Today’s reading is Exodus 40.
For the cloud of the Lord was on the tabernacle by day, and fire was in it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel throughout all their journeys.
Exodus 40:38
In this chapter, God gives the Israelites instructions for building the tabernacle of the tent of meeting which was a portable structure to travel with them that above all things housed the ark of the covenant which held the Ten Commandments. The verse above tells us they knew the presence of the Lord was there to lead them through a cloud during the day and fire by night. There are also times when the Israelites would leave stones or build an altar so that they, and most importantly future generations, would remember what God had done for them. We know this from Joshua 4:20-24 where they left stones at the place they crossed the Jordan River into the promised land after God dried it up and also in Exodus 17:14-16 where Moses built an altar to remind them of their victory over Amalek. Jacob also built an altar at Bethel in Genesis 28:18-22, and Samuel set up a stone in 1 Samuel 7:12 calling it Ebenezer meaning, “Thus far the Lord has helped us.”
We may not have the benefit today of “seeing” the Lord’s presence in a cloud or pillar of fire, but when we develop a relationship with God and grow closer to him, we notice how he’s shows up and the blessings He gives us that are not coincidences. We reflect on things like the business he helped us start from scratch or our career, a child’s laugh, your spouse, noticing the car running the red light and stopping just in time, the health tests that came back clear, or even the friend or parent that introduced your to Jesus. While your health, your marriage, your job/career, or other things may not be perfect, we can find blessings in most all of them and how God provided if we reflect on them. James 4:8 says, “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” While James was not writing related to this context, I believe it still applied. I had someone close to me who struggled dealing with challenges he faced in life. He would consistently focus on what he didn’t have like a spouse or children. Sadly, he struggled on being grateful for what God did provide for him like a mother and later brother who loved and cared for him and that he didn’t have to worry about money at all through qualifying for disability income through multiple sources. I’m blessed to have an amazing spouse and children, so it saddens me he didn’t have the same and can’t blame him for struggling that he didn’t have this. Yet, what I’ve witnessed in others is that when they grow closer to God, they notice and are able to focus on and be grateful for the countless ways God has blessed them despite their challenges. This also allows them to know when they are lonely and fearful, God is still there and He will help them as He did in the past.
So, my questions for you and myself today are the following….
- What are we doing to grow our relationship with God?
- Have we reflected how God has showed up and provided in our lives?
- Have we “set up stones” to be able to tell our children and others about God’s presence and what He’s done in our lives, so will we will remember to trust Him with the uncertainty of our future?
