HIS PRESENCE

Exodus 40:33-34

Then he hung the curtains forming the courtyard around the Tabernacle and the altar. And he set up the curtain at the entrance of the courtyard. So at last Moses finished the work.

Then the cloud covered the Tabernacle, and the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle.

As we finish the second book of the bible today - Exodus, we see Moses's completion of the work of building the tabernacle. 

What happened after this?

Exodus 40:34

Then the cloud covered the Tabernacle, and the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle.

Remember this, when we obey the instructions, we prepare the place for God to manifest His power.

We see the same happen when Noah had built the ark the Lord instructed him to build.

Genesis 7:5,16

So Noah did everything as the Lord commanded him.

A male and female of each kind entered, just as God had commanded Noah. Then the Lord closed the door behind them.

We have talked about how obedience is the driving force for God's blessings. It is not only that, we see also that obedience releases God's power in every situation.

Obedience brings about God's presence!

Let us look at what happened after the tabernacle was completed:

Exodus 40:35-38

Moses could no longer enter the Tabernacle because the cloud had settled down over it, and the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle.

Now whenever the cloud lifted from the Tabernacle, the people of Israel would set out on their journey, following it.

But if the cloud did not rise, they remained where they were until it lifted.

The cloud of the Lord hovered over the Tabernacle during the day, and at night fire glowed inside the cloud so the whole family of Israel could see it. This continued throughout all their journeys.

Do we see the essence of preparation to be able to walk with the Lord. God's very presence was there and everyone knew when it was time to go and time to stop. They knew when God was with them in the journey.

Today we understand that the tabernacle is our body(s) as believers. Are we prepared, so that the Lord's presence will be with us? Prompting us on when we are to stop or make a move, turn or take another direction?

I always quote this verse from Paul's letter to the Romans:

Romans 12:1-2

And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Just as the tabernacle was made ready for God's presence to dwell in, we must always be prepared, ready to allow God's presence dwell with us. As individuals and as a church.

Is this what we have been doing?

When people join us in fellowship as new converts, do we train, teach and nourish them to become worthy vessels in that one big tabernacle of the church?

Romans 12:4-5

Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function,

so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.

As parents have we prepared our home to ensure that everyone is part of a tabernacle where God's presence is always available to lead and to guide. Is your alter still burning?

Yes God is omnipresent, however the fact that a radio station is broadcasting does not mean you will receive the broadcast until you are tuned to the frequency. Selah

Are you receptive of God's presence? Are you tuned to the right frequency?

I was saying during one of my teaching that when we look back at some of the prayer points we had years ago, it will look foolish to us today. The Lord who is Alpha and Omega, knows the beginning from the end, so wisdom is trusting in Him in all things. That is why we even need His presence in our prayers. See what Paul says about the Holy Spirit.

Romans 8:26-27

And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.

And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will.

As we gather to worship God be it today or any other day, are we receptive of God's presence? Are we conditioned for His presence to dwell in us individually and as a church?

We are alive, thus there is a lot the Lord can still do IN US, WITH US and THROUGH US. . . . . .Let Him!

Glory to His name forevermore.

He calls us blessed.

Love

@the watcher