DAY 164 - BIG PICTURE IN A YEAR - THE LAW
MOSES AND AARON THEN WENT INTO THE TENT OF MEETING. WHEN THEY CAME OUT, THEY BLESSED THE PEOPLE; AND THE GLORY OF THE LORD AP- PEARED TO ALL THE PEOPLE. FIRE CAME OUT FROM THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD.
Leviticus 9: 23-24
Reading: Genesis 3: 8; 4: 14-16; Exodus 33: 14; Luke 11: 13; Acts 2: 28, 33; 2 Corinthians 3: 7-8, 17
Remember that old song? New York, New York, so good they named it twice. When something is that good or that important, it is mentioned twice. Go and have a look at the things that Jesus mentioned twice, and you'll see what I mean.
The theme of God’s presence is so important throughout the Scripture, and now especially, in the lives of the Israelites, that Moses is given the instructions to build the tabernacle twice. Its design was covered again when Moses described how it was built and erected. Then God’s glory covers the tabernacle.
Since the Garden of Eden, God’s presence was supposed to be with His people – He walked with man in the cool of the day. It was only the cursed who were removed from His presence. God left the Garden with Adam and Eve – He did not abandon His creation. But when Cain took his brother’s life and did not repent, he was driven from God’s presence. The result was that he was a restless wanderer. But when God promises that His presence will go with Israel, He says they will have rest. Rest is a sign of God’s presence in your life. God’s presence brings provision and peace so that we can rest.
We don’t have to long for God’s presence without satisfaction, and stay cast out from it. He has sent His Holy Spirit to dwell in us and with us. Jesus says that we can continuously ask the Father for more of the Holy Spirit and He will give Him to us.
You have God’s presence – you have everything you need! How wonderful that we need never fear the darkness, ever again.
Prayer
Thank You, Father, that You are a good father that will always give us the good gift of Your Spirit when we ask You for him. Remind me of Your presence, Lord. And thank You for the work of Your Spirit in my life.
For the family
Explain God’s presence to your family. Explain how it is always with you, even though you can not see it.
Illustrate God’s presence by playing a game in the dark. Switch off the lights and find ways of communicating with each other. You can use touch, speech, song.
Switch the lights back on, and talk about how undeniable each persons presence was despite not being able to see them.
Does this make acknowledging God’s presence with you easier to grasp?