They shall make an ark of acacia wood. Its length shall be two and a half cubits, its width a cubit and a half, and a cubit and a half its height. You shall overlay it with pure gold. You shall overlay it inside and outside, and you shall make a gold molding around it. Exodus 25:10 WEBThe ark of the covenant was about the size of a small seaman's chest, built from acacia wood, and covered in pure gold. A cubit is 18 inches, so the ark would have measured around 45 inches long, 27 inches wide, and 27 inches tall.
Inside of the ark was the ten commandments, which were written on tablets of stone, and a few other priceless treasures, like Arron's staff that had budded almond blossoms, and a golden pot of the manna that they ate in the wilderness (Hebrews 9:4). The ark was a sacred treasure chest.
The ark was made from natural wood that was cut from trees which grew out of the earth. Men are often compared to trees in scripture (Psalms 1:3, 37:35, 92:12, Song 7:7, Jeremiah 17:8, Mark 8:4 ). It was then overlaid in pure gold, which in scripture typifies God's divine nature. Gold is an element and unlike other precious stones, it did not derive from anything else. Unlike diamonds which are created from other materials under immense pressure and temperature over time, gold in its pure form existed from the beginning, and there will be streets of pure gold in heaven (Revelation 21:21).
So when examining the ark, we find something made of common materials, overlaid with something extremely rare, something eternal. The common, overlaid with the divine, then filled with precious treasure. Paul wrote that 'we have this treasure in earthen vessels' (2 Corinthians 4:7) meaning the treasure is inside of us.
We used to sing a song in church that was: 'More of Jesus, Less of Me.' While this is a great religious saying, and I even like the song, that is not what God actually wants. It would be better sung as: 'More like Jesus.' God already had the world without you in it, and then He added you to it in order to make it a better place.
You were no accident, and neither was I. We are here because God chose us to be for such a time as this. If the Lord wanted less of you, He is quite capable of making that happen. Every breath that you take is an assurance that you are still supposed be here.
What we need is all of us, covered by all of Him, and filled with His Holy Spirit, just as the ark of the covenant was made of wood, and then covered in pure gold. The natural covered by the divine, and filled with His presence, filled with His word. The best people that I know are people who were just themselves, while walking with Jesus. They never became 'religious' but just loved God.
Today, you are God's treasure chest. God wants to cover you with His likeness, put His word inside of you, and fill you with His Holy Spirit. They say that some people bring out the best in you. Jesus will bring out the best in all of us.
Prayer: Heavenly Father I thank You for making a place for me. Mold me into who that I should be, and help me fulfill my purpose here. Please fill me with Your word and Your Spirit, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.Note: Our weekly RHM Live church service will be happening this morning at 10am EST. Join us for a time of worship, interactive prayer, and fellowship, and to hear what has been happening recently in our lives. To participate in the chatroom you need to have a site account, but if not, you can still watch the video of the study. Service starts at 10am EST, but all are encouraged to show up 15 minutes early for fellowship, and to make sure the stream is working for you before we start. Love you all! Here is the link to join:
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Amen! God, just have Your way in my life!
Amen! You are in charge Father!
Lord, I want to do your will. Order my steps, thoughts, and life in your word. I love and thank you Father.
More Like You Jesus More Like You, Fill me and use me to fulfill your purpose Amen!
Amen!
Beautiful devotion! One of my favorites--thank you once again, Pastor Dion
I too used to love singing that song until once I heard very loudly to stop! In extreme surprise I asked why. The Father told me He did not like it. I was to sing more of me, not less. He wanted me to be more of who He made me to be. It made such an impact on my life to search deeper to be the more He has called me to be.
Amen
Heavenly Father fill me with Your word and Holy Spirit to have more of You in me. I know I'm under construction to fulfill my purpose while i'm here, in Jesus name I pray. Amen, Amen.
Thank you Pastor, we shall never forget we have a purpose on earth. God bless you.
Amen!!
Amen!
Amen
Amen thank you for this devotion today!
Amen and Amen!!!
Amen