In a form of baptism and a final break from Egypt which signified sin and death, Israel crossed the Red Sea on the last day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. They witnessed the great work that the Lord did to the Egyptians and sang the Victory Song of Moses. Israel feared the Lord and determined to build a habitation for God to dwell among them. When Israel completed the Tabernacle in the wilderness at Mount Sinai, God’s glory filled the Tabernacle. Today in a greater reality, God no longer dwells in a building made by hands. He desires to dwell and live in us through His holy spirit. What conditions must we meet in order for God to dwell in us? Is our spiritual house clean? Intellectual assent to the truth is not the same as commitment to the point of action. Do we really know that God requires total surrender and obedience to walk with Him?

Donald Ward

Elder, United Church of God

Before his retirement in 2021, Dr. Donald Ward pastored churches in Texas and Louisiana, and taught at Ambassador Bible College in Cincinnati, Ohio. He has also served as chairman of the Council of Elders of the United Church of God. He holds a BS degree; a BA in theology; a MS degree; a doctor’s degree in education from East Texas State University; and has completed 18 hours of graduate theology from SMU.