Day of Glory
Exodus 40:34-38: "Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. And Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud settled on it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. Throughout all their journeys, whenever the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the people of Israel would set out. But if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not set out till the day that it was taken up. For the cloud of the Lord was on the tabernacle by day, and fire was in it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel throughout all their journeys."
Now that the tabernacle was fully erected and everything was in place, the Israelites beheld a glorious thing-the very cloud that had led them through their wanderings now hovered above the tabernacle. The glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. Once again, the Lord was dwelling with his people, dwelling in the very center of their camp. His glory was so thick and full that Moses could not enter the tent. There was room for God alone. Surely this was a great celebration for the nation of Israel.
The tabernacle now stood right in the center of the Israelite camp. This strategic positioning held great significance. The Lord sat in the center of the camp, and the lives of the Israelites were to revolve around his throne. As the one true God, the Lord was to be at the center of their worship, their families, their fellowship, their work, and their recreation. On the move, God's presence would be their guiding light and pillar to always provide the course that was true.
There is much for us to learn from this portion of the Israelites' journey. After great failure, they have returned humbly to the Lord. They have repented and turned from their sin. They have recommitted themselves to obey the Lord and to follow his commandments. They have contributed joyfully of their earthly goods to the building of the tabernacle. They have followed the directions of the Lord in the building of the tabernacle, and they have erected the tabernacle at the very center of their camp. The Lord then dwelt among them, filling the tabernacle with his presence and glory. As the Israelites were called to move towards the promised land, God would guide them with his cloud of presence. They always knew when to stay and when to move. Obedience to the Lord led to their safety, guidance, provision, and ultimately to their land of promise.
The Lord calls us to have him at the center of all aspects of our lives-worship, family, community, work, and recreation. Paul says it this way, "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God" (1 Corinthians 10:31). Allow the Lord to sit on the throne of your life, to be your king, your Savior, your guide, and your authority. Obey all his directives for your life, submit yourself to his Word, his way, and his truth. He reveals these to you through the written Word of Scripture, and he directs and convicts you through his presence living within you through the Holy Spirit. Open your heart to his conviction and direction.
Our journey to the promised land will also be quite challenging at times. While most of us do not have to live in tents night after night, there will be temptations, distractions, hardship, and loss. In each of these challenges, the Lord is with you. He will sustain, hold, comfort, provide, and guide. As you surrender to him and allow him to rule in your life, you too will see his glory. Though you only see glimpses for now, ultimately you will fully see his face. In this time between the glimpse and the full revelation, will you allow him to guide you in every aspect of your life? Trust and obey him. Moses and the Israelites saw the fruit of their obedience and so will you. Put the Lord at the center of your life, embrace his will and way, and behold his glory in this world and the world to come.
Reflection:
What is at the center of your life-work, family, money, appearance, success? Take a few minutes to ask the Lord to search your heart and to reveal anything that seeks to take his rightful place the center of your life. Repent of earthly distractions, and ask him to help you to recommit to whole-heartedly follow him for the rest of your life.
Now that the tabernacle was fully erected and everything was in place, the Israelites beheld a glorious thing-the very cloud that had led them through their wanderings now hovered above the tabernacle. The glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. Once again, the Lord was dwelling with his people, dwelling in the very center of their camp. His glory was so thick and full that Moses could not enter the tent. There was room for God alone. Surely this was a great celebration for the nation of Israel.
The tabernacle now stood right in the center of the Israelite camp. This strategic positioning held great significance. The Lord sat in the center of the camp, and the lives of the Israelites were to revolve around his throne. As the one true God, the Lord was to be at the center of their worship, their families, their fellowship, their work, and their recreation. On the move, God's presence would be their guiding light and pillar to always provide the course that was true.
There is much for us to learn from this portion of the Israelites' journey. After great failure, they have returned humbly to the Lord. They have repented and turned from their sin. They have recommitted themselves to obey the Lord and to follow his commandments. They have contributed joyfully of their earthly goods to the building of the tabernacle. They have followed the directions of the Lord in the building of the tabernacle, and they have erected the tabernacle at the very center of their camp. The Lord then dwelt among them, filling the tabernacle with his presence and glory. As the Israelites were called to move towards the promised land, God would guide them with his cloud of presence. They always knew when to stay and when to move. Obedience to the Lord led to their safety, guidance, provision, and ultimately to their land of promise.
The Lord calls us to have him at the center of all aspects of our lives-worship, family, community, work, and recreation. Paul says it this way, "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God" (1 Corinthians 10:31). Allow the Lord to sit on the throne of your life, to be your king, your Savior, your guide, and your authority. Obey all his directives for your life, submit yourself to his Word, his way, and his truth. He reveals these to you through the written Word of Scripture, and he directs and convicts you through his presence living within you through the Holy Spirit. Open your heart to his conviction and direction.
Our journey to the promised land will also be quite challenging at times. While most of us do not have to live in tents night after night, there will be temptations, distractions, hardship, and loss. In each of these challenges, the Lord is with you. He will sustain, hold, comfort, provide, and guide. As you surrender to him and allow him to rule in your life, you too will see his glory. Though you only see glimpses for now, ultimately you will fully see his face. In this time between the glimpse and the full revelation, will you allow him to guide you in every aspect of your life? Trust and obey him. Moses and the Israelites saw the fruit of their obedience and so will you. Put the Lord at the center of your life, embrace his will and way, and behold his glory in this world and the world to come.
Reflection:
What is at the center of your life-work, family, money, appearance, success? Take a few minutes to ask the Lord to search your heart and to reveal anything that seeks to take his rightful place the center of your life. Repent of earthly distractions, and ask him to help you to recommit to whole-heartedly follow him for the rest of your life.
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