To Dwell With Us

As we started this new series, Pastor Mike shared a sermon about the Tabernacle called "Yes, It Is A Religion!" If you weren't able to hear it, I'd encourage you to go back and watch it on the Opendoor App! As he shared about the intent of the Tabernacle, God reminded me that just as He instructed Moses to build the Tabernacle as a place for Him to dwell with His people, He built me as a vessel to dwell within, as well. I'd like to share with you the truths He gave me, and I hope they speak to you, too.

1. God created me with the same care and precision as the Tabernacle. 

Exodus 25:9 (NLT) says, "You must build this Tabernacle and its furnishings exactly according to the pattern I will show you." I can remember reading these details from the Bible in the past and feeling the temptation to skip over them. How important could these measurements and directions be to my personal walk? However, He had a plan and purpose for each component of the Tabernacle and, in the same way, has a plan and purpose for the exact way He created me.

Genesis 1:26-27 (NLT): "The God said, 'Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry on the ground. So God created human beings in His own image. In the image of God He created them; male and female He created them." 

Psalm 139:13-16 (NLT): "You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous-- how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed."

JOURNAL: Are there any insecurities or fears you have that cause you to forget this truth? How can you surrender those to God in order to walk in the confidence He created you to have? 

2. My body is a Tabernacle of the Holy Spirit.
 
Just as the Tabernacle was created as a place for God to dwell with His people, our bodies are a temple of the Holy Spirit, who dwells in those who follow Jesus.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NLT): "Don't you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body."  

1 Corinthians 3:16-17 (NLT): "Don't you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you? God will destroy anyone who destroys His temple. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple." 

JOURNAL: What does it mean to you to be God's temple? How should that affect the way you live your day-to-day life?

3. The Tabernacle was a place created for worship and sacrifice, and my body was created by God to worship and sacrifice for His glory. 

Romans 12:1-2 (NLT): And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all He has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice-- the kind He will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship Him. Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect." 

1 Peter 2: 5-6 (NLT): And you are living stones that God is building into His spiritual temple. What's more, you are His holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God. As the scriptures say, 'I am placing a cornerstone in Jerusalem, chosen for great honor, and anyone who trusts in Him will never be disgraced." 

JOURNAL: Do you feel like you are currently living like you are one of His holy priests? What sacrifices might the Holy Spirit be calling you to make for God? How might you live your life as a "living and holy sacrifice" or a "living stone" to build God's temple? 

PRAY: God, thank You for making me and my body in Your image and with your perfect plan in mind! Thank You that Your will for my life is "good and pleasing and perfect." Help me to live in a way that is reflective of your goodness and proof to the world that I am a temple of Your Holy Spirit. Speak to me now and help me to hear what sacrifices You are calling me to make in my life to better serve You. Thank You for Your Son, Jesus, and for His death that tore the veil and gave me the freedom to know You and worship You for all You are! In Jesus' holy and perfect name, Amen!

We'd love to hear from you! Let us know in the comments what God is speaking to you as you read these devotionals. If you haven't already subscribed to receive our devotional emails right to your inbox, hit the subscribe button below and invite your family and friends to subscribe as well! Thank you for being a part of our Opendoor Devotional Community. We appreciate you!