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2 Samuel 7:9 “And I have been with you wherever you went.”
In this passage the prophet Nathan reminds David that God is not that concerned about a temple made with human hands to house his holy presence. Rather, what is of paramount importance is God's desire to dwell in the midst of his people.
How often we have heard it sad that the church is not a building but the people of faith among whom God has chosen to abide. While there is no denying that a building, which we often refer to as the House of God, is usually considered a necessity, it is of far less importance than God's taking up residence within each individual and accompanying them in their pilgrimage through life.
Talk to people of faith who have gone through the dark days of divorce, suffered through a debilitating sickness, or wrestled with life-changing choices and they will tell you how the assurance of God's presence during these times made a big difference for them. On the other hand, these same folks might tell you that when life was very good to them, the ever present God added immeasurably to their joy.
What Nathan promised David has become an even more precious reality in the person of God's own Son, who pledged to the disciples, “Lo, I am with you always to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).
Lord, keep us ever mindful of your daily presence in our midst. Amen.
— Fr. Erv
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