FOLLOWING GOD…EXACTLY AS HE SAYS!

As a teacher, we tell our students to do every assignment with very specific directions. We want them to do it in a predetermined order so that they will do it correctly and more easily, too! When they don’t follow the EXACT directions, they get into trouble, the assignment is not done well, and they are discouraged. We remind students it is not because you are less intelligent, you just need to back up and follow the directions.

“Who needs directions?”, many people will say as they will be putting together all the toys that have “some assembly required” this season. No, by nature, we don’t seem to want to follow the directions. We just want to look at the pictures and guesstimate how it should all go together. In fact, there is a certain pride that comes with assembling something without looking at the directions! Dangerous.

God spends forty days and forty nights with Moses, going over the VERY specific directions of how His new “sacred residence”, His Tabernacle should look. FORTY days and nights! That is not surprising the God knows it will take that long to explain what He wants EXACTLY, in understandable terms, to we humans! ; )

“I want the people of Israel to build me a sacred residence where I can live among them. You must make this Tabernacle and its furnishing exactly according to the plans I will show you.” Exodus 25, NLT

God will not only TELL Moses but will SHOW Him EXACTLY what He wants. So, I am imagining God showing him drawings, pictures, if you will, as well as telling Moses every detail of the construction! Moses apparently “took notes” because Exodus 25 through 27 outlines each specific detail of the construction of this “home for God”.

What so we learn about God in His Story today? When God tells us that we are about to do a “new thing” for Him, are we attentive enough to do EXACTLY as He says. Are we tempted to cut corners, as some students do to get the “assignment” over with quickly without paying attention to detail? When a plan doesn’t come together, is it God’s fault? Where God guides, He provides. He provides the EXACT plan, the resources, and the people IF we follow His plan. We need to ask Him first, listen, trust and obey. 

Dear Heavenly Father, You are God and we are not. Your plans are specific and doable. Our plans are mere folly. We are listening as we hear You speak to us about doing a “new thing”. We want to follow YOUR lead in all ways. We will NOT plan then ask You to bless those plans. We are asking You FIRST, then following Your EXACT instructions. Yes, LORD, what do YOU want done? We are your servants. We are listening. In Jesus Name, Amen