Scripture

Our verse for today comes from Exodus 25:9, “Exactly as I show you concerning the pattern of the tabernacle, and of all its furniture, so you shall make it.”

Background

One of my favorite comic strips showed a husband holding a dish of burnt something. His wife is standing there and says, “I don’t know. I followed the recipe.” And he replies, “Apparently you never caught up to it.” In the class that my daughter goes to at church on Wednesday nights, the girls all have a workbook. And in that workbook are dozens of activities that the girls can complete in order to earn their badges. One of the badges that she is currently working on is her cooking badge. She has learned various terms and the names of many of the utensils and items commonly found in a kitchen, along with successfully completing certain tasks. And one of the things she had to do was follow a recipe and make a dish to give to someone else. She got to see firsthand how important it is to add the correct amount of oil and the right number of eggs and not to confuse the salt with the sugar. And when she followed the recipe, she was rewarded with the delicious food that she hoped for.

Application

Similarly, God gave the Israelites specific instructions as to how to make the tabernacle. And if they followed them, the end result would be a structure worthy of the grandeur and excellence of the One who had just delivered them from Egypt. But what about us today? Are there specific directions for how to be what God wants us to be? Let me ask you this. If there were, would you follow them? Even down to the most minute of details? Would your poles and your thread and the carvings all meet the exact specifications? Would you strive night and day to meet every requirement, overlooking nothing at the cost of all else? If everything depended on whether you did your part perfectly, would you give your all to make sure nothing was lacking? I think I know the answer. I’m certain I know it for myself. We wouldn’t do it. We couldn’t do it. And praise Jesus we don’t have to try. Your faults don’t increase the burden, and your good works don’t get you a pass. So stop striving, and sit at the Master’s table, and eat in peace.

Charge

As we seek Him today, let His forgiveness be enough. Accept it and be changed by it. Make it your goal to get closer to Jesus, and stop trying to make something to bring to Him.

Salvation – Eternal Life in Less Than 150 Words