We read more today about God’s plans for his tabernacle and the items contained therein. I am amazed at the detail and how important this is to have been included in God’s will. If you haven’t watched the video from yesterday’s reflection (Exodus 26) you should do that now.
All of God’s word is inspired by him. I often wonder why certain things are included. I have to remember that I am just one person in a HUGE history of Bible readers, and there will be generations to come. Not every passage will have a meaning for me. But today’s reading was relevant to the people who were first meeting God in the tabernacle. God didn’t want to be honored in just any old place. He was making it reverent. It was to be an intentional space to meet God.
Today, God is still relevant. He isn’t contained in a place, although he is present in any place. He is available for us. I think of the “open door policy” that was made popular in workplaces. It was intended that the employee felt welcome to approach the boss at any time. Prior to that, apparently, bosses were set apart and feared by their employees. That mentality was seen by slaves and slave owners, for example.
Yet, all those examples pale in comparison to having access to our heavenly Father. People often say the God of the Old Testament was mean, but the God of the New Testament was loving. It’s the same God. Just as a parent needs to be a disciplinarian at times, that doesn’t mean they don’t love their children. In fact, I can still hear my mom saying, “I’m only doing this (punishing you) because I love you.” Have you heard words like that?
It’s true. When we love deeply, we want the best for the other person. We want to help them succeed. We want to cheer them on. We want them to know without a doubt we are there for them. Isn’t that exactly what God is doing for us and for the generations that have gone before us?
Do you set aside a special time each day to meet with God? We don’t need a tabernacle anymore. We can approach the throne of God anytime, anyplace. We do need to make sure our hearts are open and ready to receive him. To hear God, we need to be still. We also need to understand that we won’t always hear from God when we want to hear from him. His timing is perfect, and his answer is sometimes, “wait” or “not now.” He does answer. He is always listening.
There is a peace that comes over me when I remember how much I am loved by God. He has my back. Struggles will come, but I am never alone. Meeting God is one of my favorite things. Listening for his voice is something I’m still working on. Shutting out the noise is probably the hardest thing.
Receiving a message from God is a gift to be treasured. It is not something to be flaunted. Sometimes we mistake what we are hearing as God. The evil one can be very deceptive and lead us down the wrong path very quickly. That’s why it’s so important to have discernment. To know God is the first step so that we will recognize his voice. He will always speak to us consistent with his word.
How do you feel God moving in your life? Are you listening for his direction? Be sure the message you get is truly God.
Let’s pray. Lord, there are so many voices that surround me each day. Sometimes I think it’s you, but then I realize I am being deceived. Give me discernment and help me to hear you clearly above the noise. Clear my cluttered head so that I can hear you loud and clear. I want to be living in your will. Use me, God to bring your light into the world. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
