Readings for today: Exodus 37-40
I will never forget when my first daughter was born. We named her Chloe Shekinah because she represented the glory of God for us. We had lost our first child. Caleb was only 22 weeks when he died and the delivery process was traumatic. He had massive and fatal birth defects which included a complete lack of lung development. He literally was unable to take a breath. Going through that experience as a young couple broke us. The grief was deep and profound. The fear and anxiety over whether we would ever be able to have children was real. When we got pregnant with Chloe, we had a couple scares where we thought we might miscarry. It was a hard pregnancy on my wife. She was in excruciating pain quite often. Throughout the process, we cried out to God. We cried out to God when we received Caleb’s diagnosis. Cried out to God when Kristi’s life was in danger from the pregnancy. Cried out to God when we held his broken body in our arms. Cried out to God when Kristi got pregnant again. Cried out to God in those moments where we thought we might lose Chloe. Cried out to God when Kristi was doubled over in pain. And we cried out to God on January 28, 1999 when our beautiful daughter entered the world. We praised Him for His faithfulness. For His goodness. For His grace to us. His presence with us in the delivery room was palpable. Almost like a cloud of glory had settled over us in that place. So we named our daughter “Shekinah” which literally refers to the glory cloud that filled the Tabernacle after it was built.
Imagine being Israel and seeing the cloud of glory descend. Imagine watching the cloud of glory fill the Holy of Holies where the ark of the covenant was placed. Imagine stepping out of your tent at night and seeing the cloud light up like a fire as God continually assures you of His abiding presence. Imagine watching the glory cloud lift when it was time to continue the journey or stay put when it was time to rest. It must have felt so comforting. Listen again to how the Bible describes it…
“The Cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and the Glory of God filled The Dwelling. Moses couldn’t enter the Tent of Meeting because the Cloud was upon it, and the Glory of God filled The Dwelling. Whenever the Cloud lifted from The Dwelling, the People of Israel set out on their travels, but if the Cloud did not lift, they wouldn’t set out until it did lift. The Cloud of God was over The Dwelling during the day and the fire was in it at night, visible to all the Israelites in all their travels.” (Exodus 40:34-38 MSG)
“Visible to all the Israelites in all their travels.” I love that line. I love it because I know Jesus is with me in all my travels as well. Jesus is Emmanuel which literally means “God with us.” He is the glory of God who comes to be with us. His Spirit is the glory of God who comes to dwell inside us. As a result, we are never alone. He leads and guides us just as He did ancient Israel. He guards and protects us just as He did His people. He comforts us in our struggles and strengthens us in our suffering and heals us from our hurts and gives us peace to calm our anxious hearts. This is who God has revealed Himself to be in Christ Jesus. Take some time to sit in the Presence of God today. Let your awareness of His nearness, His closeness bring you comfort and peace. Thank Him for always being with you. Ask Him to lead and guide you in all your travels today.
Readings for tomorrow: Leviticus 1-4