Originally posted: 03/30/2019

Imagine the anticipation. The day had finally arrived.

Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, ² “On the first day of the first month you shall set up the tabernacle of the tent of meeting,” (40:1-2).

The detailed directives were explicit and were to be carefully followed, “just as the LORD commanded Moses…Thus Moses finished the work,” (40:3-33).

… And then …

Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. ³⁵ Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud had settled on it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. ³⁶ Throughout all their journeys whenever the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the sons of Israel would set out; ³⁷ but if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not set out until the day when it was taken up. ³⁸ For throughout all their journeys, the cloud of the Lord was on the tabernacle by day, and there was fire in it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, (40:34-38).

Consider His Cloud of Glory

• His Cloud of Glory Came, only after all preparations had been carefully and thoroughly completed.
  • …just as the LORD commanded Moses, (40:16, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 32).

• His Cloud of Glory Covered the tent of meeting.
  • Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle, (40:34).

• His Cloud of Glory Consumed the tabernacle.
  • Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud had settled on it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle, (40:35).

• His Cloud of Glory Controlled the journey.
  • Throughout all their journeys whenever the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the sons of Israel would set out; ³⁷ but if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not set out until the day when it was taken up, (40:36-37).

How do we respond to His Cloud of Glory?

• In the same way Moses prepared, we too have been given His detailed directives to be explicitly followed before we can experience His Glory.
  • But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, ¹³ who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. ¹⁴ And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth, (John 1:12-14).
• Only in Him, are we made complete and fit for His Glory.
  • For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, ¹⁰ and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority; (Colossians 2:9-10).

• When we place our faith in His only provision for our sins, our sin is covered, never again taken into account. To Him be the Glory!
  • Blessed are those whose lawless deeds have been forgiven,
    And whose sins have been covered.
    ⁸ Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will not take into account, (Romans 4:7-8).

• When we are consumed by His Glory there will be no room for competing loyalties or dishonorable undertakings.  
  • But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh, (Galatians 5:16).

• He is in control, not us. Let us live, complete in Him, covered, consumed and under His control, and thereby discover His Glorious and perfect will for every step along this journey called life. Oh, that He would be Glorified in all that we are and all that we do.
  • Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. ² And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect, (Romans 12:1-2).

Let’s Grow Together!