Exodus 25-28

In Exodus 25-28, Moses was up on top of Mount Sinai with God for forty days and forty nights.  God speaks to Moses and gives him explicit, detailed directions for building and setting up the tabernacle, the Ark of the Covenant, and all the furnishings and accessories to go inside it.  I got a little lost in the specifics of all the directions, so the visuals really helped me have a better understanding of these things.  Basically, God asks Moses to lead His people in building a portable sanctuary.  It's a place where God can be with the Israelites, and the Israelites can worship God as they travel through the wilderness to the Promised Land.

God has something specific He wants Moses to do, so God spends a lot of time telling Moses exactly how to do it.  He doesn't leave out a single detail of this big building project.  This is the beginning of God physically dwelling with His people wherever they go.

9 Make this tabernacle and all its furnishings exactly like the pattern I will show you.

Exodus 25:9

Yesterday, I took comfort from the fact that sometimes God works through us, little by little.  Well, today's reading shows us that at other times, God reveals ways He needs us to work for Him right away.

So, how will we know the difference, when God needs us to wait and when He needs us to act? 

It's simple.  He will tell us.

For starters, Moses and God take time away from the noise and busyness of the Israelite crowd.  They go to a secluded spot.  We all need that kind of uninterrupted time with God to really know and hear the details of what He needs us to do for Him.

Also, in this case, I can't help but notice that Moses does most of the listening.  I think sometimes I spend way too much time talking to God about my prayers when what I really need is more time to just listen to Him.  I can't possibly hear God's direction if I am the one doing all the talking.  

Finally, like Moses, we have to recognize God's ultimate, sovereign authority in the matters of our lives.  Moses' faithfulness inspires us to do that without question.

While Mount Sinai isn't in most of our backyards, we all need a place to spend time away from the hustle and bustle to be with God, to be still, and to listen to His voice.  

A prayer for today-

Dear God,

Thank You for dwelling with me.  Speak to my heart.  Help me to hear Your voice.  I pray for Your direction today and always.

I know ___________ [those on your mind] all need You to wrap them in Your loving arms.  Fill them with Your peace and comfort their aching hearts with Your voice, please, Lord.  May they feel uplifted by the power of this prayer.

In the name of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, I pray,

Amen

Blessings,

*This post is part of A Mind-Maker-Upper's Everyday Reading Project.  Click here to read more.