PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Exodus 25-26
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“Have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them.” (Exodus 25:8)
What an amazing experience for this newborn nation of former slaves.
The awesome Creator God, so beyond us in being and majesty, lives with you.
The details for the building are meant to impress awe in their hearts.
Healthy fear, healthy wonder, so that they don’t begin to view God as domesticated.
Because of Jesus, God lives in us too, so that we are God’s temples (1 Corinthians 3:16).
Through the Spirit, God and Jesus dwell in our hearts in loving fellowship (John 14:23).
We are the temples and the priests of the great, awesome, holy God!
This isn’t meant to frighten us, to make us cower in fear or grovel in servitude.
Yet we should always remember what an awesome thing it is to live in fellowship with God.
Have we lost our awe and wonder at God, have we domesticated Jesus to ‘our buddy Jesus’?
Through Jesus God is in us to transform us, to restore us as holy, happy children!
We must be respectful partners in this process, eager to honor the One that lives in us!
This ought to make us careful how we live, how we act and speak in the presence of God.
“Work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you.” (Philippians 2:12-13)
PRAYER
Lord, that you and God should dwell in me is more awesome than I appreciate. Inspire me with holy love, that I may be a worthy temple for you!
I love the detail and the materials used in making this special connecting place for God to have the evidence of his abiding presence and care for His people. It was a witness to all the peoples around and a source of immense comfort for God’s people. My church ha always been dear to me as well. Going to God’s house to pray, sing praises and focus on a message that explores/meditates/reflects on a passage of scripture gives me comfort and a sense of direction : something I need to work on in my life to draw me closer to God . But most of all the concept that I am now a tabernacle – a temple for the HS – and the HS guides and protects me – comforts me and challenges me to live and walk with Jesus and to serve like him. I know I come short – I’m a work in progress! I pray I always may be!
God dwelling among His people.
Emmanuel. God with us.
God told Moses how to build His dwelling place. It was impressive with all that gold shining. God’s presence is awesome.
But as He promised, He lives in us and through us. I need to shine for Jesus. I need to be His SonShine. Others need to see Jesus living in me. I/We need to all shine for Him. Because He lives I too can live for Him. Help me Lord to be a living letter for You. An epistle read by all who see me and know me.
Living for Jesus, a life that is true,
Striving to please Him in all that I do;
Yielding allegiance, glad-hearted and free,
This is the pathway of blessing for me.
Refrain:
O Jesus, Lord and Savior, I give myself to Thee,
For Thou, in Thy atonement, didst give Thyself for me;
I own no other Master, my heart shall be Thy throne;
My life I give, henceforth to live, O Christ, for Thee alone.