Fri.’s Devo - The Temple of the Holy Spirt

Read: Exodus 26:1-27:21; Matthew 25:1-30; Psalm 31:1-8; Proverbs 8:1-11
The tabernacle is a fascinating study but I want to make it real simple. We are the tabernacle of the Holy Spirit. So think of the curtains over the tabernacle that were made of badger’s skin as being our skin - our outer man. The frame is like our bone structure. Every piece of furniture is so specific and special because they represent our inmost parts. God covers them with gold so that they are glorious to him. I am reminded of Psalm 139 that says that we are fearfully and wonderfully made. In the Strong’s Concordance that means that we are reverently set apart. In verse 139:15 it says that we are “curiously wrought” which means we are embroidered with variegated colors. This is the picture of the curtains on the entrance that are made of blue, purple and scarlet yarn finely twisted. They embroidered angels on these curtains to show that everything we do is guarded by angels.
The courtyard represents of our lives. If we stay in those borders we are safe. Even the nails and stakes that held the walls of the courtyard made a cross. As long as we stay in the borders God has set for us we are safe and in his presence. When we walk outside the walls of his will we are open to Satan’s attacks. We are to dwell in the presence of the Lord all day long, whether we feel his presence or not. Paul called it “walking in the Spirit.”
In Matthew, Jesus explained the difference between knowing God and just knowing about him. All ten virgins knew of God but five of them lived for him. The others lived for themselves and didn’t take the Lord’s words seriously. They were caught with out the Holy Spirit in their lives. The ones who were waiting, full of the Spirit, couldn’t give their oil to their friends. Their friends had to get it themselves. Everyone is responsible for their own spiritual health.
Jesus gave them a parable about a man who gave his money to his three servants to manage while he went on a trip. Jesus has given us our money, gifts, talents, and resources while he is in heaven. He blessed those who took what was given them and made for him. But he cursed the man who was selfish and didn’t want to invest became he knew it wouldn’t do him any good. He was so wrong. Everything we do is for the Lord will be rewarded us in heaven. We may never see the reward here but he loves to reward faithfulness and obedience. We don’t live for God for reward but for love. He gave us life and everything we have. It is not ours anyway.
Lord, help us to remember that all of this we see is just temporal and will not last. What we do for you is eternal and will last. Help us to see ourselves as the temple of your Holy Spirit and honor it as holy.