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The bigger picture…. (devo reflection)

Exodus 38:9-10 Next they made the courtyard. The south side was a hundred cubits long and had curtains of finely twisted linen, with twenty posts and twenty bronze bases, and with silver hooks and bands on the posts. 

The repetition in today’s verses has such a rhythmic quality that it’s almost hypnotic. It put me in mind of those 3D optical illusion posters from the 90s where you had to intentionally blur your vision for the picture to emerge. I was terrible at those things because they took intentional unfocusing, which is a skill I’m not great at.

Exodus 38:11 The north side was also a hundred cubits long and had twenty posts and twenty bronze bases, with silver hooks and bands on the posts.

By continuing to stare and by intentionally losing your focus on the minute details that were present, you could, eventually, see the bigger, cooler picture emerge. As I was reading today’s verses, I wondered if these details are similar. On the surface, it’s another rehashing of minute details, but the bigger picture reveals something much deeper.

Exodus 38:12 The west end was fifty cubits wide and had curtains, with ten posts and ten bases, with silver hooks and bands on the posts. 

Precious Savior, Thank You for keeping me here, rooted in all these details of the tabernacle. I didn’t want to be here, but as I continue to read and ponder, You reveal truths that I might not have seen any other way. Thank You, Jesus. Amen.

Exodus 38:13 The east end, toward the sunrise, was also fifty cubits wide.

Have a blessed day. 

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Don’t worry about anything…. (devo reflection)

Exodus 38:5 They cast bronze rings to hold the poles for the four corners of the bronze grating. 

I googled “What does the Bible say about intentionality?” and the first verse that popped up was Phil 4:6, “Do not be anxious about anything….” As I continue to search for meaning and purpose in the minute details of the tabernacle, as I strive to circumvent the ever-present anxiety hum within me, the fact that that verse has popped up again feels important.

Exodus 38:6 They made the poles of acacia wood and overlaid them with bronze. 

While I typically prefer the NIV translation, the New Living Translation is really speaking to my heart today: “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.” Lord, Let it be so.

Exodus 38:7 They inserted the poles into the rings so they would be on the sides of the altar for carrying it. They made it hollow, out of boards.

Precious Savior, Thank You for understanding where I am and what I need, for the reminder to slow down, to be present, to be still, to come to You in praise and thanksgiving and to present all my cares to You. Thank You for loving me and for whispering to my heart. Thank You, Jesus. Amen.

Exodus 38:8 They made the bronze basin and its bronze stand from the mirrors of the women who served at the entrance to the tent of meeting.

Have a blessed day. 

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Intentionality…. (devo reflection)

Exodus 38:1 They built the altar of burnt offering of acacia wood, three cubits high; it was square, five cubits long and five cubits wide. 

Today’s verses have me thinking about spring cleaning, cleaning up and cleaning out, sorting through and deciding what is important enough to keep and what needs to go. I know at this stage of life, I often get bogged down in the details as I clean–what has practical use, what has sentimental value, what is just collecting dust. 

Exodus 38:2 They made a horn at each of the four corners, so that the horns and the altar were of one piece, and they overlaid the altar with bronze. 

What Moses is doing is the reverse, talking about every item that should be in the tabernacle, down to minute specifications, implying that every article is intentional and has a specific use, a specific purpose in this holy place where heaven meets earth. 

Exodus 38:3 They made all its utensils of bronze—its pots, shovels, sprinkling bowls, meat forks and firepans. 

Precious Savior, Thank You for the reminder to be intentional about my space, to ponder the uses and purposes of the items I allow so that I can declutter my physical space, allowing me to declutter my mental space as well. Help me to hold onto only those things that draw me closer to You. Help me, Jesus. Amen.

Exodus 38:4 They made a grating for the altar, a bronze network, to be under its ledge, halfway up the altar.

Have a blessed day. 

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A loving reminder…. (devo reflection)

Exodus 37:26 They overlaid the top and all the sides and the horns with pure gold, and made a gold molding around it. 

This morning has me back in the scripture and my search of: “What does the Bible say about being still?”. Philippians 4:6 (Be anxious for nothing….) and Psalm 131:2 (But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother….) are resonating today.

Exodus 37:27 They made two gold rings below the molding—two on each of the opposite sides—to hold the poles used to carry it. 

And a meme comes to mind as I ponder, “God said, ‘Be still and know,” not “Freak out and question everything.” God calls me not to be anxious, not as a chastisement because of my anxiety spiral, but as a loving reminder to come to Him. He has given me all the tools to calm and quiet my soul in Him. 

Exodus 37:28 They made the poles of acacia wood and overlaid them with gold.

Precious Savior, Thank You that I know with certainty that You are not chastising me, You are encouraging me. You want me to be successful in calming my soul in You. Forgive me that I’m still such a novice. Thank You for the reminder and encouragement. In You, I’ll get there. Amen.

Exodus 37:29 They also made the sacred anointing oil and the pure, fragrant incense—the work of a perfumer.

Have a blessed day. 

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On anxiety spirals and waiting in hope…. (devo reflection)

Exodus 37:22 The buds and the branches were all of one piece with the lampstand, hammered out of pure gold.

I’m still working on trying to be still, trying to notice all the little details, trying to rest in God instead of hurrying and striving. Honestly, it’s frustratingly difficult for me at this point, which frustrates me further. and I’ve noticed recently an anxiety spiral within myself, one I don’t like and am actively trying to understand.

Exodus 37:23 They made its seven lamps, as well as its wick trimmers and trays, of pure gold. 

So, this morning, to the end of stopping said anxiety spiral, I googled “What does the Bible say about being still?” and just seeing the many, many verses about being still in Him and waiting in hope for Him helped me breathe a bit easier. Psalm 62:5 spoke to me particularly this morning, “For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him.”

Exodus 37:24 They made the lampstand and all its accessories from one talent of pure gold.

Precious Savior, Thank You for helping me to turn to You and Your word when I feel my anxiety begin to spiral. Thank You for putting Psalm 62:5 in my path this morning. Help me to get better at waiting in silence and hoping in You alone. Amen.

Exodus 37:25 They made the altar of incense out of acacia wood. It was square, a cubit long and a cubit wide and two cubits high —its horns of one piece with it.

Have a blessed day. 

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On light and hope…. (devo reflection)

Exodus 37:18 Six branches extended from the sides of the lampstand—three on one side and three on the other. 

Today’s scripture has me thinking about light and darkness and how completely even the smallest light can disrupt even the deepest darkness. Don’t believe me? Look at a small blue pinprick of light in the middle of the night in a dark room–that tiny light casts an incredible glow. 

Exodus 37:19 Three cups shaped like almond flowers with buds and blossoms were on one branch, three on the next branch and the same for all six branches extending from the lampstand. 

John 1:5 says “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” That light is God. Even in the darkest night, God’s presence, His power, His goodness overcomes the darkness, obliterates it. And His light gives us hope.

Exodus 37:20 And on the lampstand were four cups shaped like almond flowers with buds and blossoms. 

Precious Savior, Thank You for helping me to understand the power of light and hope. Thank You for the knowledge that You are the light in the darkness, always, that You will keep the darkness from overcoming us, that even a small ray of Your light, Your hope, is all it takes. Help me to always hold on to Your Hope. Amen.

Exodus 37:21 One bud was under the first pair of branches extending from the lampstand, a second bud under the second pair, and a third bud under the third pair—six branches in all.

Have a blessed day. 

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What God is calling me to…. (devo reflection)

Exodus 37:14 The rings were put close to the rim to hold the poles used in carrying the table. 

That anxiousness, that feeling of “hurry up and lets goooooooooo,” is still simmering just under the surface this morning, and it makes me wonder, again, if I have lost the ability to slow down, to breathe, to just be and notice and observe what’s around me. 

Exodus 37:15 The poles for carrying the table were made of acacia wood and were overlaid with gold. 

And, again, I wonder if maybe that’s what God is calling me to right now–Slow down. Sit a spell. Breathe. Look. Listen. Our society certainly doesn’t encourage us to cultivate that, so I wonder what God is calling me to with this pull.

Exodus 37:16 And they made from pure gold the articles for the table—its plates and dishes and bowls and its pitchers for the pouring out of drink offerings.

Precious Savior, I feel Your still, small voice, whispering to my heart, telling me to slow down, to breathe, to pay attention. Doing that is so much harder than it used to be for me. Help me, Jesus. Help me. Amen.

Exodus 37:17 They made the lampstand of pure gold. They hammered out its base and shaft, and made its flowerlike cups, buds and blossoms of one piece with them.

Have a blessed day. 

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On stillness and knowing…. (devo reflection)

Exodus 37:10 They made the table of acacia wood—two cubits long, a cubit wide and a cubit and a half high. 

I find myself growing impatient at this point in Exodus, wanting to rush, to hurry. We’ve seen all of this before, so let’s just move on. And yet, I can hear Jesus whisper to my heart, “Be still and know that I am God” (Ps 46:10). 

Exodus 37:11 Then they overlaid it with pure gold and made a gold molding around it. 

And it occurred to me that, at this point in my life, I have an incredibly difficult time being still, breathing, centering myself, just noticing the minute details in life. And perhaps that is what God is calling me to do in this moment. Seek Him. Breathe Him in. Observe His presence. Notice His goodness. 

Exodus 37:12 They also made around it a rim a handbreadth d wide and put a gold molding on the rim. 

Precious Savior, Help me to be still and know that You are God, to be still and notice that Your presence and goodness and love are all around me. Help me, Jesus. Amen.

Exodus 37:13 They cast four gold rings for the table and fastened them to the four corners, where the four legs were.

Have a blessed day. 

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Know your strengths…. (devo reflection)

Exodus 37:6 He made the atonement cover of pure gold—two and a half cubits long and a cubit and a half wide.  

Today has me thinking about the details and about knowing your strengths and limitations. The hubs and I have been looking at wall paint and want to use white so that we can accent with color. Have you ever looked at the white paint selection at any paint retailer? The variety is truly overwhelming. 

Exodus 37:7 Then he made two cherubim out of hammered gold at the ends of the cover.

Except that we have family who has a knack for interior design. Those ten thousand shades of white? She can see the subtle differences and can talk knowledgeably and excitedly about how those differences can affect the overall design. She has a gift in this area. I clearly do not.

Exodus 37:8 He made one cherub on one end and the second cherub on the other; at the two ends he made them of one piece with the cover. 

Precious Savior, Thank You that You have given us each different gifts and different areas where our gifts are needed and appreciated. Help me to rejoice in the gifts I have and to use them for Your glory. Instead of grouching about the gifts I lack, help me to find the people who excel in those areas so that we can all shine for You. Amen.

Exodus 37:9 The cherubim had their wings spread upward, overshadowing the cover with them. The cherubim faced each other, looking toward the cover.

Have a blessed day. 

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The benefit of hindsight…. (devo reflection)

Exodus 37:1 Bezalel made the ark of acacia wood—two and a half cubits long, a cubit and a half wide, and a cubit and a half high.  

Today is graduation day at the high school where I taught for 30 years. It’s the first graduation in a very long time that I have not been required to attend. Thinking about the momentousness of this occasion a year after my own “graduation” (aka retirement) has me seeing and appreciating things that I missed last year at this time. 

Exodus 37:2-3 He overlaid it with pure gold, both inside and out, and made a gold molding around it. He cast four gold rings for it and fastened them to its four feet, with two rings on one side and two rings on the other. 

And I wonder if that is not another benefit of this seemingly exhaustive rehash of the building of the tabernacle–the distance that they now have, the growth that allows them to see the same things differently with the aid of hindsight and maturity. 

Exodus 37:4 Then he made poles of acacia wood and overlaid them with gold. 

Precious Savior, Thank You for the reminder that not only do the details matter, but that as we grow and mature as people, as Christians, we can see the “same old things” through new eyes, appreciating aspects we missed before. Help me always see life through Your lens. Amen.

Exodus 37:5 And he inserted the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark to carry it.

Have a blessed day.