The Well
The Well |
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Connecting Hope to the Hurting | |
Friday
February 29, 2008
It was Moses' custom to set up the tent known as the Tent of Meeting far
outside the camp. Everyone who wanted to consult with the Lord would go there.
Whenever Moses went out to the Tent of Meeting, all the people would get up
and stand in their tent entrances. They would all watch Moses until he
disappeared inside. As he went into the tent, the pillar of cloud would come
down and hover at the entrance while the Lord spoke with Moses. Then all the
people would stand and bow low at their tent entrances. Inside the Tent of
Meeting, the Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his
friend. Afterward Moses would return to the camp, but the young man who assisted
him, Joshua son of Nun, stayed behind in the Tent of Meeting.
Exodus
33:7-11
Moses' zeal for God is inspirational. One of the most important things to Moses was being obedient to God. We know God gave him specific instructions about the Tent of Meeting, which Moses followed, to a "T". After a day of traveling toward their destination, even though he had to be tired, Moses' custom was to set up the Tent of Meeting ¾ to meet with God and God honored him.
It's been a long time since I faithfully watched Joyce Meyer, but there is one statement she made that stays with me. "We are to do the right thing even when no one else around us is doing it." God honors our determination to be obedient.
Living a life that is inspirational to others isn't easy. It is hard work and takes absolute determination. It is easy to slip into the mindset that we "deserve" to kick back as soon as we finish eating supper and tune in to the TV and tune out the world. That was not Moses' choice. He determined to meet with the Lord, and the Lord showed up.
Imagine how these people felt as they watched the cloud of God come down around the Tent of Meeting. It must have been an awesome sight because it drove them to their knees. Sadly, only one person hungered for God's presence enough to get outside their tent and that was Joshua. Not only did he hunger enough to get outside his tent he went into the Tent of Meeting when Moses left. He too is inspirational.
How about us? Is our hunger for God contagious? What is our custom? Do people recognize that when we take the time to separate ourselves unto God that He shows up? God doesn't limit Himself to one faithful person ¾ His presence is available to anyone willing to hunger and thirst for Him ¾ and who is determined to reach beyond the status quo. I hope one day I make it.
Father, I am tired of complacency I want to experience You in Your fullness. Help me remember the next time a cloud approaches that it just might be my opportunity to enter into Your presence in a new and real way. Lord, prepare me to be a sanctuary ¾ a person with whom You love to abide and who will also refresh others in the process.
