A Willing Heart

Then everyone came whose heart was stirred, and everyone whose spirit was willing, and they brought the LORD’s offering for the work of the tabernacle of meeting, for all its service, and for the holy garments.

—Exodus 35:21

Here we see a spirit of generosity in the Israelites when they gave to build the tabernacle of the Lord. 

When asked to provide materials for the sanctuary, everyone whose spirit was willing brought the Lord’s offering for the work of the tabernacle. 

The Israelites eagerly donated their gold jewelry, colored thread, fine linen, silver, bronze, gemstones, and spices. Some also gave their time and talents.

If we follow the Israelites’ example and willingly donate our resources, we please and honor God with our attitude and offerings. 

The Lord, who sees and knows our thoughts and hearts, loves cheerful givers. 

He Himself is the best example of generosity (John 3:16). 

The Lord Jesus Christ gave everything He had for our sake. 

Let us give with a willing heart so that our gifts will truly honor Him.

The LORD is my Refuge

The name of the LORD is a strong tower;

The righteous run to it and are safe. 

—Proverbs 18:10

As Christians, we can take refuge in the presence of the living God. 

The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.

“The name of the Lord” refers to God’s character, abounding with faithfulness, power, and mercy. 

The term "safe" means “set on high out of danger.”

We all face threats at times that make us want to run for cover. 

Some seek security in material wealth or relationships. 

But Christians has a more secure refuge. 

Because of who God is and what He can do for us, our best protection ultimately rests in Him. 

If we are facing a threat today, we go to the Lord, who is a strong tower. 

We will find refuge in His care.

Lay Your Foundation With Sapphires

“O you afflicted one,
Tossed with tempest, and not comforted,
Behold, I will lay your stones with colorful gems,
And lay your foundations with sapphires."
- Isaiah 54:11

Everything of the Church, seen and unseen, is precious to God.

The foundations of the Church are out of sight.

But in God's work, everything is valuable.

The deep foundations of the work of grace are as precious as sapphires.

No human mind can measure their glory.

(1) We build upon the strong foundations of the covenant of grace.

Sapphire foundations are eternal.

The covenant abides forever.

(2) Another foundation is the person of the Lord Jesus, which is clear and spotless, everlasting and beautiful as the sapphire.

We see Him radiant with the soft blue of love, love abounding, deep, eternal.

(3) Our eternal hopes are built upon the justice and the faithfulness of God, which are clear and cloudless as the sapphire.

We are saved by mercy defeating justice.

The Lord Himself has laid the foundation of His people's hopes.

Our hopes are built upon what God had done for us.

Good works and ceremonies are not a foundation of sapphires.

They are not laid by God, but by our own conceit.

All foundations will be tried before long.

Woe to him whose foundations shall come down with a crash.

He whose foundation is built on sapphires may await trials with confidence, for he shall abide the test.

Without Blemish

You are all fair, my love,
And there is no spot in you.
- Song of Solomon 4:7 -

The Lord pronounced His Church positively full of beauty.

He confirms His praise by a precious negative: "And there is no spot in you."

The Church is universally and entirely fair.

She is utterly devoid of stain. She is free from the slightest spot. All forms of defilement have been removed from her.

There is eternal reason for joy.

Christ Jesus has no quarrel with His spouse.

She may wander from Him.

She may grieve His Holy Spirit.

But He does not allow her faults to affect His love.

He sometimes chides, but it is always in the tenderest manner, and with the kindest intentions.

The Lord has no remembrance of our follies. 

He does not cherish ill thoughts of us.

The Lord always loves and pardons us.

He knows our silly hearts too well to take offence at our ill manners.

The Church is spotless and without blemish in His sight.