Enough and More Than Enough…

Exodus 36:3-7 They received from Moses all the contributions which the sons of Israel had brought to perform the work in the construction of the sanctuary. And they still continued bringing to him freewill offerings every morning. And all the skillful men who were performing all the work of the sanctuary came, each from the work which he was performing, and they said to Moses, “The people are bringing much more than enough for the construction work which the Lord commanded us to perform.” So Moses issued a command, and a proclamation was circulated throughout the camp, saying, “Let no man or woman any longer perform work for the contributions of the sanctuary.” Thus the people were restrained from bringing any more. For the material they had was sufficient and more than enough for all the work, to perform it.

How can one tell this is God’s plan? He provides! Not one thing went undone because of budget issues. Not one thing was put on hold because the contributions were down. Not one person gave under duress nor with bitterness. Nope. Nope. In fact, the biggest problem they had was to RESTRAIN the people from bringing any more!

God is not skimpy with His provision!

Throughout all of the Exodus journey, God provided. Yes, the people were led into the wilderness. Yes, they left all that they had known. Yes, even the most adventurous and built tough, would have found the journey to be unbelievably difficult.

But God was building a nation… a people, to be His own. A people, He would live among… a people, He would eventually, through Jesus, make their heart into His “home”.

In Exodus, God shows us His desire to be close to us… His plans for a place we could fellowship with Him… His will to accomplish all that was necessary for such a relationship to exist.

In all of Exodus, we see the hand of God providing everything His baby Israel needed. Food, water, shoes that never wore out… cloud by day… column of fire by night…

We see God’s provision and protection in everything, but rarely do we see Israel acting in willing obedience. The sanctuary – His sanctuary, is (in my opinion) the BEST example of God’s Will being done on earth, freely, by man.

Apart from Jesus, who did the PERFECT Will of the Father, mankind is not usually known for our obedience to the details of God’s Will. We like to tweak… we like to question… we like to interpret.

We like to worry that what God has started we will have to finish by ourselves! Therefore, we may want to withhold some in order to have on that rainy day. With the audacity of a three-year old, we believe we only need God when we can’t do it for ourselves! Thus our prayers are reserved for those things God has not given, to do things that God has not given us to do, so that we can prove ourselves worthy disciples (powerful people) of the Most High God.

Israel had only those things they brought from Egypt to give to the building project. They were in the wilderness so there was not a nearby department store to buy the finest materials. Most, if not all of these people were slaves, so there was no gold in their mattresses… except for… wait for it… the going away gifts treasures the Egyptians insisted they take with them.

Our God is so good… (all the time)!

He gave the plan… He gave the artisans… He gave the materials… He gave the workers… and He gave His people the opportunity to participate in whatever way or means they freely chose.

And when they did (freely choose) they gave (with their heart). The result… the material they had was sufficient and more than enough for all the work, to perform it.

Now I ask you… if this was so for building a tent in the wilderness… how much more would God do for a home in our hearts?

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. 

This world is our wilderness (as hard as the journey Israel went on), but God wants to abide with us just as He did back in the day.

Our hearts are the tent of meeting and the good works are the free will offerings to be used to build His sanctuary… His home!

I believe, if we stick close to our Architect and follow His detailed plan, building with the expertise and instruction of the Holy Spirit, we will accomplish what Moses and Israel accomplished in building this earthly tent… God’s Will… done on earth as His will is always done in heaven.

Just as He did with Israel…

I know, if I freely give my heart, He will transform it and there will be enough and more than enough… to accomplish all that He has prepared beforehand for me to walk in.

What are my prayers about? Lack of a plan? Lack of provisions for the plan? Lack of ability to perform the plan? May it never be! If there is confusion and/or lack of something or someone to perform what God has prepared for me, it is mine to own.

Psalm 139:23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way.

Let the desires of my heart be for His heart… in His heart there is no room for lack.

Psalm 37:4 Delight yourself in the Lord; And He will give you the desires of your heart. 

Enough and More Than Enough!

**All Scripture quoted comes from the “Bible Gateway” app and is the NASB  version of the Bible