Scripture
It was Moses’ practice to take the Tent of Meeting and set it up some distance from the camp. Everyone who wanted to make a request of the LORD would go to the Tent of Meeting outside the camp.
~Exodus 33:7, NLT
Quote
Prayer does not fit us for the greater work: prayer is the greater work.
~Oswald Chambers
It is my understanding that initially Moses set up a tent outside the camp. It was a special tent where he went to pray. It was at this tent that the LORD manifest His glory. The glory cloud that protected the Israelites at the Red Sea and lead them through the wilderness would appear over this tent where Moses met with God. Later, God revealed to Moses that all the Israelites needed a Tent of Meeting. This is when God gave Moses the details for the Tabernacle. I assume the original tent was plain and ordinary and easy to set up. The thing that made it sacred was it’s purpose. The original tent was outside the camp. The Tabernacle which came later was at the center of the camp, God’s presence in the midst of His people. Via the Tabernacle, every repentant Israelite could pray and worship. Keep in mind, that Jesus is the ultimate TABERNACLE–God dwelling in the midst of His people. This is why God never didn’t encourage David to build a temple: God already had a plan–His Son would be the Temple {John 2:19-22}. The Jews made the mistake of worshiping the shadow or the symbol and then rejected the substance, the real thing.
My point is this: Moses needed a special place to pray; one that was away from the hustle and bustle of the camp. Moses had a habit of meeting with God and he had a place. Of course, we don’t worship the place of prayer because it is always subject to change. Moses also meet with God on mountain tops. Moses received his greatest revelations while on the mountain top. Moses never worshiped the tent [place], he worshiped the One who meet him at the tent. Obviously, we have to have a relationship with the PRIEST {Jesus} in order to pray in the sense of communing with God. A lost person can pray but they cannot commune. Due to our human nature, we need more than a priest, we need a place, a quite place, a place away from all distractions. It could be a closet or a cabin. It is that special place where we meet with God. Prayer is our spiritual breath; it is the wind in our sails. Our LORD Jesus went to a lot of trouble just so you and I could commune with the Holy Father. I wish we could all realize what a privilege it is to be able to enter the presence of the Almighty and take refuge underneath His omnipotent wings. I don’t want to confuse you but understand this–the tent can be both a place and a person. Ultimately the TENT is Jesus: we have no chance of communing with God outside of Christ. In HIM {Christ} we are accepted and privileged. Have you thanked HIM lately for your right of access?
I don’t want to lecture you on the subject but the Psalms have helped me more than anything {tangible} in the matter of prayer. I have always struggled with prayer. For most of my life, I prayed when I was in need or in trouble. I am just beginning to learn the joy of communing in His presence. A quite place and the book of Psalms are tremendous helps.
Road to B’town with Don Murphy and Jessie James to see the Brewer girls. They played well. Did an outstanding job on the boards. They were in it until the end. It could have easily gone into overtime. They had a girl wide open in the lane but no one spotted her. It was a good game. Decatur Heritage plays for the 1-A title this evening. West Limestone boys are in the finals on Friday. I think they are 4-A. Parking and traffic are horrible. Nothing is well organized. Food prices are ridiculous.
A year ago yesterday: Steven F. Hardy and I were at Dr. Graham’s visitation in Charlotte, NC. The weather person is this house says it is going to get cold come March. What’s new, it is always cold in March. Why don’t we swap February and March and get the cold weather over with.