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I am feeling contemplative as the day comes to an end. As the weekend closes and Monday is pressing in even now. I do not feel pressured still. Yet, there is much swirling around this little mind here tonight. I am considering the moments…absorbing the lessons I feel God trying so patiently to impress upon me.
I wonder of my slowness to learn.
My donkey mind.
And still God used a donkey.
Today I had to teach a lesson on the building of the Tabernacle
to my Sunday School children.
I asked God to allow something of this rather monumental lesson
to be relevant to these little ones.
My group ranges from ages 5 to 9.
And then there’s me.
We have been sojourning with Moses and I am weary with these Israelites…
I found myself a little more frustrated today.
After all it’s been a vacation week for us all.
Attention spans were at a low.
My patience also.
God did supply, yet smack dab in the middle of untied laces,
hands that were busy playing with anything on the table before them,
and dropped crayons.
God got their attention and mine.
For six days, work is to be done, but the seventh day shall be your holy day,
a Sabbath of rest to the Lord.
Whoever does any work on it must be put to death.
Exodus 35:2
I check their faces after reading the words.
We are all absorbing the blow of it.
They are shocked but they seem to accept it.
I’m still sitting dumbfounded after they resume their coloring.
They get the point after all…they are children.
They know God means business.
But really, the Israelites have been slow to get it.
It is I, the adult who needs the reminder.
God takes our obedience seriously.
I know this. I do.
Yet still I feel the resistance within my own self.
Am I also so slow to get it?
The fact is sin is easier to see in others.
I watched it today as the children bantered.
“You interrupted me.”
“It’s my turn, not his.”
“I’m bored.”
“He took my crayon.”
“I ‘m not the one out my seat, he is.”
“I ‘m not the one out my seat, he is.”
The lesson loomed large.
We went from the Outer Court, to the Holy Place and Holy of Holies.
We gazed upon the Golden Lampstand, the Table of Bread, The Alter of Incense.
We saw the Ark of the Covenant.
The Mercy Seat.
I have their momentary attention…
Holiness.
Forgiveness.
A costly, bloody combination.
Daily shedding of innocent blood traded for guilt and sin.
Gentle lambs.
Hands placed on them, a transfer made in time;
an act foreshadowing the Lamb
that would end the days of blood stained worship once and for all
by the tearing of His own flesh, shedding of His own blood.
The Living Tabernacle.
The Living Tabernacle.
Grace is never late, always right on time.
Finally, the blessing…
The Israelites had done all the work just as the Lord had commanded Moses.
Moses inspected the work and saw that they had done it just as the Lord had commanded.
So Moses blessed them.
Exodus 39:42-43
Obedience.
Grace.
One relies on my will.
My will.
The other is available…if I choose to receive.
My will.
The other is available…if I choose to receive.
He has already supplied all I need.
so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people;
and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin,
but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.
Hebrews 9:28
If Israel can turn from grumbling and complaining,
giving all they had to the point of building the Tabernacle in the middle of nowhere,
what is it for me to yield and obey today?
As my Pastor preached today,
how then can I neglect so great a salvation?
how then can I neglect so great a salvation?
We ought, therefore, to pay the greatest attention to the truth that we have heard and not allow ourselves to drift away from it. For if the message given through angels proved authentic, so that defiance of it and disobedience to it received appropriate retribution, how shall we escape if we refuse to pay proper attention to the salvation that is offered us today? For this salvation came first through the words of the Lord himself: it was confirmed for our hearing by men who had heard him speak, and God moreover has plainly endorsed their witness by signs and miracles, by all kinds of spiritual power, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit, all working to the divine plan.
Hebrews 2:1-4
(J.B. Phillips)
Lord, that I may not be slow to respond to that which you have graciously
provided and revealed, but have eyes to see, ears to hear and hands,
feet and heart to do what you will without hesitation.
That my tongue may be quick to reply,
“Yes, Lord, your will, not mine.”
That I may be found faithful, as you are faithful.
Enthusiastically, Dawn 
5 responses to “Contemplative Sunday {So Great A Salvation}”
Bless you for sharing.
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I enjoyed that. And I think knowing that there is salvation ahead for me – is what keeps me going sometimes! sandie
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“Grace is never late, always right on time.” Thank you, Dawn, for this reminder, and for how He is patient with us 🙂
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Thanks for this Dawn. God is so amazing, isn't He?
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“The fact is sin is easier to see in others.” I wonder how I can see that around the plank that is in my eye? Ha!Mindy @ New Equus – A New Creationhttp://newequus.com
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