A Work in Progress….

Exodus 37:1 Bezalel made the ark of acacia wood.

I find it incredibly interesting that I read all the specifics today with a sense of comfort instead of the overwhelm I felt when God was giving the instructions and dimensions to Moses. Bezalel knew exactly how to build everything because God had been incredibly specific about how He wanted it.

Exodus 37:10 He also made the table of acacia wood.

Perhaps it has to do with my own personal comfort level. If you give me specifics about how you want something done, I can amaze you in the doing. Perhaps it has to do with the fact that I’ve wrapped up first semester and that stress is no longer wearing on me. Regardless, it is a much needed reminder that my feelings are fickle and I should not trust them.

Exodus 37:11 And he overlaid it with pure gold, and made a molding of gold around it.

Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for the reminder that You are outside of my fickle feelings, that You care deeply about the details of my life, that Your care is a comfort and not a restriction. Thank You for pursuing me with Your steadfast love. Draw me closer. Amen.

Exodus 37:25 He made the alter of incense of acacia wood.

Have a blessed day. I love you.

Exodus 36:3a And they received from Moses all the contributions that the people of Israel had brought for doing the work on the sanctuary.

This past Christmas season, my church did something called “Live simply so that others may simply live.” We had the opportunity to “adopt” residents at a local memory care facility, donate sleeping bags and air mattresses for homeless youth in our area, and buy farm animals to send to those in foreign countries. So many ways to help others.

Exodus 36:3b They still kept bringing him freewill offerings every morning.

One of the neatest things to come from it, besides the overwhelming involvement and outpouring from our church community, was the stories of folks who talked to others about the opportunities. Many folks ended up bringing in donations that coworkers had given or talked about how others took the idea back to their own churches. It was definitely a season of giving.

Exodus 36:5 …”The people bring much more than enough for doing the work that the LORD has commanded us to do.”

Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for the freewill offerings that come pouring out when we align ourselves with Your will. Thank You for allowing us to live simply so that others may simply live. Draw us closer. Amen.

Exodus 36:7 …for the material they had was sufficient to do all the work, and more.

Have a blessed day. I love you.

Exodus 35:21 …and everyone who was willing and whose heart moved them came and brought an offering to the LORD….
God knows the difference between a cheerful giver and a grudging one. He understands our thoughts and motivations. Even if we fool the world with our actions, God understands our motives. And He wants us to give willingly, whether we are giving of our time, our resources, or our talents.
Exodus 35:22 All who were willing, men and women alike, came and brought gold jewelry of all kinds….
Sadly, this is an area where I struggle mightily at times, mostly in the giving of my time. I am an extreme introvert. People often exhaust me, and I find renewal in solitude, so when an obligation—even the name bespeaks grudgingness—necessitates my time, I can often be quite grumpy about it. Jesus, Help me.
Exodus 35:26 And all the women who were willing and had the skill spun goat hair.
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for this reminder that You have work for me to do, and that You call for me to give of my time, talents, and resources cheerfully. Help me to be a cheerful giver, LORD. Always. Draw me closer. Amen.
Exodus 35:29 All the Israelite men and women who were willing brought to the LORD freewill offerings for all the work the LORD through Moses had commanded them to do.
Have a blessed day.

Exodus 34:9a “Lord…if I have found favor in Your eyes, then let the Lord go with us….”
Even before reading the commentary, I had identified Exodus 34:9 as one of the verses I wanted to use for today’s reflection. The commentary made it even more meaningful. KJV translates this verse as “…if now I have found grace in thy sight,…let my Lord…go among us…and pardon our iniquity and our sin….”
Exodus 34:9b “…Although this is a stiff-necked people, forgive our wickedness and our sin, and take us as Your inheritance.”
Moses knew the Israelites were a stiff-necked people. He was so angry at their disobedience while he was talking with God that he smashed the stone tablets containing the Ten Commandments. He could have asked God to exact justice, retribution, for their disobedience, but he asks for undeserved grace, for divine mercy instead. Thank You, Jesus.
Exodus 34:10a Then the LORD said, “I am making a covenant with you. Before all your people I will do wonders never before done in any nation in the world….”
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for Your lavish grace and undeserved mercy instead of the judgement we deserve. Thank You for going with us, for pursuing us, even though we are a stiff-necked people. Help us to show ourselves and each other the same grace and mercy that You lavish so freely upon us. Draw us closer. Amen.
Exodus 34:10b “…The people you live among will see how awesome is the work that I, the LORD, will do for you.”
Have a blessed day.

Exodus 32:5 When Aaron saw this, he built an alter in front of the calf and announced, “Tomorrow there will be a festival to the LORD.”
Aaron fashioned the golden calf with his own hands, yet here he proclaims a festival to the LORD. Does he not fully realize what he’s done? Am I guilty of similar behavior when I worry and fret, eaten up with anxiety over “What ifs,” but proclaiming my complete devotion to my Savior? Jesus, Help me.
Exodus 32:9 “I have seen these people…and they are a stiff-necked people.”
I’ve always seen the Old Testament God as angry and wrathful, the New Testament God as much kinder and gentler. But in this walk through the Old Testament thus far, I have been surprised at the compassionate lengths God goes to for His people. I’ve also been surprised to see how similar I am to those stiff-necked people. Jesus, Help me.
Exodus 32:10 “Now leave Me alone so that My anger may burn against them and that I may destroy them….”
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for this deep look at Your nature and my own. Thank You for helping me see Your infinite love, grace, and mercy and the many obstacles I place in my own relationship with You. Draw me closer. Always. Amen.
Exodus 32:11-12 But Moses…said, “why should Your anger burn against Your people? … Turn from Your fierce anger; relent and do not bring disaster on Your people.
Have a blessed day.

Exodus 32:1 When the people saw that Moses was so long in coming down from the mountain, they gathered around Aaron and said, “Come, make us gods….”
Sadly, the behaviors in this chapter I can relate to all too easily. My default, when faced with uncertainty (whether from delay or any other cause) is anxiety, fear, worry. Do I make a golden image as the Israelites do? Of course not, but the outcome is the same—something takes my attention for my God. In my case, worry, anxiety, and fear eclipse my Savior. Jesus, Help me!
Exodus 32:2 Aaron answered them, “Take off the gold earrings…and bring them to me.”
Moses was gone for 40 days. I’m sure they were pretty patient at first. “God’s got this. Moses will be back soon.” But day after day, that seed of doubt began to grow. “This is taking longer than I thought. What if…? Maybe….” I don’t consciously set up a golden calf, but just as surely, that fear, that anxiety, that worry as I wait is consuming much more of my time and attention than my Savior. Jesus, Help me!
Exodus 32:4a He took what they handed him and made it into an idol cast in the shape of a calf….
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for this honest look at what happens when You ask me to wait in joyful hope and to trust You. I definitely need to work on learning to wait in joyful hope instead of anxious fear. Thank You for helping me to see it. Now please help me to live it. Draw me closer. Amen.
Exodus 32:4b …Then they said, “These are your gods, Israel, who brought you out of Egypt.”
Have a blessed day.

Exodus 31:13a …‘You must observe My Sabbaths’….
The week of Christmas I did absolutely nothing related to my job. Instead, I spent time with my family, I read books, and I did things that renewed my spirit. It was glorious. This past week, however, was the last week before exams. It feels like I spent the entire week grading (and grading and grading some more). It was exhausting—mentally, emotionally, spiritually, even physically. 
Exodus 31:13b …’This will be a sign between Me and you for the generations to come’….
God understands the need for a good work-life balance. He also understands that for us to be spiritually healthy, we must renew and recharge in Him. I feel like that’s one of the chief reasons for the Sabbath, to refocus on Him, to renew in Him, to reconnect with Him at the end (or the beginning) of our week. And that time with Him is vital for our wellbeing.
Exodus 31:13c …’so you may know that I am the LORD, who makes you holy’…
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for this reminder that I need to renew myself in You—hourly, daily, weekly. This world is too much for me. It overwhelms me and makes me doubt and fear. But You are my center, my peace. Your grace and Your strength are sufficient for anything this world can throw at me. Draw me closer, LORD. Amen.
Exodus 31:17 …’for in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day He rested and was refreshed.’
Have a blessed day.

Exodus 30:6 Put the altar in front of the curtain that shields the ark of the covenant law…where I will meet with you.
I have been writing some version of this morning reflection for well over five years. Anything good that has ever or will ever come from it is a gift from and to the glory of my Maker. One of the biggest things I’ve always felt Him calling me to do is to be honest about where I am, admitting my fears and struggles in the hopes that anyone else struggling similarly, feeling shame or guilt about not being able to get it all together, will see they are not alone, that their Maker loves them deeply and can use the struggles to bring glory to Himself, to give others hope, to draw the struggler closer to Him. He’s certainly done that for me. 
Exodus 30:7 Aaron must burn fragrant incense on the alter every morning when he tends the lamps.
Make no mistake—it’s not easy or fun to struggle. It can be frustrating, agonizing, but God can use it all. And no matter how intelligent, how powerful, how eloquent, how thoughtful you are on your best days, God loves you just as much, just as deeply, just as fiercely on your worst days, when all you have to offer Him is yourself, and that certainly doesn’t seem like much. While it’s a hard thing to live, it’s a beautiful assurance to have.
Exodus 30:36 Grind some of it to powder and place it in front of the ark of the covenant law in the tent of meeting, where I will meet with you.
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for this insight. Thank You that Your love is not conditional, not contingent on my thoughts, my abilities, or my contributions. You want my heart, Lord, and even when I feel that’s the only thing of value I have to give and it doesn’t feel like much, You still love me deeply. I’m not worthy, Lord, but I am eternally grateful. Draw me closer. Amen.
Exodus 30:37 Do not make any incense with this formula for yourselves; consider it holy to the LORD.
Have a blessed day.