Day 31, or January the 31st. Obedience produces
spectacular results. Our thoughts today are rooted
in Exodus chapter 40, verse 35. Moses could not
enter the tent of meeting, because the cloud
had settled on it, and the glory of the Lord
filled the tabernacle. First the big picture
surrounding this verse. Finally, The priest's
clothes were made, and everything was ready.
Moses inspected every item before the tabernacle
could be erected. How fulfilled he must have
felt as he thought back to Egypt and how far
the children of Israel had come since then. The
special day had finally arrived for the tabernacle
to be built, and it was early spring in the Christian
calendar, the first day of the first month for
the Jews, almost a year after the Passover was
established. What a sensational event, and what
a time for celebration! The tabernacle was erected
first, then covered by the larger tent made of
goat's hair. Then all the furniture was put in
place, including the Ark of the Covenant. The
lamps were lit and fragrant incense burned, all
in accordance with God's instructions to Moses.
As soon as the last pieces were put into place,
a cloud descended and the glory of the Lord filled
the whole place. Moses had to delay his entry
because the tabernacle was completely filled
with the glory of the Lord. Now our action step
for today. God has delivered all that he promised
and then he fills the tabernacle as confirmation
that his people are on the right track now. I
feel sure there have been times in your life
too, when everything was just perfect. Times
when you enjoyed and revelled in a high spiritual
experience. Many trials and temptations were
to follow for Israel. The same is true for us
too. This is not meant to be a wet blanket to
douse your enjoyment. Be sure you enjoy it fully
because life is not one big spiritual high, so
don't expect it to be. Soak it up in good times
and recall them when you need encouragement.
If you don't have low times, you won't enjoy
the high times half as much.