A great deal of detailed handiwork created a glorious tabernacle in the desert. The Lord passed instructions to Moses, who in turn directed skillful hands. The people gave so much in goods, materials, gems and precious metals that Moses cut off the giving.

With the tabernacle finally complete, alter anointed with oil and outer walls in place, Moses and the priests completed their ceremonial washing. As they stood before the tent of meeting, God showed up.

Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. And Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud settled on it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.

Throughout all their journeys, whenever the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the people of Israel would set out. But if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not set out till the day that it was taken up. For the cloud of the Lord was on the tabernacle by day, and fire was in it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel throughout all their journeys.

God literally engulfed their new worship center. Even Moses, who experienced God up close many times, could not enter the enchantment. All this in front of the nation of Israel. Could there be any doubt that God led them on their journey?

The presence did not depart. The cloud remained, revealing a fiery core after dark, all through their travels. God stayed in sight day after day, night after night.

Yet we know the rest of the story. Even with this miraculous whirlwind in the center of their camp, people turned their backs on God. Stunning to realize. But you and I are not much different. Our hearts are tuned inward, the pull to self dismayingly strong.

A supernatural visitation failed to penetrate. It seems God needed a different way to break through barriers, a Savior who clouds hearts and minds. For followers of Jesus, the presence of the Holy Spirit infuses fire into our lives.

It seems counterintuitive, but the miraculous does not always convince. It takes the internal work of Jesus to turn hearts from inward to outward.

Exodus 40:34-38

Photo by Monil Andharia

Learning of black mold in your house is one of the worst pieces of news you can get. I’ve known friends who spent a great deal of time and money mitigating such issues. Black mold can cause allergic reactions, respiratory problems, and immune system dysfunction. When discovered, you want it gone.

Remarkably, laws given by the Lord to Moses also dealt with mold and mildew. Apparently this formed a constant health issue. After a long explanation of how to determine if a garment remained infected or was now safe, the instructions summed up in this way:

This is the law for a case of leprous disease in a garment of wool or linen, either in the warp or the woof, or in any article made of skin, to determine whether it is clean or unclean.

The inspector needed to check the fibers of a garment, the warp and the woof, for evidence of infection. Woof (also called the filling) refers to the threads that crisscross the warp, running at right angles—perpendicular—to them; they interlace among the warp, over and under, over and under.

Today warp and woof has come to mean a basic or essential element or material, the underpinning of a plan or idea. The nitty-gritty. The mortar that holds everything together.

The Lord insisted pulling at the warp and woof in order to discover potential health hazards. Mold seeps into the tiniest crevices, where it multiplies until it causes harm. For the Hebrews, if the garment could not be washed cleaned, it was to be burned far away from their camp.

These warnings flow easily to me. I should pay attention to the details of how I’m choosing to live. Poor habits may seem inconsequential, yet they settle into the fabric and structure of my life. Before I realize it, I’m infected. It takes a great deal of effort to wash myself clean, to break the influence of the dank, moldering ideas rooted in my life. I need the scouring action of the Holy Spirit and the Holy Scriptures.

The Lord concerns Himself with the threads of life. Hopefully, a regular inspection of my warp and woof lays hold of the world’s mold and mildew before it sets in too deep.

Leviticus 13

Photo by engin akyurt

We learn from the author of Hebrews how God’s chosen words lays us bare:

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

Then the author immediately follows with this reminder:

Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

On the one hand we lie naked and exposed before God. Nothing hidden, all our faults and foibles legible, unprotected and vulnerable under the eyes of a just and holy God.

But then astoundingly good news. Jesus covers our nakedness and mitigates our shame. He does so with sympathy rather than scorn. He walked miles in our shoes, and suffered in this world as you and I do.

Because of this relationship we are encouraged to draw near to God with assurance—boldness even. We need mercy to cover our failures and grace to live our day-to-day. Both are lavishly available.

God knows everything about you and me, which sounds pretty bad. Despite that clarity, Jesus walks with us. That you and I can approach God in any way at all is astounding, but to do so with confidence is amazing.

Move toward him—what do you have to lose?

Hebrews 4:12-16

Photo by Marek Piwnicki

My wife just published a devotional focused on the Camino de Santiago, called Discovering the Way: Reflections and Practices for the Camino de Santiago.

While you may not find yourself in Spain on the Camino, we’re all attempting to journey through life. I think you’ll find these simple yet profound meditations and exercises helpful and adaptable to your particular situation.

People say along the Camino that the way is made by walking. Dawn’s insights help pilgrims find the way of the Lord as we walk though life. Or to put it another way, in this devotional you’ll gain a better view of the Way and the Truth and the Life.

The e-book is currently available on Amazon, and soon on a variety of other platforms.

Buen Camino!