Lives as Temples
Read This Week: Exodus 26
Make the tabernacle with ten curtains of finely twisted linen and blue, purple and scarlet yarn, with cherubim woven into them by a skilled worker. All the curtains are to be the same size—twenty-eight cubits long and four cubits wide. Join five of the curtains together, and do the same. – Exodus 26:1-3 NIV
The tendency when reading Exodus 26 is to think it is one of those sections in the Old Testament that, at first glance, might seem routine or overly detailed. It describes God’s instructions for building the Tabernacle, the portable sanctuary where His presence would dwell among the Israelites. While this chapter is filled with meticulous details: measurements, materials, and specific designs and might seem like an ancient construction manual, it holds profound spiritual and practical lessons that we can apply to our lives today. These principles are timelessly helpful and relevant to our modern spiritual journeys.
The first part of the chapter shows us the purpose of the Tabernacle. It was not just a tent but a divinely designed meeting place between Father God and His people. It was God dwelling among His children and symbolized God’s desire to be with humanity. Despite the Israelites’ imperfections, God wanted to be near them. It was the place where they could commune with and worship Him. Every detail of the Tabernacle directed the people’s attention to the holiness and glory of God. Worship was not casual but orderly, reverent, and intentional. God’s instructions were exact. Chapter 26 teaches that obedience to God’s Word matters. Even the minor details are significant in creating a space where we can experience God’s presence.
All 37 verses highlight specific materials: curtains of fine linen, gold-plated boards, loops of blue, and coverings made from ram and goat skins. While these details may seem far removed from our lives, they carry a deeper meaning. The Tabernacle was crafted with fine supplies and intricate designs, showing that God values beauty and excellence in what we offer Him. Whether in worship, work, family, or service, we are called to give our best, not our leftovers.
The curtains were joined together with loops and clasps, creating one unified sanctuary. This teaches us about unity in God’s work. Each piece – no matter how small or ornate – played a role in forming the Tabernacle. The various coverings of the Tabernacle protected it and symbolized God’s covering over His people. Even the seemingly mundane details remind us that God is our protector and refuge.
Today, the Tabernacle reminds us that the Lord still desires to dwell in our hearts and communities. It points to the greater understanding of God being among us through Jesus; as John 1:14 says, the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. Because of Christ and His Holy Spirit, God’s dwelling place is in us. Collectively, the Church is now God’s dwelling on earth. Like the Tabernacle, we are called to be places where God’s presence is experienced and made known. The Spirit must lead us to reflect God’s holiness, unity, and excellence to the world. Our communities need to provide a welcoming space for others to encounter God. Our lives are to be as temples where the Lord dwells.
God’s specific instructions in Exodus 26 remind us that the small things matter. Whether in our spiritual habits, relationships, or acts of service, faithfulness in the details reflects our love and reverence for the Father. In 1 Corinthians 6:19, Paul reminds us that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, and just as the Tabernacle was constructed intentionally, our lives must be purposely built to reflect God’s presence among people who desperately need Him.
Exodus Chapter 26 Verse 1
Moreover, YOU shall make the Tabernacle with ten curtains; of fine twined, linen, and blue and purple and scarlet [stuff], with cherubim skillfully embroidered shall you make them.
~Gods Presence~
God Is Saying To Me:
My child, it is very important and valuable to your walk with me to pay attention to my detailed instructions to you. I have a specific plan and task for you and me. You must remain vigilant and obedient to my verbal and written instructions. Approach our journey together respectfully and humbly, recognizing the sacred and pure relationship that I desire to have with you.
What This Means To Me:
1. God desires an intimate relationship with us.
2. Recognize that the desired relationship with God is pure, holy and reverent.
3. Place your walk with God in His presence in your life by being consistent, searching for and having meaningful interaction with God through prayer, worship, study and service.
4. Act and apply these actions in every aspect of your life by using the talents that God has given you.
Exodus 26:1 moreover, you shall make the tabernacle (sacred tent of worship)
The Lord continues to speak to Moses and give him instructions in what kind of material to use and picking people that are skilled in making this worship tent.
For us today Father God has chosen us, he has a plan for our life.
He wants to be apart of what He is building today.
He is first doing work in our heart.
It’s always about our hearts first.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 explains that when we accept Jesus as our Savior, the Holy Spirit comes to dwell within us. This means we are now God’s temple—a place where His Spirit lives and works. Just as the Tabernacle was carefully designed and treated as holy, our bodies are now to be treated as sacred because they are God’s dwelling place.
2 Corinthians 5:17 helps us understand this transformation even more: “If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” When we are in Christ, we are made new, and God no longer dwells in a physical structure but in us.
This means God is always with us. We don’t need to go to a specific place to meet Him; we can worship, pray, and experience His presence anytime because He lives within us. And just like the Tabernacle was a place of worship, our lives are now meant to be a living act of worship, reflecting His glory in everything we do.
Through Jesus, God made His home in us, showing us how deeply He desires to be close to us, guide us, and share life with us. Our responsibility is to honor Him with our lives—our words, actions, and how we care for the bodies and lives He has given us.
Building our lives can be compared to the instructions God gave in Exodus 26 for constructing the Tabernacle. Each detail of the Tabernacle—the tent of worship and sacred dwelling place for God—was carefully designed by our Father. It Its His house.
In the same way, as 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 reminds us, our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit who dwells within us. We are called to honor God with our bodies. Father God loves us so deeply that we should desire to build our lives with Him at the center.
Exodus 26 isn’t just about an ancient tent; it’s a picture of how we are called to build our lives with Father God. He desires to dwell within us, to hang out with us, and to be close to us because He loves us. But it starts with our hearts—keeping them open and surrendered to Him.
When we seek Father God throughout our day—whether by talking to Him, listening to Him, or making choices that honor Him—it blesses His heart. He loves it when we sing to Him like the birds, joining all of creation in worshiping and blessing Him with everything we do.
Just as God gave Moses a blueprint for the Tabernacle, He has given us a blueprint for our lives. It is up to us to seek Him daily and allow Him to guide us. When we follow His guidance, our lives reflect His character through faith, love, and obedience.
This includes caring for what God has entrusted to us—our hearts, our minds, and our bodies, which are His temple. God has a purpose for each of us, just as He gifted the people who constructed the Tabernacle with specific skills. We must give Him credit for all the good we do and recognize that every gift comes from Him.
Worship is essential—it is the foundation of a life with Father God. Let’s build our lives as sacred dwelling places for the Holy Spirit, reflecting His love and purpose in all that we do. Let’s make our lives our worship and bless the heart of our loving Father.
God was saying to me
I chose you because I love you. I sent Jesus my son to make a way for us to be together. My spirit now lives in your heart, even now at your age We have work to do one heart at a time.
So you have to take care of your body, my temple
I am with you and I’m in your heart and I will give you the strength to do what I am calling you to do.
Never forget that I hear you, I’m listening to you.
It blesses my heart when you sing like the birds singing to me like all creation praising Me.
Your worship brings me joy.
So let your life be a song to me. Continue to let your heart be open to me to guide you so we can do great work together. Love you, my daughter.
What this means to me is that I get to be apart of something big for Gods Kingdom, It’s His house!
For all who say yes to Him we are family building some great!
Thank you, father God, Jesus and your Holy Spirit for all that you do and continue to do in building the kingdom of your family❤️️
God is with you, right where you are. Did you know that?
King David once said, “Where can I go from Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend to heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, You are there” (Psalm 139:7-8). Whether you’re on the highest mountain or in the deepest ocean, God is with you. There’s a profound word for this: omnipresent—it means God is present everywhere, in all places. Wherever you are, He’s always there, always with you.
I like to think of the Lord as my Creator, my Savior, and my closest friend. Knowing He’s always with me gives me peace—I’m never truly alone. He’s always ready to guide me, help me, and walk with me every step of the way.
1. God desires closeness with you—and He is always near, ready to help you along life’s journey.
2. Heaven touches earth when God reveals glimpses of His Kingdom in ways we can understand—small reflections of the unimaginable beauty that heaven truly is.
3. We are the temple of God. It’s not a building that makes up the Church, but His people—those who carry His Spirit within them. We are His dwelling place, bringing heaven to earth through our lives.
PODCAST
This Week in the Life: Exodus 26
For the best experience, we suggest you listen to the first song, the message, and then the second song.
1. Sunday Worship – First Song: https://reachchurch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/20241222-Worship1.wav
2. Sunday Message: https://reachchurch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/20241222-Message.wav
3. Sunday Worship – Second Song: https://reachchurch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/20241222-Worship2.wav
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