Construction Fulfilled and Glory Filled
Notes
Transcript
36:1-7 It’s enough. “When we have the blueprint we can be content.”
36:8-39:43 They made it.
40:1-40:16 It was anointed and consecrated.
40:17-40:33 It was assembled.
40:34-38 The glory of the LORD filled it.
1 “Now Bezalel and Oholiab, and every skillful person in whom the Lord has put skill and understanding to know how to perform all the work in the construction of the sanctuary, shall perform in accordance with all that the Lord has commanded.” 2 Then Moses called Bezalel and Oholiab and every skillful person in whom the Lord had put skill, everyone whose heart stirred him, to come to the work to perform it. 3 They received from Moses all the contributions which the sons of Israel had brought to perform the work in the construction of the sanctuary. And they still continued bringing to him freewill offerings every morning. 4 And all the skillful men who were performing all the work of the sanctuary came, each from the work which he was performing, 5 and they said to Moses, “The people are bringing much more than enough for the construction work which the Lord commanded us to perform.” 6 So Moses issued a command, and a proclamation was circulated throughout the camp, saying, “Let no man or woman any longer perform work for the contributions of the sanctuary.” Thus the people were restrained from bringing any more. 7 For the material they had was sufficient and more than enough for all the work, to perform it.
36:8-38 The tent itself is made.
37:1-29 The pieces within the tent are made.
38:1-20 Everything in the court was made.
38:21-31 The cost of the tabernacle
39:1-31 The garments of the priests were made
39:32- 40:33 The work blessed and anointed.
16 Thus Moses did; according to all that the Lord had commanded him, so he did. 17 Now in the first month of the second year, on the first day of the month, the tabernacle was erected. 18 Moses erected the tabernacle and laid its sockets, and set up its boards, and inserted its bars and erected its pillars. 19 He spread the tent over the tabernacle and put the covering of the tent on top of it, just as the Lord had commanded Moses. 20 Then he took the testimony and put it into the ark, and attached the poles to the ark, and put the mercy seat on top of the ark. 21 He brought the ark into the tabernacle, and set up a veil for the screen, and screened off the ark of the testimony, just as the Lord had commanded Moses. 22 Then he put the table in the tent of meeting on the north side of the tabernacle, outside the veil. 23 He set the arrangement of bread in order on it before the Lord, just as the Lord had commanded Moses. 24 Then he placed the lampstand in the tent of meeting, opposite the table, on the south side of the tabernacle. 25 He lighted the lamps before the Lord, just as the Lord had commanded Moses. 26 Then he placed the gold altar in the tent of meeting in front of the veil; 27 and he burned fragrant incense on it, just as the Lord had commanded Moses. 28 Then he set up the veil for the doorway of the tabernacle. 29 He set the altar of burnt offering before the doorway of the tabernacle of the tent of meeting, and offered on it the burnt offering and the meal offering, just as the Lord had commanded Moses. 30 He placed the laver between the tent of meeting and the altar and put water in it for washing. 31 From it Moses and Aaron and his sons washed their hands and their feet. 32 When they entered the tent of meeting, and when they approached the altar, they washed, just as the Lord had commanded Moses. 33 He erected the court all around the tabernacle and the altar, and hung up the veil for the gateway of the court. Thus Moses finished the work.
34 Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. 35 Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud had settled on it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. 36 Throughout all their journeys whenever the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the sons of Israel would set out; 37 but if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not set out until the day when it was taken up. 38 For throughout all their journeys, the cloud of the Lord was on the tabernacle by day, and there was fire in it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel.
Intro
It’s a phrase we attribute to children, but we’re all asking it if we’re honest, “Are we there yet?” You may recall that first long road trip you took with your kids. You may recall that first road trip you took as a kid. You know you have 3, 4, 5 hours ahead of you, but it’s about 30 minutes into the drive when you hear the question, “Mom, are we there yet?”
There’s some endurance required for little kids on a road trip, and it’s that endurance which begs the question, “When are we done?” “Where is the finish line to this race?”
I’d like to propose that the thought isn’t childish it’s just human. Children are simply quicker to speak what they’re thinking… what we’re all thinking at times. Don’t we all at some time or another in the midst of our endurance find ourselves asking, “Are we there yet?” “When are we done?” “Where is the finish line?”
As we come to a close here in Exodus we’ve been talking about the work entrusted to the Israelites. The work of stewardship to build the tabernacle. The people are called to give of their best in the form of gold and silver and fine materials for the building of the tabernacle, but that extends to their living and service in constructing and assembling the tabernacle. As we come to the end here, Moses takes the time through 4 chapters to convey to His audience that the gifts were given, the work was done, finished, and in the end God did come and dwell among them like he said.
In all that completed work, we actually get a call back to the day that Israel came out of Egypt there at the beginning of chapter 40, the day when God’s plan to dwell among His people was set in motion as they set out to leave Egypt. By God’s sovereignty it’s on that same day that the tabernacle will be assembled. God didn’t have to do it that way, but it’s a reminder to all of Israel: God finishes what he starts.… To us here this day called to steward what we’ve been given in a greater salvation from slavery and endure in faithfulness on the road to eternal glory, it’s a reminder that what Christ has begun in us, He will bring to completion.
As we close the book, it’s my hope that we would find ourselves looking ahead. Last week we considered our stewardship in relation to Christ our Sabbath and what has already been done. This morning I’d like us to finish with looking ahead with faith and assurance knowing that Christ will bring us to the end and our stewardship and endurance will not be in vain.
Our work of stewardship is fueled by the hope that what Christ began He will bring to completion.
Our work of stewardship is fueled by the hope that what Christ began He will bring to completion.
The gifts will be sufficient... because Christ was sufficient. (36:1-7)
The work will be finished... because Christ already finished it. (36:8-40:33)
God will dwell among us... because He has already sealed us with His presence. (40:34-38)
Let’s start there at the beginning of chapter 36.
The gifts will be sufficient... because Christ was sufficient. (36:1-7)
The gifts will be sufficient... because Christ was sufficient. (36:1-7)
We’re at this point in the narrative where Bezalel and Oholiab and all the skilled craftsmen have gathered together to begin the work. They have the blueprint, the Lord’s commandments in hand, they know exactly what they need to do the work that’s ahead of them, and then the gifts and contributions start rolling in. The gifts are so plentiful that as they begin the work they need to tell people to stop giving.
5 and they said to Moses, “The people are bringing much more than enough for the construction work which the Lord commanded us to perform.”
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So Moses sends out this proclamation to all the people, “It’s enough!” “The workers have all they need.”
How many charitable organizations do you know that meet their fundraising goal and send out an email or a mailer and say “It’s enough!” “We don’t need anymore!” Not many I imagine. We all know that even when goals are met there’s going to be more work to do. The extra can be put to good use somewhere to further a cause or a ministry. We expect that, but not here.
The commandments are very clear. This is what the Tabernacle looks like. That’s it! If for some reason the contribution is larger than expected the tabernacle doesn’t get an addition. The priests don’t get nicer robes.
We’re probably used to things going in the other direction, at least in my experience. We set out a set of plans, the resources have been laid out, the work gets started, and then the resources run out, so the plans change. Perhaps in some sense we all know what it’s like to start something, give to something and wonder, “Will it be enough at the end of the day?”
When it comes time to move off to college, will I be ready?
When it comes time to take the test will I have studied enough?
When it comes time for our baby to be born, will we be ready?
Do we think the same way when we consider how we give ourselves to God for the good of the church and His glory. Do we wonder, “Will my offerings be enough, when all is said and done?”
Maybe you’ve thought, “How much more do I have to give before I can be done?”
We all long for “enough” perhaps particularly in a spiritual sense.
There are religions all across the world that standardize what it means to give themselves to the good pleasure of some deity so that they can know, “You’ve done enough.”
Do x, y, and z with this frequency and that will be enough. In truth there’s always a little more work to be done which leaves everyone wondering, “Will it be enough in the end?”
Look at how foreign this scene appears in the grand scheme of every religion. Every religion continues to demand more sacrifices, more temples, more time, more money, but here, the stewards who are to build God’s house tell all of God’s people, “It’s enough!” Why is this different than every other religion? Because the one true and living God provides for His people what He requires of them.
I’d like to paint a picture of three pathways we can take in search of “enough.” There’s a narrow way that truly does lead to great rewards in the end for our sacrifice, but I want to distinguish that from two ditches as well.
The narrow way is the path of the steward.
One ditch is the path of the slave.
The other ditch is the path of the pragmatist.
The path of the steward.
If we understand ourselves as stewards I believe this all becomes a bit more clear. A steward is expected to prosper and cultivate what he has already been given. A good master does not expect more from his servants than what he has already entrusted to them! God is a good master. He is not like Pharaoh who expects his slaves to simply come up with the materials they haven’t been given the means to acquire. “Let them find their own straw” he said. The path of the steward knows the sacrifices he makes in giving himself will be enough in the end; It will be satisfying to God because the steward recognizes all he’s been given already. He doesn’t need to fear the Master’s return because he trusts the master has given Him what He will require of Him.
Should we ever find ourselves looking ahead and wonder, “Will my sacrifices and gifts be enough in the eyes of God?” Let’s be reminded that enough is found in what we’ve already been given not ultimately what we give of ourselves. It’s only when we try to bring to God something he has not already given us that our sacrifices and giving will be found wanting.
What is it then that we’ve been given? What is the abundance from which all our gifts and sacrifices are presented to God and found acceptable? Remember the Sabbath! Remember the Savior we have in Jesus Christ who’s given us His Word, eternal life, changed hearts, renewed minds, and all the means to walk pleasing in the eyes of God as sons and daughters. Consider what we’ve been given and know that He is more than enough!
Listen to how Paul describes his work of ministry.
9 For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building. 10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each man must be careful how he builds on it. 11 For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work.
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I believe Paul is describing a very similar scene to what we see here in our text, but notice where this gold, silver, and precious stones are coming from. The implication here is that anything else is unworthy of God’s house, unable to withstand the purifying fire. So what is it that will stand and be found enough in the end?
According to the grace of God which was given to me.… There’s nothing that Paul is contributing to this building that’s of himself. Paul is simply a steward of the grace which has been given to Him. That’s what will be found enough.
Furthermore, “For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Servants of God are not expected to contribute beyond what has already been found in Christ. He is the rock, the foundation, the one through whom we find all the graces and means to give of ourselves to the work of ministry God has called us to.
In short, the narrow way to that great announcement, “It is enough.” is the way of the steward. Giving to God all that has already been given us in Christ Jesus, and it’s when we recognize the sufficiency that’s in Christ to give of ourselves and to do the work we’ve been called to do that we avoid the two other ditches:
The ditch of slavery:
There are so many who don’t recognize what they’ve been given. They constantly fear that in the end that all their contributions and sacrifices won’t be enough, that somehow it will fall short and so they find themselves like Israel in slavery looking for straw they weren’t provided. I fear there are genuine Christians who have set their faith in Christ, and yet have believed the lie that something is lacking in what Christ has provided. They’ve been given the food to eat, the water to drink, the clay, sand, and water to make bricks, but there’s something missing that you need to provide yourself. There are Christians out there looking for straw, to make bricks of their own provision when God has already given them all they need. He’s already given them enough! At the heart of the slave is that simple yet detrimental belief that God hasn’t given me enough. The moment that belief starts to creep in we shouldn’t be surprised to see fear and anxiety and insecurity come with it. If that heart describes you today, I’d encourage you: It doesn’t matter how much straw you add to the pile, it was never required in the first place. God’s house is made of gold and he’s already provided it in the grace we find in Jesus Christ.
The ditch of pragmatism:
There are those who believe what they’ve been given isn’t enough so they look for more out of fear, the slave, but there are those who believe they do have enough, but think that adding to it would make it better. It’s the same practice as the slave just with a different heart. You’ll notice the workers who are about to build the tabernacle aren’t incorporating any new materials into the mix at the last minute. “Hey someone gave a whole cart load of exotic hardwood. Let’s incorporate that somewhere.” Enough isn’t the sum of what we think is best, it’s the sum of what God requires.
At the heart of the pragmatist is pride, thinking they know what enough looks like. “I determine when we say enough, keep the contributions coming… it could always be bigger, it could always be better...” Oftentimes God does provide his stewards with greater impact that looks like 10 talents put to good use and a crop reaping 100 fold. Praise God for the Lord’s grace in those ministries, but sometimes the gold, silver, and precious stones, the temple of God in which the Spirit dwells has a lot of additions attached to it made of wood, hay and straw because someone thought they could add to what God required and make it better. In the end, enough is what God loves, what God desires not what we love, not what we desire, and what God loves is the Spirit of Christ at work in the church such that we look like the person of Christ.
In the end we can oftentimes avoid the ditch of pragmatism, by keeping things humble and simple. It takes humility at times to be a steward. We set aside what can I contribute and simply ask, what has God given me? We lay aside all that we like and enjoy and simply ask what has God said he loves and enjoys? Again, it’s the heart of steward that trusts that the Father will be satisfied with his own Son! That is enough.
There’s a similar longing in all of us that sits alongside the desire to have given enough, it’s the desire for completion and fulfillment, To see the work finished.
The work will be finished... because Christ already finished it. (36:8-40:33)
The work will be finished... because Christ already finished it. (36:8-40:33)
The book of Exodus closes with this finished work of the tabernacle. Moses begins in 36:8 with the tent and moves from section to section rehearsing all the commands of the Lord given previously, but instead of God saying “You shall....” like we saw starting in chapter 25, Moses is saying, “He made” or “they made”. Piece by piece the whole tabernacle is made just as the Lord commanded. The priests garments are made. The whole tabernacle is assembled, The pieces of the tabernacle are anointed, the priests are anointed, the sacrifices are offered, all... just as the Lord commanded.
It comes to this satisfying conclusion in 40:33 as Moses puts the finishing touches on the “front door” if you will.
33 He erected the court all around the tabernacle and the altar, and hung up the veil for the gateway of the court. Thus Moses finished the work.
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I just want to step back a bit ( if we haven’t already) and put chapter 32 and the golden calf next to this verse. Not that long ago the whole of Israel was worshipping a golden calf at the foot of the mountain of God and here we are after something like 6 months: the work of the tabernacle is finished! It’s done!
If you were an Israelite at the foot of the mountain and you saw Moses smash the ten commandments up against a rock and someone told you, “You know in 6 months the tabernacle is going to be finished.” Would you have believed him? I probably wouldn’t have. But even if you did believe him, I’m willing to bet your reasoning wouldn’t be, “Wow, we must really get our act together in 6 months.”
The only reason this work comes to a finish is because of God Himself.
6 Then the Lord passed by in front of him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth; 7 who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin; —-
but even more than that it was God who put it in the hearts of His people to work as they did!
6 “And behold, I Myself have appointed with him Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan; and in the hearts of all who are skillful I have put skill, that they may make all that I have commanded you:
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Let’s go one step further! Notice with me the day in which God has ordained the tabernacle to be finished.
1 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “On the first day of the first month you shall set up the tabernacle of the tent of meeting.
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You might recall that it was God’s deliverance of Israel from slavery in Egypt that inaugurated a whole new calendar for the people of Israel. When God begins to provide instructions on the passover lamb he begins with the new calendar:
1 Now the Lord said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, 2 “This month shall be the beginning of months for you; it is to be the first month of the year to you.
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At this point in Israel’s history as they’re about to assemble the tabernacle, after they’ve wandered away from God in idolatry, God in his sovereignty has ordained this day of finishing the tabernacle to correspond with the time in which he was bringing them out of slavery. A work begun and a work finished all in the same day.
If Israel were to ask, “How did we get here given our rebellion?” They ought to certainly look to who God is and how he revealed Himself: compassionate and gracious. They ought to look back to the way God equipped them for the work, the riches and the heart to work, but even before that God reminds them of the work he began.
What God starts, God finishes, and it’s only by his grace to provide us what we need, his mercy to bear with our weakness that we arrive at the end and the work is finished.
There are some of us who are more internally focused and ask, “Will I have given enough?” Hopefully we’ve addressed that concern already, but there are perhaps those of us who are more externally focused and look around at all the work that needs to be done. Just look out the window at the world. Look at how incomplete things are. Look at how many peoples and nations have yet to hear the gospel. We see the consequences and pervasiveness of sin and the thought of a finish line may just seem so far away we don’t even bother thinking about it. All of a sudden this work starts to feel like a meaningless tread mill that has no end at all.
I’d like to encourage us today knowing that even Israel at the foot of the mountain had the work of God to look back to. And whether they realized it then or not, that work which He began, He was going to bring to completion through even a sinful and faulty people.
How much more for us!
We have the Son of God, Jesus Christ hanging on a cross having fulfilled all righteousness and taking upon Himself the sins of all His saints saying “It is finished.” As much as there is a very real work ahead of us. Paul admits readily there is a work of ministry for Him in the building up of the church in the advancement of the kingdom, but we have something very real that was finished in our rearview mirror. The very work of salvation has been accomplished! Freedom from slavery to sin has been delivered to us. We are redeemed this day. That is a work that God Himself will bring to its rightful end. There will come a day as ugly as this world may seem today, as much work as there is before us, there will come a day in which the church will be built in full. Not a saint will be missing. Every one of us will be made perfect and glorified because God is our Savior and God is our sanctifier.
Let’s recognize the difference between confidence in progress and confidence in the worker.
I’ve come to understand since I’ve been here that I75 has been under construction for a couple decades now. I get the impression there are a lot of people who are probably asking, “When will it be finished????” Maybe this is just a sandbox where there’s no real definite end everything just keeps getting torn down and rebuilt for the fun of it. In a broken world, hope for the finish really only comes when the end is in sight because we know some projects don’t get finished. Hope and confidence is often dependent upon progress. “If you’re sitting there at the foot of the mountain with a golden calf and broken tablets there’s no worldly understanding that would conclude: “You know what, it’s fine… Everything’s fine… we’re just going to try again and do better next time. There is no progress at all! They’re actively abandoning God.” Progress ought to be encouraging, but it’s not the substance of our confidence in a finished tabernacle, the church complete and holy before God Himself.
There’s a different kind of confidence though that’s independent of progress. It’s the confidence that begins with the question, “Who’s overseeing this project? Who started it?” There are some people who’ve established great reputations. They’ve displayed their competence with things and everyone knows. If they started it, they’re going to finish it. There may be hiccups along the way, but they’re going to finish it!
Again, how much more with God?!
When Moses finally hangs the curtain to the entry of the tabernacle, in one sense there shouldn’t be any surprise at all. When God said he was going to deliver us from slavery that we might serve Him and dwell among us that wasn’t wishful thinking. God started it! He was going to bring it about, so here we are. The tabernacle: finished.
You may recall from our series in Philippians how Paul conveys the same confidence with regard to the church, a confidence in who started the work.
6 For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.
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Paul is assured that the work is going to be finished. They will be perfect at the day of Christ. Does that mean Paul is done? Paul, signing off. See you in glory. No, that’s Paul’s very motivation to see their ongoing progress.
He continues later in the chapter.
Paul wants to go to be with Christ in glory, but he knows he has work to do while he’s still live.
24 yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith,
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Here’s the takeaway: Our confidence that the work will be finished ought to fuel our pursuit of progress and not the other way around. Our progress isn’t the foundation of our hope in the finished work. The substance of our hope that the work will be completed is that God brought us out of slavery. Christ has fulfilled all righteousness and accounted that to us through faith. Christ has paid the penalty for our sins on the cross. We are now adopted sons and daughters, that work which he began gives us hope that He will bring it to an end. In the end, might we look around as Paul did. Devoted to remaining and continuing with one another for each other's progress and joy in the faith precisely because we know the Lord finishes what he starts.
Let’s look to the glorious finish here. The hope we have in this finished work is ultimately the hope that we will be fit for the presence of God among us.
God will dwell among us... because He has already sealed us with His presence. (40:34-38)
God will dwell among us... because He has already sealed us with His presence. (40:34-38)
34 Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. 35 Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud had settled on it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. 36 Throughout all their journeys whenever the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the sons of Israel would set out; 37 but if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not set out until the day when it was taken up. 38 For throughout all their journeys, the cloud of the Lord was on the tabernacle by day, and there was fire in it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel.
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There has been a lot of resistance and trial and rebellion in getting to this point.
This whole story started with a people in slavery with their newborn sons being killed by Pharaoh and yet out of that God provided a deliverer in Moses.
It turns out Moses didn’t want the job and was resistant to the calling and yet God provided Aaron to accompany him.
When Moses told Pharaoh it was time to let the people go, he gave them even more work. Pharaoh was no match for God who would bring Pharaoh to ruin with plagues bringing His people out.
When Israel was trapped before the Red Sea and the people despaired, God led them across on dry ground and let them watch the armies of Egypt be buried beneath the sea.
When Israel complained for food God provided manna and quail.
When Israel complained for water God provided water from a rock.
When the armies of Amalek came before them God provided the victory.
When the people despaired at the sight of God Himself he gave them instructions for the tabernacle.
When the people turned to false gods believing they were left alone, God restored this people in mercy and patience.
I hope that as we come to the end of the book of Exodus we would recognize that there is nothing that can keep God from His mission to dwell among His people again. From the moment Adam and Eve left that perfect fellowship of God in garden and were barred from entering... God’s plan of redemption was already in motion. He was going to make a way for even sinful, idolatrous people to once again know His fellowship once again. That fellowship wasn’t going to be granted to the most worthy, the most powerful, the most wise or rich. It was going to go to the least. The slaves who were desperate for a deliverer.
For us we recognize this is but the beginning of the story, but let’s not overlook the magnificent step that it is. God among men in the fullness of glory. No more far off mountains. No more wondering, “Where is God?” Through the rest of Israel’s journey on their way to the promised land they will always be able to look and see the cloud or the fire. Even as they wander for 40 years, God will be there! They will not be like the other nations making golden images of their gods because their God - the only God - creator of heaven and earth - will be among them, with them! How gracious and merciful God is!
This is really a magnificent ending to the book, but it’s hard not to see the incomplete.
Not even Moses, their favored prophet was able to enter the tent of meeting in that moment. Furthermore, the tent itself functions such that God will be there amongst His people, but a veil remains: A separation between holy God and even His covenant people.
Having seen the resistance and trial and rebellion which God in His faithfulness has faithfully endured to be among His people we should anticipate even here in Exodus 40 when even that veil will be torn and God will take that next step to dwell among His holy and redeemed people.
Friends, we know that next step which God took.
Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came to walk among us, die for us, offer Himself as the perfect sacrifice on the tree - a sacrifice once and for all that a way through the veil might be made. A way back into the garden. For those who’ve set their faith in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of their sins believing in His death and resurrection, He has come to dwell among us! He’s given us the Holy Spirit. There is no more veil! There is no more separation. We are one with Him, He says. We are united with Christ. We have seen His glory and there is nothing the can separate us from Him!
Before Jesus ascends into heaven He calls his disciples to go and make disciples. To give of themselves to the very end in service of the kingdom, and what is the comfort he gives them as He calls them? What hope do they have as they endure?
20 and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
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In all of our giving, in all of our work, Christ is with us in the Holy Spirit. Today, we have His fellowship! We have the comfort of the presence of God with us. A presence which will last to all eternity, and yet there is yet one more step as glorious as this is!
John speaks of God’s plan of redemption coming to its fulfillment in the book of Revelation. A great hope for us in our life of discipleship:
3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, 4 and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.”
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As much as we have seen His glory in the person of Christ, and the presence of God dwells among us in the Spirit, we still have a taste of that wilderness. There’s a cost to a life of discipleship. There are trials and tears, pain, and sorrow. There’s no denying that… but it’s my hope this morning that we would see God’s determination to dwell among us - to welcome us back into the garden. He’s given us the seal of the Holy Spirit today that we might look ahead and know, our tears will be wiped away as we see Him face to face. Whatever trials or resistance we may face in this life, because we are one with Christ by the Spirit, we will know and experience God in all His perfection for all eternity. There is nothing that can hinder God’s commitment to be united to His own.
Might we rejoice in that truth this morning.
Might we encourage one another with that truth this morning as we continue this journey together.
Might we press on in perseverance for the hope we have in that glorious eternity with God.
Let’s pray.
