Parking Places

Interestingly, we don’t use the word “dwell” too much; in conversation, for example, we would more commonly say “I live at” rather than “I dwell at.”  God’s Word says, “anger resides in the bosom of fools” (Ecclesiastes 7:9), and “do not let the sun go down on your anger” (Ephesians 4:26).  It’s shocking how many Believers – who have been thoroughly and unconditionally forgiven by God – choose to hang-on to anger and live in unforgiveness. How naturally thus easily we park ourselves by moments of infraction or offense!  It’s like pulling our minds-emotions-hearts into a parking place in a dark and dangerous part of town.  Solomon and Paul warn us: don’t park there! don’t dwell there! don’t live there! There’s a better parking place, a more pleasant and life-giving place: “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” (Philippians 4:8).  What a wonderful dwelling place – where truth, honor, justice, purity, loveliness, honor and excellence rule!  How lovely, O Lord, is Your dwelling place! (Psalm 84:1). There, in Him, there’s plenty parking places!