Preparing for God's Presence
Preparing for the Presence of God
Exodus 36-40
“Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.”
Let’s be honest: God's detailed description of the intricate building of the Tabernacle will never be quoted as a person’s favorite life verse. We quickly scan over the details, looking for something that excites us, but get lost in the in-depth description. However, important lessons must be learned, and sometimes we miss the forest for the trees. We get so lost in the details that we fail to grasp the vital truth it teaches. In the description of the building requirements of the Tabernacle, we discover three invaluable life principles that we need to implement in our lives.
First, God equips us to perform the task He assigns us. Building the complex structure of the Tabernacle was no small feat. Not only must it reflect the beauty and glory of God and be worthy of His presence, but it must be easily portable. It needed to be built so that it could be quickly taken down and transported across the rough terrain of the desert. In 36:1, there is an important statement. The task of building the tabernacle and forming all the furnishings from gold was given to Bezalel and Oholiab. The task must have seemed overwhelming. However, we are told God supernaturally equipped them for the task (see also 35:31,34). No matter what the responsibility is or the circumstance we face and how overwhelming it may seem, when we trust in God, we have the assurance that He will give us the ability and strength to deal with the challenges we face. Paul likewise affirms this truth when he states, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Phil. 4:13). Christ does not call us to perform something that He has not equipped us to do, whether it is building an ornate tabernacle, for leading a ministry, or sharing our faith with a neighbor.
Second, God not only equips people to perform the work but also moves in people's hearts to give to His work. As they began the process of building, the people were asked to give their gold and silver to the project. The response was so great that Moses commanded the people to stop giving. (Image a pastor telling the congregation to stop giving so much!) Often, churches and church leaders become concerned about the budget; however, when we are engaged in God’s work and following His direction, He will more than supply our needs. This is not only true of the finances of the church; it is true of our lives as well. We quickly become worried about the economy and our financial portfolio, but when we are engaged in doing what God has called us to do and when we are serving him, He promises to take care of us.
Last, we see in the Tabernacle that God desires to be present with His people. However, His people must prepare a place for God to dwell that is worthy of His presence and reflects the glory and praise He deserves. Today, His presence is no longer in a building or a Tabernacle but in our personal life. God takes up residence in our soul so that He is present with us at every moment. We become the Tabernacle of God. However, like the Tabernacle of the Old Testament, we must reflect His glory. We do not do this by building a physical dwelling for God but by living a life that reflects Him and His character (2 Cor. 6:16). Furthermore, the church (not the building but the community of God’s people) is the temple of God. As a church, we are to live in a way that honors and reflects His glory. In 1 Cor. 3:16, we read, “Do you not know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?” The detailed requirements of the Tabernacle and the amount of gold and silver used were required for the Tabernacle to reflect God’s glory and His presence. The same is true of our lives. We are to live in a way that reflects God’s glory and presence in all we do and say. The lesson of the Tabernacle is a lesson regarding our attitude toward God’s presence. Are we living a life that reflects God’s glory and honor? Do we bring honor to Him in all that we say and do? If our lives were a physical tabernacle, what would it look like? Would we be a rundown shack or an innately decorated Tabernacle that reflects His splendor? Have we prepared our life for His presence?
Exodus 36-40
“Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.”
Let’s be honest: God's detailed description of the intricate building of the Tabernacle will never be quoted as a person’s favorite life verse. We quickly scan over the details, looking for something that excites us, but get lost in the in-depth description. However, important lessons must be learned, and sometimes we miss the forest for the trees. We get so lost in the details that we fail to grasp the vital truth it teaches. In the description of the building requirements of the Tabernacle, we discover three invaluable life principles that we need to implement in our lives.
First, God equips us to perform the task He assigns us. Building the complex structure of the Tabernacle was no small feat. Not only must it reflect the beauty and glory of God and be worthy of His presence, but it must be easily portable. It needed to be built so that it could be quickly taken down and transported across the rough terrain of the desert. In 36:1, there is an important statement. The task of building the tabernacle and forming all the furnishings from gold was given to Bezalel and Oholiab. The task must have seemed overwhelming. However, we are told God supernaturally equipped them for the task (see also 35:31,34). No matter what the responsibility is or the circumstance we face and how overwhelming it may seem, when we trust in God, we have the assurance that He will give us the ability and strength to deal with the challenges we face. Paul likewise affirms this truth when he states, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Phil. 4:13). Christ does not call us to perform something that He has not equipped us to do, whether it is building an ornate tabernacle, for leading a ministry, or sharing our faith with a neighbor.
Second, God not only equips people to perform the work but also moves in people's hearts to give to His work. As they began the process of building, the people were asked to give their gold and silver to the project. The response was so great that Moses commanded the people to stop giving. (Image a pastor telling the congregation to stop giving so much!) Often, churches and church leaders become concerned about the budget; however, when we are engaged in God’s work and following His direction, He will more than supply our needs. This is not only true of the finances of the church; it is true of our lives as well. We quickly become worried about the economy and our financial portfolio, but when we are engaged in doing what God has called us to do and when we are serving him, He promises to take care of us.
Last, we see in the Tabernacle that God desires to be present with His people. However, His people must prepare a place for God to dwell that is worthy of His presence and reflects the glory and praise He deserves. Today, His presence is no longer in a building or a Tabernacle but in our personal life. God takes up residence in our soul so that He is present with us at every moment. We become the Tabernacle of God. However, like the Tabernacle of the Old Testament, we must reflect His glory. We do not do this by building a physical dwelling for God but by living a life that reflects Him and His character (2 Cor. 6:16). Furthermore, the church (not the building but the community of God’s people) is the temple of God. As a church, we are to live in a way that honors and reflects His glory. In 1 Cor. 3:16, we read, “Do you not know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?” The detailed requirements of the Tabernacle and the amount of gold and silver used were required for the Tabernacle to reflect God’s glory and His presence. The same is true of our lives. We are to live in a way that reflects God’s glory and presence in all we do and say. The lesson of the Tabernacle is a lesson regarding our attitude toward God’s presence. Are we living a life that reflects God’s glory and honor? Do we bring honor to Him in all that we say and do? If our lives were a physical tabernacle, what would it look like? Would we be a rundown shack or an innately decorated Tabernacle that reflects His splendor? Have we prepared our life for His presence?
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