Pastor Billington's Blog

Psalm 4, 5, 6

Psalm 4 is a prayer asking God for help. David still has people after him even though he is God’s anointed king! David is confident that God will hear Him, because he is God’s (4:3). David will not allow his anger at his persecutors to be his undoing, because he trusts in God (4:4). He is also humble and recognizes that God answering prayer is a result of grace (4:1). David will be glad and experience peace because of God’s faithfulness, and the unrighteous will learn they shouldn’t underestimate God or His servants!

Psalm 5 is a reminder that we can approach God because of His steadfast love. Verse 1 literally says, “consider my groaning.” Groaning implies spiritual weariness and disquiet. Have you ever awakened in the morning upset about your personal circumstances, or distressed because of a dream, or agitated because you have something unpleasant later in the day? We need to pray and look forward to how God will answer those prayers. But beyond that, we should pray every day, because it puts everything in perspective. We remind ourselves that God is in charge. That we are His creation. That He expects us to live a certain way. That he wants us to be humble, kind, truthful, and gracious. Acknowledging God at the beginning of our day gets us started on the right foot!

Psalm 6 is a psalm of lament where David cries out to God in despair. Its circumstances are unknown, but whatever is going on, David has considered that his own sin had a part to play in it. He asks for God’s grace and favor to prolong his life so that he can continue to praise God on the earth, and trusts that God hears him.

Thought for the day: Lament. Do we do it enough? Does our pain or guilt cause us to turn to God rather than turn away? Do we really think that God doesn’t know how we feel? Why can’t we pour out our weariness, our grief, our complaints to Him? How else do we get rid of our angst and enter into trust?

Lamentations 3:55-57 (WEB) “I called on your name, LORD, out of the lowest dungeon. You heard my voice: ‘Don’t hide your ear from my sighing, and my cry.’ You came near in the day that I called on you. You said, ‘Don’t be afraid.’ “

Exodus 40

Why should we read all of this? In part, to understand that there is a price that has to be paid for sin. Sacrifices have to be made, and those sacrifices need to be made in a particular way by particular people. But what if only one sacrifice could be made? What if there was a better way? What if there was a better covenant, with a permanent sacrifice for sin? What if there was a way that consciences could be made clean and worshippers could be made righteous?!?!?!

Hebrews 9:1-12 (WEB) “Now indeed even the first covenant had ordinances of divine service and an earthly sanctuary. For a tabernacle was prepared. In the first part were the lamp stand, the table, and the show bread, which is called the Holy Place. After the second veil was the tabernacle which is called the Holy of Holies, having a golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant overlaid on all sides with gold, in which was a golden pot holding the manna, Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tablets of the covenant; and above it cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat, of which things we can’t speak now in detail. Now these things having been thus prepared, the priests go in continually into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the services, but into the second the high priest alone, once in the year, not without blood, which he offers for himself and for the errors of the people. The Holy Spirit is indicating this, that the way into the Holy Place wasn’t yet revealed while the first tabernacle was still standing. This is a symbol of the present age, where gifts and sacrifices are offered that are incapable, concerning the conscience, of making the worshipper perfect, being only (with foods and drinks and various washings) fleshly ordinances, imposed until a time of reformation. But Christ having come as a high priest of the coming good things, through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation, nor yet through the blood of goats and calves, but through his own blood, entered in once for all into the Holy Place, having obtained eternal redemption.”

Isn’t it wonderful that the New Testament helps us to understand and apply what we read in the Old?

Thought for the day: Instead of God’s glory residing in an external place (like a temple or a tabernacle), it now resides in us because of what Jesus has done!

Romans 8:9 (WEB) “But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if it is so that the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if any man doesn’t have the Spirit of Christ, he is not his.”

Exodus 39

“According to all that the Lord had commanded” are important words!

The high priest wore the name of the tribes of Israel on the onyx stones on his shoulders, and on the various stones on his breastplate. These would serve as reminders that he was there representing the people of Israel. Although not mentioned here, the Urim and the Thummim function in a similar way.

Exodus 28:12 (WEB) “You shall put the two stones on the shoulder straps of the ephod, to be stones of memorial for the children of Israel. Aaron shall bear their names before the LORD on his two shoulders for a memorial.”

Exodus 28:29-30 (WEB) “Aaron shall bear the names of the children of Israel in the breastplate of judgement on his heart, when he goes in to the holy place, for a memorial before the LORD continually. You shall put in the breastplate of judgement the Urim and the Thummim; and they shall be on Aaron’s heart, when he goes in before the LORD. Aaron shall bear the judgement of the children of Israel on his heart before the LORD continually.”

The plate with “Holy to the Lord” engraved on it was both an indication of the special position the high priest held, as well as a reminder of how he should live his life!

There are special reminders here for anyone involved in Christian leadership, as Samuel illustrates:

1 Samuel 12:23 (WEB) “Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you; but I will instruct you in the good and the right way.”

But we should also note that all believers are declared holy through Christ (Romans 5:5), that we should live holy lives for Christ (1 Peter 1:16), and that we should pray for others to Christ (1 Timothy 2:1)!

Thought for the day: Jesus Christ models that intercession for us!

Romans 8:34 (WEB) “Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, yes rather, who was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.”

Exodus 38

The women who ministered at the door of the tent of meeting are only mentioned one other time in the Old Testament. We have no real description of what they did, or what duties they may have performed.

1 Samuel 2:22 (WEB) “Now Eli was very old; and he heard all that his sons did to all Israel, and how that they slept with the women who served at the door of the Tent of Meeting.”

The total amount of precious metals was about 2200 pounds of gold, 7500 of silver, and 5300 of copper. When God had them ask the Egyptians for gifts before they left, He was preparing His people for the construction of the sanctuary!

Thought for the day: God works in ways we don’t always see, and in timetables that we can’t even conceive!

Ephesians 1:4 (WEB) “even as he [God] chose us in him [Jesus] before the foundation of the world”

Exodus 37

The pieces described here are those that reside in the actual tent, which is split in two by the veil. The ark rests in the most holy place, with the table, lampstand, and the altar of incense in the holy place. The construction matches exactly what God described before.

Thought for the day: Moses made sure that God’s instructions were followed completely. Are we as meticulous in following God in our own lives?

1 John 5:3 (WEB) “For this is loving God, that we keep his commandments. His commandments are not grievous.”…

Exodus 36

We again see the detail that goes into the worship center, and we also note the beauty of the materials and the presentation. While I’ll admit that I think a case can be made for a less ostentatious worship center/style in today’s age, there is something to be said for a space that draws your attention to the beauty and majesty of God. Perhaps we can take an example from Jesus’ life as instruction. Maybe it’s okay to spend some of our resources on worship, while we are more frugal in our lives.

Luke 7:37-38 (WEB) “Behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that he was reclining in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster jar of ointment. Standing behind at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears, and she wiped them with the hair of her head, kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.”

And we see that on display in our passage. The people were made aware of the need, and they rose to meet the challenge. Moses eventually responds, “We have enough!“ This should be the normal response of God’s people for God’s projects. But this means that both the leaders and the people need to be in the right place with God. God’s people should always have soft hearts for God’s work.

Thought for the day: We should never regret using our resources for the kingdom.

Matthew 6:19-20 (WEB) “Don’t lay up treasures for yourselves on the earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break through and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consume, and where thieves don’t break through and steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Exodus 35

We know from the New Testament that God supernaturally gifts His people for ministry (Romans 12:6-8). But we also recognize that He expects us to use our time, talents, and treasure for ministry as well, as we see here. And we also realize that there are those who are especially gifted or talented in certain areas, like Bezalel and Oholiab. We should always check our pride at the door when it comes to ministry. I’ve seen too many people get offended or upset when someone else is chosen to lead a ministry or project. Humility should be one of the hallmarks of a believer.

Philippians 2:3-5 (WEB) “…doing nothing through rivalry or through conceit, but in humility, each counting others better than himself; each of you not just looking to his own things, but each of you also to the things of others. Have this in your mind, which was also in Christ Jesus…”

Thought for the day: Blessing comes when you use your time, talents, and treasure for the kingdom of God!

Matthew 25:21 (WEB) “His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things, I will set you over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ “

Exodus 34

There are some significant reminders here regarding how God wants His people to worship once they come into the promised land. After all, He has done mighty miracles on their behalf – the type of miracles that have never been seen before! He expects them to serve Him with a single-minded devotion, turning away from other gods and even destroying their places of worship. They need to remember that He is a jealous God! He also expects them to observe the Sabbath, show up for the required festivals, keep their sacrifices pure, obey the 10 commandments, redeem the firstborn, and make sure that they give the firstfruits of their harvests to Him.

Note that God is not just jealous. He is also merciful, gracious, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness and truth. However, that doesn’t mean He’s a pushover. Sin is still punished, and the effects of that punishment can last a long time.

Thought for the day: I believe that when we spend time with God our countenance changes too. Our faces may not shine, but it will make a difference in how we look and act!

Proverbs 15:13 (WEB) “A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but an aching heart breaks the spirit.”

Exodus 33

Exodus 20:5 (WEB) “for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God”

We see the truth of that statement in the last two chapters. God is creator, He is awesome, He is majestic, He is fearsome, and He is holy. Idolatry is such an affront to Him that He tells Moses He won’t be in their midst anymore. But we also see how Moses is maturing as a leader!

Exodus 32:32 (WEB) “Yet now, if you will, forgive their sin—and if not, please blot me out of your book which you have written.”

Exodus 33:15 (WEB) “Moses said to him, ‘If your presence doesn’t go with me, don’t carry us up from here.’ “

Paul also reflects this same attitude when he expresses his care for God’s people:

Romans 9:3 (WEB) “For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brothers’ sake, my relatives according to the flesh.”

God ultimately responds to Moses’ plea and says, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

Thought for the day: The ministry of intercession is something all God’s people should engage in, leaders or not!

1 Timothy 2:1 (WEB) “I exhort therefore, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and givings of thanks be made for all men…”