March 28: FROM SYMBOLS TO REALITY (part 2)
According to all that I show you, that is, the pattern of the tabernacle and the pattern of all its furnishings, just so you shall make it. Exodus 25:9 (see also v.40; 26:30; Numbers 8:4; Acts 7:44; Hebrews 8:5)
God is love. We should remember that He initiated the reestablishment of the relationship with Him that had been broken by sin when He called to Adam and said to him, “Where are you?” (Genesis 3:9).
The story of salvation continues throughout Scripture. Our God of love is leading us all the way back to Himself, step-by-step. We saw in the courtyard of the tabernacle two vivid illustrations of salvation realities: the death of the Lamb of God at the altar of sacrifice, and the cleansing that He offers at the laver of washing, representing baptism.
Next, we saw two more lively illustrations of the Plan of Salvation inside the first apartment of the tabernacle, called the Holy Place: the Word of God for His followers to “eat,” symbolized by the bread on the table of showbread, and the seven-branch lampstand which burned continually, as a symbol of the Light that dispels spiritual darkness. Jesus Himself is that light (John 8:12; 9:5), and He has commissioned His followers to pass along His testimony (Matthew 5:14; Mark 4:21; Luke 8:16; 11:33; Philippians 2:15; Revelation 1:9).
There is another powerful symbol in the Holy Place: the altar of incense representing prayer. It is next to the veil that divides the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place. This essential element in the Plan of Salvation is intertwined with all of the others. Our conversations with God are a fragrance to Him, wafting over the veil of separation; and His input of comfort and instruction is the breath of life to His saints. We are instructed to pray without ceasing (2 Thessalonians 5:17); an ongoing conversation with the Source of Life should become as natural as breathing. We breathe out our gratitude, our confessions, requests and intercessions and we breathe in His very presence: “I am . . . your exceedingly great reward” (Genesis 15:1b). We voice our claim to His promises, and immediately recognize His claim to ownership of us. He who says “I am the LORD, I do not change” (Malachi 3:6) is faithful.
Doing the real “work” of prayer—for it requires energy—is the key to intimacy with God. It helps us to gain His mind regarding the needs that we place before Him. Our worship of Him and intercession should never be separated. If we are only presenting demands, we risk the loss of spiritual vision. This is not true worship. We do not know how He will bring about the best possible results, and this is where faith is tested. This testing of our faith will strengthen it if we are resolved to trust Him. Trust in Him at all times, you people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. (Psalm 62:8)
Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him. Job 13:15a