Unleavened Bread follows the blood-deliverance of Passover; we can only walk in purity before the Lord after we have had the blood-deliverance at the cross.

I will dwell among the sons of Israel and will be their God. Exodus 29:45

God seeks an intimate, loving relationship with his children. The Lord’s commitment to dwell in us and never leave us or forsake us (Heb. 13:5) is an indication of His great love for us.

The love that overflowing from our heart comes directly from our relationship with God through His Holy Spirit.

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Tuesday In Other Words

This week, Denise is hosting “In ‘Other’ Words” on her blog, ShortyBear’s Place. Be sure to visit her site and the links to th e other women who have shared on this quote.