SCRIPTURE: Exodus 40
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counsellor to be with you forever — the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. [John 14:16-17]
The cloud that filled the temple and led the people through the wilderness symbolizes the Holy Spirit.
The Tent of Meeting and its furnishings symbolizes the restored personal relationship we can have with God through Jesus, by the Spirit.
• Tent of Meeting: we meet face to face with God, through Jesus
• ark of the Testimony: God’s communication of truth, of Himself
• altar of incense: our communication of faith, prayer
• altar of burnt offering: the sacrifice for atonement, Jesus’ death
• water for cleansing: baptism, for forgiveness and renewal
• anointing oil: the Holy Spirit renewing, sanctifying us
We may meet with God, hear God and talk with God because of Jesus’ sacrifice on our behalf, baptized in water and in the Holy Spirit.
In this restored relationship, the Spirit of God is with us and in us.
The cloud of fire that filled the tabernacle and led Israel symbolized the Spirit of God.
As children of God and followers of Jesus (the New Moses), we are now baptized (filled) with God’s Spirit; we are now the tabernacles (or temples) of the Spirit.
Like Israel, we see (or sense) the Spirit everywhere, during all our travels.
Those who do not follow Jesus cannot understand this, they cannot see or sense the Spirit.
Like Israel, the Spirit of glory is with and in us [2 Corinthians 3:17-18, 1 Peter 4:14].
We are led by the Spirit [Galatians 5:18].
He is our Counsellor, our guide, our source of truth.
We are not alone, we are not helpless.
Do I sense the Spirit within me, do I feel filled, surrounded, empowered?
This is the reality for every believer, baptized with the Spirit.
Do I walk with God through life, talking with Him face to face through Jesus?
This is the life that we can now live?
And yet so many people live as if they were not filled, anointed, empowered.
Living in the Spirit is a blessing we can enjoy now.
All we have to do is seek it [Luke 11:13, John 7:38-39]
PRAYER:
Lord, open my eyes so that I may see the Spirit of glory in me, with me, throughout the journey of my life.
Just as the Lord commanded is a refrain throughout this passage. Moses was in step with the Father – His God. And all this took place while in the desert – and setting it up. God did not wait until they were in the new land, but now. And His presence and leading was show all during their travels – by the cloud and fire.
God has given His Word and now is the time to obey it. God has told His people to follow His leading and now is the time to obey Him. God has given His presence by His Spirit and now is the time to obey.
God gave His people strength by His presence and He continues to give His people strength by His Spirit. Do we loose our vision like His people then? His glory was physically present and yet the people lost their way. God is with His people today and is with them in all their travels. Do I walk with Him each day?
He gives strength for the journey so that each day we can walk in His SonShine.
1. God gives His people strength.
If we believe in His way, He’s swift to repay
All those who bear the burden of the day
God gives His people strength.
2. God gives His people hope
If we but trust in His word, our prayers are always heard
He warmly welcomes anyone who’s erred.
God gives His people hope.
3. God gives His people love
If we but open wide our hearts, He’s sure to do His part
He’s always the first to make a start.
God gives His people love.
4. God gives His people peace.
When sorrow fills us to the brim, and courage grows dim
He lays to rest our restlessness in Him.
God gives His people peace.