Numbers 7:89 “Now when Moses went into the tent of meeting to speak with Him, he heard the voice speaking to him from above the mercy seat that was on the ark of the testimony, from between the two cherubim, so He spoke to him. The Tabernacle is functioning for the purpose it was designed, as a meeting place with God. This was a long time in the making. It all started with God wanting to connect with His people. So, He delivers them from Egypt. Then the plans were originally given to Moses on the mountain. Then the people volunteered of their own property materials and jewelry to build the Tabernacle. Then the twelve tribes were set up with Levites being the priests. This brings us to todays passage in which Moses is listening to God speak from between the cheribum, above the mercy seat. God wants to build things in our lives. Sometimes we’ll know what He’s doing, other times we won’t. Some are quick lessons while others may take years. Paul says in Philipians 1:6, “For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” He also says in Ephesians 2:10, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” We are His project. I think of someone working on a classic car that they treasure. It takes years. They search the internet for parts and advice. They spend time in the garage making their plans a reality. They finish the day full of enthusiasm as their dream comes closer to completion. This should tell us how dear we are to Him. “We are His workmanship.” If we had any doubts about our value, this should clear that up. Some times there is pain in the process. Just like the car builder encounters frustrations when plans don’t always mesh as imagined. 1 Peter 4:12,13 says, “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.…” I appreciate Peter’s comment, “don’t be surprised.” We learn from the friction we feel in life. These may be difficulties in friendships or disappointments at work. They are the annoinces of life that frustrate us. We rarely think that these have a purpose. This is part of what it means to be surprised. We wouldn’t expect these things to have a grand purpose. This is where faith comes in. We need to trust that He is using these things. Romans 8:28 says that “All things work together for good to those that love God…” We rarely get this. Much like Joseph didn’t get how his time in prison had a purpose, so we rarely see how our difficulties fit in. Another aspect to God working things into our lives is our compliance. We are to submit to His lordship. With these menial things that bother us, we need to relax and trust Him. Sometimes He’ll put roadblocks in our path to redirect us. These times are difficult because we get our hearts set on things. We don’t want to give them up. We often might rationize that this isn’t God. Why would He care about this trivial part? We need to keep an open mind and have a light grasp on things. Be willing to give them up. The bible uses the imagery of a closed door. We are to knock. Sometimes it opens, other times it opens later or won’t open at all. We can force it open. But this brings guilt, hurt feelings and a distancing from God’s voice and direction. It’s exciting to know that He is interested and wants to work within us. Lord, help us to be patient with the day’s circumstances. Thank You that You are doing a good work in us.