February 3rd | Exodus 40

     What an incredible truth to grasp: God, in all His holiness and majesty, desires to be with us. No matter how far we have wandered, no matter how much we have rebelled, God’s presence is still offered to us. This is the message of hope that resonates throughout Scripture, from the Old Testament tabernacle to the transfiguration of Jesus to our lives today.

     Think about the story of the golden calf in Exodus. Israel had just witnessed the power of God—plagues that freed them from Egypt, the parting of the Red Sea, manna from heaven. And yet, in their impatience and lack of faith, they crafted an idol to worship. They turned away from the very God who had saved them. It would be reasonable to assume that God would abandon them. And yet, despite their sin, God still wanted to dwell among them. What grace! What mercy!

     For you today, sinner—maybe you have wandered, maybe you have distorted God’s plan for your life, maybe you have outright rebelled. But hear this: God still desires to be with you. He is not waiting to reject you but to restore you. His presence is still available.

The Glory of God in the Tabernacle

      Exodus 40:34-35 tells us what happened after the Israelites completed the tabernacle:

"Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. And Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud settled on it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle."

     The people had labored to build the tabernacle exactly as God instructed. They used costly materials—an estimated one ton of gold—crafted with skill and care. It was a stunning, sacred space. But without God’s presence, it was just an ornate tent. It meant nothing unless God was in it.

      This is true for us today as well. We can have the most beautiful church buildings, the most well-organized worship services, the most inspiring music and preaching. But if God’s presence is not in our midst, it is all empty ritual. We can go through the motions, but without His glory, our worship lacks life and meaning.

God’s Presence in Jesus Christ

     So how do we experience God’s presence? How can we truly be with Him? The answer is found in Jesus.

     In Luke 9, we read about the transfiguration of Jesus. He takes Peter, James, and John up the mountain, and before their eyes, He is transformed. His glory radiates like lightning. And who appears with Him? Moses and Elijah. What are they discussing? Verse 31 tells us:

"They spoke about his departure, which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem."

     The word translated as "departure" is actually "exodus." Just as God led His people out of slavery in Egypt, Jesus was about to accomplish a greater exodus—delivering His people from the bondage of sin through His death and resurrection.

     Peter, overwhelmed by this moment, suggests they build three tents—three tabernacles—to capture and contain this glory. But God’s plan was far greater. The cloud of His presence descended, just as it had on Mount Sinai, but this time, it was not to confine His glory to a tabernacle. Now, His glory would be fully revealed in Jesus Christ.

     What does that mean for us today? It means we no longer have to go to a physical tabernacle to meet with God. We don’t need to rely on a priest to enter His presence on our behalf. In Jesus, we have full access to God. We have forgiveness of sins, adoption into His family, and the promise of dwelling with Him forever.

Do You Long for His Presence?

     Exodus 40:36-38 describes how the Israelites followed God’s presence wherever it went:

"Throughout all their journeys, whenever the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the people of Israel would set out. But if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not set out till the day that it was taken up. For the cloud of the Lord was on the tabernacle by day, and fire was in it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel throughout all their journeys."

     They didn’t move unless God moved. They followed His presence because they knew they needed Him more than anything else.

     Now, here’s a question for you: Do you long for God’s presence? Do you desire Him more than anything else? Just like a parent who doesn’t just love their children but genuinely delights in them—do you delight in God? Do you seek Him not just out of obligation but out of a deep desire to be with Him?

     God has made a way for us to dwell with Him forever. His presence is not confined to a tent, a temple, or even a church building. It is available to you right now through Jesus. What a reason to celebrate!