February 9 - Exodus 25:1-28:43

Good morning everyone,

This morning’s reading begins with a specific set of instructions God gave Moses on the mountain for the construction and furnishings of the tabernacle. But first they will need some capital and ask for an offering. The Lord said to Moses, “Tell the Israelites to bring me an offering. You are to receive the offering for me from everyone whose heart prompts them to give.” Please note that they were not ordered to give. God hoped that they would love Him enough to want to give. Make sense? Remember that they were not a wealthy people, the money, the treasures they had came from what they had taken from the Egyptians before the exodus. Remember? God provided now, God guided, and as it happened the people were more than happy to give back to the church a portion of what He had blessed them with.

Now, I’ve got to say, I am absolutely blown away by how specific the plans, God gave to Moses for the construction of the tabernacle, the table, the lamp stand the ark, its cover, the curtains, the everything were. All the the detail is so perfect, it excites me. It is so right up my alley. I love order and knowing exactly what is expected, and that is what God allowed them. He told Moses, “Make this tabernacle and all its furnishings exactly like the pattern I will show you.” Then about the lamp stand, “See that you make them according to the pattern shown you on the mountain,” and the alter of burnt offerings, “It is to be made just as you were shown on the mountain.” Every measurement was to be exact, every talent of gold was to be measured out, God left no room for questions on anything.

May I suggest to you that  God is no different with the plans for our lives. God said to Jeremiah, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” Friends, think about that for just one minute. Before we were even formed in our mother’s womb He knew us and had a plan for our lives. Not a plan of failure or complacency. Oh no! A great plan, a perfect plan. God says, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Hope, according to Webster, is an optimistic attitude of mind based on an expectation of positive outcomes related to events and circumstances in one's life or the world at large. 

The Bible is abundantly clear that there is a plan for our future. Psalm 33:11 tells us that, “The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of His heart from generation to generation.” And this plan is fail-safe, every detail is taken into account. God’s plan is all-inclusive. It is based on His omniscience (knowing all), so that everything past, present, and future is taken into account. It excludes “good luck” or coincidences and includes seemingly insignificant details all designed to bring glory to the father.

However unlike the tabernacle and all its content, the plans God has for our lives are, much to my dismay, not as detailed. While God has revealed all that we need to know about His plan for creation, there is much He has purposed not to reveal to us. We are instructed not to seek to fill these gaps as secret things belong to the Lord. I believe we could not mentally handle all God has planned for us, if made known. Make sense? God trusts that we will walk in faith, The Lord says in Psalm 125:1-2, “Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people both now and forevermore.” So while there is no real set of “first A then B” instructions for our lives, there is a promise that “If we will but trust and obey”, if we will, “Be strong and courageous!”if we “Do not be afraid!” The Lord our God will go ahead of us. He will neither fail you nor will He forsake us. I love that promise, and believe we should all purpose to live that plan. Amen?

Have a great day and to God be the glory.

God bless you all …..