I Can't Anymore
“I can’t anymore! I need to get away, I really need a vacation!” I think it’s fair to say that, from time to time, we all reach our limit of being around people, co-workers, and kids, and we grow tired of the everyday grind of life. What do you do when you’re running on empty or are fatigued and on the verge of burnout? What do you do when the “Do Not Disturb” and “Out-of-Office Replies” are activated, the babysitter is there for a few hours, yet it doesn’t seem to provide any relief?
How do you recharge and recalibrate your heart and soul? I would suggest you need a “tent of meeting.” In the Old Testament, specifically in Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers, the tent of meeting was the name of a place where God would meet with Moses and His people, Israel. Exodus 33:7 says, “Now Moses used to take the tent and pitch it outside the camp, far off from the camp, and he called it the tent of meeting. And everyone who sought the Lord would go out to the tent of meeting, which was outside the camp.”
The tent of meeting was a place set aside to commune with God. It was a place to spend quiet time in His presence and receive guidance and refreshment. Notice the tent was “outside of the camp.” This meant people had to be intentional about moving away from the demands and busyness of life and create margin and space to meet with God.
In a real sense, to refresh and renew your spirit will require you to posture your heart in His presence without any outside competition. This is the tent of meeting; a distraction-free place to replenish and revitalize in the presence of God.
In His presence, the most amazing thing happens. Exodus 33:11 tells us, “Thus the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend.“ In the tent of meeting, God meets you face to face just as a friend! Wow! What a beautiful picture. We have direct face to face access to God. We have a friend that sticks closer than a brother. (Prov. 18:24) We have an advocate, a powerful God who meets with us and wants to encourage, renew and refresh our hearts because he cares as a friend. This is why Jesus said, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest… For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28, 30)
The invitation is to “come!” Enter the tent of meeting and have face to face interaction with God who will speak to you like a friend! I like how the NIV translates Exodus 33:7b, “Anyone inquiring of the Lord would go to the tent of meeting.” I picture a steady stream of people coming and going to do business with the Lord. I know that when I get stressed and overwhelmed, my first inclination is to seek the ear and counsel of a trusted friend. The reminder today is that we have the ear and counsel of the ultimate friend. Now hear this: “I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.” (John 15:15)
What is your tent of meeting? What does it look like? It might be at your chair early in the morning. It might be late at night when the kids are asleep. Your tent of meeting might be in your car at work, or a prayer walk in your neighborhood. Your tent might be in the mindful meditation of a few deep breaths. We all need a "Tent of Meeting" with God in our daily lives. Wherever it is for you, be encouraged that God will meet you there!
“God, thank you for being our friend. Thank you for making your plans known to us. Thank you for being a friend to anyone that wants to inquire of you!”
How do you recharge and recalibrate your heart and soul? I would suggest you need a “tent of meeting.” In the Old Testament, specifically in Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers, the tent of meeting was the name of a place where God would meet with Moses and His people, Israel. Exodus 33:7 says, “Now Moses used to take the tent and pitch it outside the camp, far off from the camp, and he called it the tent of meeting. And everyone who sought the Lord would go out to the tent of meeting, which was outside the camp.”
The tent of meeting was a place set aside to commune with God. It was a place to spend quiet time in His presence and receive guidance and refreshment. Notice the tent was “outside of the camp.” This meant people had to be intentional about moving away from the demands and busyness of life and create margin and space to meet with God.
In a real sense, to refresh and renew your spirit will require you to posture your heart in His presence without any outside competition. This is the tent of meeting; a distraction-free place to replenish and revitalize in the presence of God.
In His presence, the most amazing thing happens. Exodus 33:11 tells us, “Thus the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend.“ In the tent of meeting, God meets you face to face just as a friend! Wow! What a beautiful picture. We have direct face to face access to God. We have a friend that sticks closer than a brother. (Prov. 18:24) We have an advocate, a powerful God who meets with us and wants to encourage, renew and refresh our hearts because he cares as a friend. This is why Jesus said, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest… For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28, 30)
The invitation is to “come!” Enter the tent of meeting and have face to face interaction with God who will speak to you like a friend! I like how the NIV translates Exodus 33:7b, “Anyone inquiring of the Lord would go to the tent of meeting.” I picture a steady stream of people coming and going to do business with the Lord. I know that when I get stressed and overwhelmed, my first inclination is to seek the ear and counsel of a trusted friend. The reminder today is that we have the ear and counsel of the ultimate friend. Now hear this: “I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.” (John 15:15)
What is your tent of meeting? What does it look like? It might be at your chair early in the morning. It might be late at night when the kids are asleep. Your tent of meeting might be in your car at work, or a prayer walk in your neighborhood. Your tent might be in the mindful meditation of a few deep breaths. We all need a "Tent of Meeting" with God in our daily lives. Wherever it is for you, be encouraged that God will meet you there!
“God, thank you for being our friend. Thank you for making your plans known to us. Thank you for being a friend to anyone that wants to inquire of you!”
Posted in Notes from Pastor Adrian
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