God asks Moses to build him a tent - the "tabernacle", so he can be present with his people. Now God gives a list of the furntiure for his tent.
First, there is a Chest - the "Ark of the Covenant" which found its way into an Indiana Jones movie.
The Chest is about the size of a large BBQ. It is made of wood, covered in a veneer of gold. There are four rings to accommodate carrying poles - the Hebrews are after all on the move for the moment. And there are two sculpted angels which forms a lid for the chest.
For the moment, the chest carries a copy of God's ten core values - which is essentially the written "contract" of the friendship treaty between God and people. The Chest then, is a reminder of God's generosity - his gracious offer of friendship. Because after all, the Hebrews need God more than God need people. The Chest is a symbol of their unbelieveable good fortune.
Write
Think about your faith story: what is an object of symbol that reminds of you your decision to follow Jesus?
In your life presently, how well are you living your commitments to Jesus as his disciple?
Who do you know has abandoned their commitment to Jesus?
Pray
What
is God saying to you today? What's Good News to you?
Talk to God about your memory of your first encounters with Jesus. Thank God for his faithfulness to you, and the new-starts he keeps offering you whenever you veer from your end of the relationship.
Pray about the current state of your relatiosnhip with God. Ask God what you need to grow passion and vibracy in your walk with his Spirit.
Pray for your friend who has abandoned their friendship with God. Ask God for the wisdom and opportunity to help them be open to God again.
Pray for an experience of God's love, grace and mercy in the way he keeps faith in his relationshp with you, and the ways he helps you grow in faithfulness in your walk with his Spirit.