In the Book of Numbers, we see that the ancient people of faith lived in simple yet functional pavilions and tents. The Tabernacle where they worshipped was also a tent like structure. God gave Moses the blueprint for the dimensions, furnishings, and positioning of the Tabernacle. It was elaborately furnished and located in the center of the encampment. When the ancient church moved to another location the Tabernacle would also be moved and always be positioned in the center of the camp. The Tabernacle was meant to be the center of their lives.
As much as the Tabernacle was the center of what was important for public worship, the Ark of the Covenant was the centerpiece of the Tabernacle. The Ark of the Covenant was a magnificently adorned piece of spiritual furniture. It was the outward symbol of the Presence of God. And more than a symbol; for when the High Priest offered sacrifices in the Inner Chamber where the Ark rested the Presence of God was actually felt by the priest similar to what we feel when we worship in church, read the Word of God, or in private prayer. The church coveted the symbol of the Ark but coveted the Presence of God even more.
The ancient church pitched their tents in the Presence of God. They didn’t move anywhere where, without the Ark of the covenant. The Ark was divinely ordered to be centered in the middlemost part of where they lived and worked in which God intended to convince the church of the necessity of His presence in all things practical in life and faith. And when they undertook any sizable challenge the Ark was viewed as imperative support and assistance. When God called them to go into the Land of Promise, the priest carried the Ark of the Covenant on their shoulders walking ahead of the people, yet in view to bolster their faith, while God rolled up the waters of the Jordan River allowing them to enter the Land of Promise.
Living in the Presence of God is a particular benefit offered to the people of faith. In a practical sense we have the comforts and guidance needed when we spend time with God and His Word. That whatever we do and wherever we go we are more convinced, when God is with us, that we will do more than we could do on our own. Even the practical and mundane are transformed into more than we could have expected like when Jesus transformed the water into wine, in whom the wedding planner recognized that the best wine was reserved for the last. When Jesus is present. When God is with us the latter will be better than the former because God is faithful Who makes all things better than the good that was before.
And not only in the mundane and practical but when challenged, much or little, by adversities or opportunities which present themselves, or we are tested by the fallout of a fallen world we will rise up against those things which challenge our felicity and faith. As the people of faith if we pitch our tent in the Presence of God we will look toward God in the time of need and opportunity because we have made His presence the centerpiece of our lives.
And when it seems difficult to sense God’s presence at anytime we also should know we have that special privilege to walk among the community of faith where the Presence of God surely lives. Jesus said, that where two or three are gathered together in My name, I will be in the midst of them. John wrote in Revelation that in a vision he saw God walking in the midst of the Golden Candlesticks which by almost all interpretations is His church. It is certain that God lives everywhere yet He lives in his church in a unique and peculiar way. God has chosen to centralize his presence in our hearts and in His church; for the Holy Spirit is in our hearts and the church is the body of Christ on earth.
I’ve been reading that many Christians are forsaking houses of worship. This is a huge mistake. God has a unique and particular residence in His church. When we choose to forsake it we are essentially announcing that God’s presence means little to us. This is dangerous to our spiritual and emotional wellbeing, family welfare, and national health. We must continue to pitch our tent in the Presence of God.
Written By Joseph Hutchison