Exodus 35-38,40 – How we worship
Walking Through Exodus
Devotions - Week 16
Key Verses: Exodus 35:25-27, 36:8-38:31, 40:1-33
“Then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them.”
Exodus 25:8
Exodus 25:8
In this week’s service we explore the significance of the Tabernacle. How it played an important symbolic and central role in the worship of God’s people while they journeyed through the desert.
We also looked at how the Tabernacle points us towards Jesus, who is our true and better Tabernacle.
It was on the cross that Jesus offered himself as the ultimate sacrifice. It was his death which tore the curtain of the Temple in two, from top to bottom. It is him we place at the centre of our worshipping church community. It is to him that we gather. He is worthy of our praise. He is our access into the very presence of God.
Just like the Israelites, how we worship matters.
To come and worship at the Tabernacle would have been a deliberate gathering together of God’s people near to his presence to praise. As followers of Jesus, this is what we’re called to do as well. To deliberately and intentionally prioritise gathering with other believers to praise and worship God.
This means setting aside time in our diaries. These times are important because they help us put Jesus at the centre of our lives. Reorientating our lives away from ourselves, and on to him. We can do this together. Setting aside and prioritising time to worship on a Sunday with God’s people is invaluable to our health and maturity as Christians.
Just as God’s people would have gathered at the centrally placed Tabernacle, so we, God’s people, gather together in a central place, like one of our church buildings, to worship.
But unlike the Tabernacle, spiritually we don’t stop outside the walls or in the courtyard. We’re met by our High Priest, who walks us past the altar and the basin, through the holy place, through in to the holy of holies, in to the very presence of God. Approaching God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Because of him we can worship joyfully, confidently, hopefully, faithfully, wholeheartedly, actively and sometimes even loudly and energetically.
How wonderful it is to praise God together, raising our voices in song.
We should not neglect these times together. Nor be passive as we engage in times of praise together. There is much joy to be had in praising him when we’re together.
And there is great power available to us as we praise him apart.
I recommend not just listening to worship music (although this is a great habit!), sing out loud and loudly if you can! Find somewhere you can do this where you won’t feel self-conscience. So that you can declare his truth and his love. Have a go-to-list of printed out favourite Bible verses to help you focus on him.
Making worship a central part of our walks with Jesus can have a deep impact on our lives.
Who and how we worship matters.
We also looked at how the Tabernacle points us towards Jesus, who is our true and better Tabernacle.
It was on the cross that Jesus offered himself as the ultimate sacrifice. It was his death which tore the curtain of the Temple in two, from top to bottom. It is him we place at the centre of our worshipping church community. It is to him that we gather. He is worthy of our praise. He is our access into the very presence of God.
Just like the Israelites, how we worship matters.
To come and worship at the Tabernacle would have been a deliberate gathering together of God’s people near to his presence to praise. As followers of Jesus, this is what we’re called to do as well. To deliberately and intentionally prioritise gathering with other believers to praise and worship God.
This means setting aside time in our diaries. These times are important because they help us put Jesus at the centre of our lives. Reorientating our lives away from ourselves, and on to him. We can do this together. Setting aside and prioritising time to worship on a Sunday with God’s people is invaluable to our health and maturity as Christians.
Just as God’s people would have gathered at the centrally placed Tabernacle, so we, God’s people, gather together in a central place, like one of our church buildings, to worship.
But unlike the Tabernacle, spiritually we don’t stop outside the walls or in the courtyard. We’re met by our High Priest, who walks us past the altar and the basin, through the holy place, through in to the holy of holies, in to the very presence of God. Approaching God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Because of him we can worship joyfully, confidently, hopefully, faithfully, wholeheartedly, actively and sometimes even loudly and energetically.
How wonderful it is to praise God together, raising our voices in song.
We should not neglect these times together. Nor be passive as we engage in times of praise together. There is much joy to be had in praising him when we’re together.
And there is great power available to us as we praise him apart.
I recommend not just listening to worship music (although this is a great habit!), sing out loud and loudly if you can! Find somewhere you can do this where you won’t feel self-conscience. So that you can declare his truth and his love. Have a go-to-list of printed out favourite Bible verses to help you focus on him.
Making worship a central part of our walks with Jesus can have a deep impact on our lives.
Who and how we worship matters.
Apply
- When do you worship with other Christians? Are you committed to a regular Sunday gathering?
- Are you comfortable singing out loud? If not, what would need to change so that you could vocally join with God’s people in prayer.
- Is worship part of your intentional time with God during the week?
- How could you practically make singing out loud to God, declaring truth about him and his love, a regular part of your life?
Prayer
Lord Jesus,
Thank you that you are my true and better Tabernacle. That in you I can confidently approach the Father’s throne of grace in full assurance that we will find mercy to help us in my times of need. Help me to prioritise times of praise and worship, and you would be the centre of my live.
In your name I pray,
Amen.
Thank you that you are my true and better Tabernacle. That in you I can confidently approach the Father’s throne of grace in full assurance that we will find mercy to help us in my times of need. Help me to prioritise times of praise and worship, and you would be the centre of my live.
In your name I pray,
Amen.
This Everyday Devotion was written by Andy Tuck, the Assistant Venue Leader of our Wimbledon Venue.
If you would like to listen to the whole of this week’s sermon on "Exodus 35-38,40 – The Tabernacle", why not download the Everyday Church App or visit our website, YouTube Channel and at our Online Church Services.
This Everyday Devotion is accompanied by a devotional video that you can watch on our YouTube Channel.
Join us as we walk through the book of Exodus by following our daily Exodus Bible Reading Plan.
Follow our Everyday Devotions Playlist for some songs to help you worship God in Spirit and truth this week.
If you would like to listen to the whole of this week’s sermon on "Exodus 35-38,40 – The Tabernacle", why not download the Everyday Church App or visit our website, YouTube Channel and at our Online Church Services.
This Everyday Devotion is accompanied by a devotional video that you can watch on our YouTube Channel.
Join us as we walk through the book of Exodus by following our daily Exodus Bible Reading Plan.
Follow our Everyday Devotions Playlist for some songs to help you worship God in Spirit and truth this week.