The book of Exodus closes with a picture of God’s glory indwelling the newly constructed tabernacle. Never before had men erected an edifice to honor God. Through the generations of the faithful they had build altars on which to burn the offerings to God. But the people who knew God the best, as compared to their ignorant and pagan neighbors, had never constructed anything this big to honor God. They built it on God’s timetable and by God’s design. I see that as a picture of the faith in which God wants us to dwell. A faith that submits first to God’s timetable. I know that I am guilty of not aligning my sense of urgency with God’s. Sometimes I want to move very quickly only to be frustrated. Later I learn that I had been moving too fast. Not that God couldn’t keep up, but that he wants me to submit my timing to his. I have also been to slow in my response to his prompting, and missed the opportunity to honor my God. Our faith also needs to conform to God’s plan. I often feel that I have a better grasp on my life and the circumstances around me than God does. So I have the better plan. But such attitudes only put my foolish and selfish heart on display. God not only has a better understanding of what is happening now, but he sees the past and future with equal clarity. His “silly” or “poorly timed” plan will work greater progress for the Kingdom than any plan that I can conceive. When we hold closely to God’s timing and design we will be allowed to see his holy splendor inhabit the work that he has given us to complete.
Stuart
"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." Paul of Tarsus
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