Devotionals for March 26, 2024
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READ
Exodus 25:8-19 (NIV)
“Then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them. 9 Make this tabernacle and all its furnishings exactly like the pattern I will show you.
10 Have them make an ark of acacia wood—two and a half cubits long, a cubit and a half wide, and a cubit and a half high. 11 Overlay it with pure gold, both inside and out, and make a gold molding around it.
16 Then put in the ark the tablets of the covenant law, which I will give you. 17 Make an atonement cover of pure gold—two and a half cubits long and a cubit and a half wide. 18 And make two cherubim out of hammered gold at the ends of the cover. 19 Make one cherub on one end and the second cherub on the other; make the cherubim of one piece with the cover, at the two ends.”
“Then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them. 9 Make this tabernacle and all its furnishings exactly like the pattern I will show you.
10 Have them make an ark of acacia wood—two and a half cubits long, a cubit and a half wide, and a cubit and a half high. 11 Overlay it with pure gold, both inside and out, and make a gold molding around it.
16 Then put in the ark the tablets of the covenant law, which I will give you. 17 Make an atonement cover of pure gold—two and a half cubits long and a cubit and a half wide. 18 And make two cherubim out of hammered gold at the ends of the cover. 19 Make one cherub on one end and the second cherub on the other; make the cherubim of one piece with the cover, at the two ends.”
REFLECT
Sanctuary. God’s dwelling place. The presence of God. These are all huge themes throughout all of Scripture. In the above passage, God guides His people on how to make a holy and set apart location for Him to dwell among them. Notice how God instructs them on a specific “pattern.” Though people built the sanctuary, it was all God’s design. And part of God’s design is the ark, which contains the Law, and an “atonement cover” over it. This ark and cover reside in the innermost place of the sanctuary, and God’s presence dwells above the ark. Later, the New Testament explains how Jesus is that place of atonement, and it’s only through Him — by God’s design — that He can dwell in us as His six-foot sanctuaries.
APPLY
Q: Why is it important God initiates the plan and design of His sanctuary?
Q: How do you keep yourself focused on being a dwelling place for God?
Q: How does God’s presence dwelling in His church today affect your view of others?
Q: How do you keep yourself focused on being a dwelling place for God?
Q: How does God’s presence dwelling in His church today affect your view of others?
SING
PRAY
"May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven."
Lord, thank you for your design and plans. You know all things. I pray that your kingdom comes into my life now. Help me to love you with all of my strength and soul. Help me to love others as you love them. Father, I look forward to when you come again in your fullness. Until then, help me live as your sanctuary. Amen.
Lord, thank you for your design and plans. You know all things. I pray that your kingdom comes into my life now. Help me to love you with all of my strength and soul. Help me to love others as you love them. Father, I look forward to when you come again in your fullness. Until then, help me live as your sanctuary. Amen.