Topic: God’s Sanctuary Among Men [Monday March 27, 2017]
Text: Exodus 25:1-22
Key Verse: “And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel” (Exodus 25:2)
God still seeks to dwell among men. He still craves to continue His fellowship with us just as He did in the Garden of Eden with Adam and Eve. He has a burning desire to have a continuous relationship with man the crown of His creation; hence, the call to the nation of Israel to build a tabernacle unto Him where He would dwell among them. God instructed Moses on the mountain to prepare for the making of a tabernacle wherein He might dwell with man.
He had to invite offerings of various kinds (metals, skins, fabric, oil and spices) from willing minds to contribute towards an abode for Him. In the New Testament, God through the Son came down to dwell among men “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us…” (John 1:14). We are built together for God’s habitation (Ephesians 2:22). As God required the children of Israel to give the best of their golds and other materials for a befitting tabernacle for Him to dwell among them, He requires our hearts for Him to dwell today. The value of our gifts indicates the measurement of how much we value God. The Lord is therefore calling on us today to build a tabernacle unto Him.
We are to first build a tabernacle of our hearts unto Him by yielding the totality of ourselves. Second, we are to build a physical edifice that befits the name of our God by personally putting down gifts in form of money or materials for God’s work in the church. As the children of Israel responded to the call of God, we must be prompt in our response to His call. We must stir up our hearts and make frantic efforts to make our spirit willing. It is only the willing spirit who can offer acceptable service unto God. God puts no value on things we offer to Him without cheerfulness and absolute surrender.
Thought for the day: As you give your best unto the Lord, He will give His best unto you.
Bible Reading in one Year: Joel 1-3
DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
