Zechariah 8:3
“Thus saith the LORD; I am returned unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and Jerusalem shall be called a city of truth; and the mountain of the LORD of hosts the holy mountain.”
Have you ever been in a place where someone’s presence changed the atmosphere? President Wilson told a story about someone whose presence changed the atmosphere of a barber shop. He said that he walked into the barbershop and took the chair next to D.L. Moody. At the time, he did not know it was Moody, but he noticed there was something very different about the man. President Wilson said that the conversation about the LORD changed the atmosphere so much that “It made an impression upon me I have not yet forgotten.”
One great need today are for Christians who are atmosphere-changers. It may seem impossible for your presence to change an atmosphere, but the verse above shows that it can be done if you will dwell in the midst of God. God’s presence in the midst of Jerusalem changed the atmosphere of that city. God’s presence will also change the atmosphere when He dwells in the midst of a Christian’s life. Why? Because God is an atmosphere-changer. When a Christian dwells in the midst of God, four attributes will be evident in their life.
First, truth will be the trademark of your life when you dwell in the midst of God. The Christian who doesn’t mind trimming the truth will find a void of God’s presence in their life. If you want the atmosphere of wherever you go to positively change, you must be a person who believes that the truth must always be told. God will not be present in a place of lies, but He feels at home in the Christian’s life who always tells the truth.
Second, holiness will be the goal of the Christian who dwells in the midst of God. You can’t expect God’s presence to be in the midst of your life when you are identifying more with the world than with Him. The Christian who wants to dwell in the midst of God must come out from the world to God. They won’t try to bring God down to man’s level; rather, they will try to raise their manner of living to God’s level.
Third, verse 4 shows that respect for authority will be the result of the Christian who dwells in the midst of God. Your respect for those who are your authorities shows your respect of God. Sometimes your authorities will be younger than you, but if you dwell in the midst of God it won’t matter. It’s not a matter of their age; it is a matter of the position they hold. Dwelling in the midst of God removes all quandaries with authority because you will be right with the highest authority.
Fourth, verse 5 shows that an enjoyment of life will be the result of the Christian who dwells in the midst of God. One of the characteristics I have always observed of those who are close to God is one of a total enjoyment of life. Their spirit is a happy spirit. Their enjoyable attitude tends to change the atmosphere wherever they frequent. When a Christian dwells in the midst of God, you will find their attitude will become one that is enjoyable to be around.
Friend, these four attributes are imperative if you are going to be a person whose presence changes the atmosphere wherever you go. You will be a better life-changer when you become an atmosphere-changer. This only happens when you dwell in the midst of God.