The ark of the LORD remained in the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite for three months, and the LORD blessed him and his entire household.

Obed-Edom wasn’t a famous prophet, king, or warrior. He was not even a priest or someone whom this world considers a “man of God.” He was just an ordinary man whose home became the resting place of God’s presence—the Ark of the Covenant. And because of that, his entire household was blessed. The Bible doesn’t detail what those blessings were, but we can imagine. His family thrived, his work prospered, and there was joy, peace, and harmony in his home. Where God’s presence dwells, blessing naturally flows.

When God is truly present in a home, His peace rules. You feel it the moment you walk in—there’s warmth, laughter, and unity even in simple surroundings. There may still be problems, but there’s also calmness in how those problems are faced. Children respect parents. Spouses speak with gentleness. Forgiveness replaces pride. It’s not about how big your house is or how fancy your furniture looks—it’s about who lives there with you. If arguments, shouting, and constant tension fill a home, it’s a sign that something spiritual is missing. God isn’t being hosted there.

Imagine you invite a very important guest to stay in your house. You’d clean the house, throw away the junk, and make sure every corner is spotless. You’d adjust your schedule, your habits, even your words, to honor that guest. Now imagine the King of Kings living in your home. Would you still watch that TV show or movie with filthy language or immoral scenes? Would you still play that music filled with anger and lust? Would you still speak harshly to your spouse or children? Hosting God at home means rearranging your life to honor His presence.

A home without God may look beautiful on the outside but feel very empty inside. There’s noise, but no joy. There’s money, but no contentment. There are words, but no real communication. When God’s presence leaves, confusion enters. When prayer stops, complaining begins. When worship fades, worry grows. King Saul once had God’s favor, but when God’s Spirit left him, torment filled his heart (1 Samuel 16:14). The same happens in homes—without God’s Spirit, peace is replaced by restlessness.

When you choose to make your home a dwelling place for God, you’re building a spiritual fortress. God’s peace will guard your family, His wisdom will guide your decisions, and His joy will strengthen your relationships. Your home will become like Obed-Edom’s—a place overflowing with blessing, laughter, and harmony. It doesn’t happen overnight. But if you make small daily choices to honor His presence, your home will soon feel like heaven on earth.

How can we make room for God at home? Consider these options.

Create a prayer space—A small corner where the Bible stays open, worship music plays softly, and prayer flows regularly. It doesn’t have to be fancy… just sacred.
Be discerning in your entertainment—Before playing a show or song, ask: Would Jesus sit and enjoy this with me? If the answer is no, skip it.
Guard your tongue—Speak kindly. Apologize quickly. Encourage often. Words build or break the spiritual atmosphere of your home.
Worship—Sing one song after dinner. Worship invites heaven into your living room. Sing out loud, even if you’re alone.
Read and reflect on Scripture—Make Bible reading a family rhythm, a verse before meals or a short devotion before bed. If you have individual bible reading times, then talk about God’s word together often.
Keep peace intentionally—Don’t let arguments linger. Say “sorry” first. The Holy Spirit dwells in peace, not pride.

By Santosh Chandran, Bible League International staff, New Zealand