Vigilance

 ²⁰ “Command the Israelites to bring you clear oil of pressed olives for the light so that the lamps may be kept burning. ²¹ In the tent of meeting, outside the curtain that shields the ark of the covenant law, Aaron and his sons are to keep the lamps burning before the LORD from evening till morning. This is to be a lasting ordinance among the Israelites for the generations to come. 

Exodus 27:21


God is a god of exactness carrying forth orders that are direct and deliberate. The building of the tabernacle was one that signifies God's tangible presence in the group that Moses led. As forgetful as humans are, we are reminded in a physical way that God is ever present in our lives and we must live morally based on His command. Thankfully since we have the Holy Spirit this ark that travels place to place no longer needs to be carried as the people move, but we have an inner ark in our hearts that tugs at us when the Spirit moves.

God commands us to be vigilance through the night, keeping the lamp burning. In Revelations Jesus will come like a thief in the night, so does that mean we're to literally stay up and keep watch? No... it means to guard my heart at all times. Keep the lamp of the HS burning within me through the storms of my life. When I see injustice, when I see people suffering, when I'm about to commit a sinful act... I need to not snuff out the lamp that God has given me, but to keep it burning by doing the act in which Jesus showed us. To love. In addition, I must always be ready knowing that Christ's time of redemption is around the corner. I must remember this life is a gift, but also considered a mist in the fabric of God's time....I must make use of this time as it is precious for God's work. Who knows if I will die today and not come back home tonight.

God, I thank you for who You are. Thank you Jesus for setting the path in which I can follow whole heartily. Though I will never achieve perfection in this life, I look forward to what is in stored in heaven. Grant me the vigilance to keep my spiritual guard up from Satan's attack. Help me to over come my fleshly nature, as it is weak and burdensome to do Your will. I love you Jesus.

In Jesus Name
Amen.