in Arabic

Newsletter of November 2008

Exodus 25:10-22
Exodus 27:8 You shall make it hollow with boards; as it was shown you on the mountain, so shall they make it.
Heb 9:4 Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant;

It is interesting to me that God would specifically order that the ark of the covenant should be hollow. This instruction was given because it was intended to be used as a container. A container for what? The Ten Commandments, a bowl of manna, Aaron's rod that budded, and the presence of God. Just His laws, His blessings, His power, and His presence.

There is a longing deep within our being that causes us to recognize that we are hollow and something is missing. We can try to fill it with all sorts of things, but nothing will satisfy it. The world uses drugs, alcohol, illicit sex, popularity, fame, money, and many other things. We often try to use simple things such as friends, entertainment, and doing other things that we want to do. However, the only thing that can satisfy the emptiness in your life is God. Moses' job was to make a place for God; God's job was to fill it, and He did it with his presence. jd

Psalm 84 How lovely is Your tabernacle, O LORD of hosts! 2 My soul longs, yes, even faints For the courts of the LORD; My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. 3 Even the sparrow has found a home, And the swallow a nest for herself, Where she may lay her young— Even Your altars, O LORD of hosts, My King and my God. 4 Blessed are those who dwell in Your house; They will still be praising You. Selah 5 Blessed is the man whose strength is in You, Whose heart is set on pilgrimage. 6 As they pass through the Valley of Baca,

They make it a spring; The rain also covers it with pools. 7 They go from strength to strength; Each one appears before God in Zion. 8 O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer; Give ear, O God of Jacob! Selah 9 O God, behold our shield, And look upon the face of Your anointed. 10 For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God Than dwell in the tents of wickedness. 11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield; The LORD will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold From those who walk uprightly. 12 O LORD of hosts, Blessed is the man who trusts in You!