The Tent of Meeting
by Angela Weir
Chapter 19 of Exodus is all about the Lord speaking to His people and commanding Moses to tell them to purify themselves before they come to the foot of the mountain. He also tells him that nobody is to touch the mountain, neither man nor beast, and if anyone does, they are to be put to death. But Moses is to come and meet with God face to face.
What tremendous preparations, what fearful instructions, what purifications had to go on, even to come near the living God! All because He’s a holy God. No wonder when the people came near to the mountain and saw the thick cloud and heard the trumpet they all shook.
How do we approach the living God? We have the wonderful privilege of being able to meet Him face to face because when Jesus died the curtain in the Temple was torn in two, thus opening the way to Him. We have easy access.
But, I wonder, do we take that privilege for granted? Have we become too casual? I have recently been really challenged to spend more time with my heavenly Father – and to be excited about it! I try to have my ‘quiet time’ early each day, and I realise that it is easier for me, on my own, retired, than it is for those who have families around and busy jobs to go to, but I know it is not enough.
I want to get to know Him better than I do, and to do that I must spend more time with Him, so I am going to set aside more time, and find somewhere where I can be without distractions – no phone, no computer, just me and Him. I don’t anticipate it will be easy to begin with but I mean to try.
Can we get excited about actually meeting with the living God? We certainly should do: He is the LIVING GOD! Our times with Him shouldn’t become routine and once they are over we go on to the next job for the day, but for many of us, me included, that is what they can become. I want to refresh and revitalise my precious relationship with Him, and I know it is up to me to be serious about it – He is only too willing, ready and waiting.
Prayer: Dearest Father, Thank You that You’re so much more ready and willing to meet with me than I am to come into Your presence. I’m so sorry and ask for Your forgiveness. Please would You help me to stick to whatever new resolutions I make to spend longer with You. I love You, Lord, but my love is so weak compared with Your love for me. Amen.
Angela Weir has been associated with Ellel Ministries from the very beginning, first as an associate member of the ministry team and later as an associate teacher. She trained as an actress before moving to Cumbria, where she taught drama in a girls’ school. She now teaches and ministers at various Ellel Centres.
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