Exodus 40:16 “Moses did everything just as the Lord had commanded him.”

This phrase is repeated continually throughout Exodus chapter 40.

Moses had been with the Lord and received instruction. Detailed instructions. Instructions about how the tent of meeting was to be set up and how the priests were to be prepared to be filled with God’s glory. And Moses was faithful to obey all that God said.

God gives us itstructions as well, in His word. Am I always faithful to fulfill God’s instructions? Do I see His words in scripture and obey, or do I treat His commands as mere suggestions? On a most basic level, do I love my neighbor? Do I care for widows and orphans? Do I obey the Holy Spirit’s promptings to witness or share what God is teaching me? Or do I give in to human emotions of fear and timidity?

When Moses completed the work of the Lord, what happened? Verse 34 tells us, “Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.” God desires for us to be faithful and complete our assigned tasks as well so He can fill us. And fill us. And fill us. Again and again.

Think about the time it took to gather all the materials to build the Tabernacle. They had to acquire wood and ore and prepare them for the supports of the temple. Consider the time it took for the artisans to cure the hides, weave the fabrics, stitch the curtains, and plan, mold, and carve all the hooks and articles and lamp and basin and altar. How long did it take to build it? It was a huge task.

When God gives us a big task, do we approach it with a spirit of faithfulness and excellence? Or do we rush through? Perhaps we get overwhelmed and want to bail on the job before it is complete. On the other hand, we don’t need to rush the job and be the first to the finish line. We need to be faithful. We need to exercise commitment to whatever God has called us to.

Romans 12:1-3 tells us, “Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

Do we run our best race? Do we handle the things of God as diligently as we would preparing and training our athletic child to get that college sports scholarship? Do we do “everything heartily as unto the Lord”? (Colossians 3:23) Are we running in a way to receive the Prize? (1 Corinthians 9:24)

We live in a microwave generation. Everything seems to be obtained or accomplished in an instant. Things that take an extended amount of time and effort challenge us. We don’t like disciplining ourselves to lose weight over time, to develop muscles slowly and diligently doing the reps each day. We want to be able to lift the heavy weights today without the repetition and effort. We don’t like those long-term Moses assignments. We want to get it done, make progress, and quickly move on.

We must realize that with God the lesson may be in the journey. God may be more interested in who we become through His assignment than He is with getting the job completed. What is He making in us? He is making pure and holy vessels designed to be filled with His glory. Be home to His glory. Display His glory to the world. Let’s chose to be a Moses today and do “everything just as the Lord had commanded.”

“Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?” 1 Corinthians 6:19