8 I want the people of Israel to build me a sacred residence where I can live among them. (NLT)
Recently reading through Exodus has been both extensive and an insightful experience. Exodus, as most of us are aware of is a book in which God reveals his name, his attributes, his redemption, his law and how he is to be worshiped.
While looking back at some highlighted and starred verses, I couldn’t help but share how crucial such a small verse (vs.8) must of meant to people in the time of building the Tabernacle; Tent of Meeting, but also in the lives of people today. With that said, I see this drawing a parallel for the prayer life today; by means of how we are to go and seek time to spend with God silently. God wants his people to “build a sacred residence” where He can live among them! I find it of great importance to have such a sacred residence where I can go out of sight, out of mind.
Prayer held in a private and detached setting is of the most importance to many biblical characters and is such an exercise taught from the big man himself: Jesus! Prayer should be carried out in such a place as described in Matthew 6:6 - "But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you". That’s sounds advice. We will not only be rewarded, but such a place provides and builds intimacy with God as it says at the end of Exodus 25:8 - "where [God] can live among [us]. How powerful!
Emphatically, I can even say that from experience in practicing this vital principle on prayer - has done wonders for me. God will always meet us where we are and slowly move us along into deeper things. God can transform our lives through such intimacy. We will, “begin to think God’s thoughts after him: to desire the things he desires, to love the things he loves, to will the things he wills” (Celebration of Discipline by Richard J. Foster).
May we all go out and find that place (bedroom, closet, car, etc…) of sacred residence where we can pray in secrecy and fortitude.
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