Daily Treasure

“And thou shalt make a candlestick of pure gold of beaten work shall the candlestick be made:” (Exodus 25:31a).

Take time to read Exodus 25:31-40.  It is the account of a beautifully crafted lampstand which was part of the Tabernacle’s furniture. In the Holy Place of the tabernacle there was no window to let in natural light. Our study writer states, “With beauty, this Tabernacle furnishing pointed to the glory of God, the evidence of His presence, and His provision of direction for His people.”

This week we will be focusing on the lampstand in the Tabernacle. This was an extraordinary work fashioned by God with directions on how to construct it and take care of it.  The continuous burning light was to be a constant reminder that God’s presence is always with His people.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Who is your valentine?  Pray about claiming someone who needs a special smile today, then share some time together. Not all gifts are wrapped in paper.  Just let this person know you sincerely care.

“He reached down from heaven and rescued me; he drew me out of the deep waters.  He delivered me from my powerful enemies, from those who hated me and were too strong for me.  They attacked me at a moment when I was weakest, but the Lord upheld me.  He led me to a place of safety; he rescued me because he delights in me”  (2 Samuel 22:17-20 NLT)

I have to tell you, God’s power amazes me.  What He is able to do, what He has done, what is well within His power to do—when the time is right.  Power is an awesome thing to watch on display.

God’s grace is another characteristic of which I stand in awe.  What He’s willing to forgive—and forget. . .Who He is willing to accept and ordain. . .How He is able to look beyond the blackness of sin and see potential. . .Grace is amazing.

But what excites me the most about my Lord?  His love for me.  He loves me.  Not just a liking.  Not only a crush.  His love doesn’t apply only on days when I’m at my best. He (as today’s verses tell us) delights in me.

He desires that I be in His presence.  He waits for me to seek His face.  He holds in His hands blessings only a beloved child can receive.  He keeps me safe, not only because it’s His job or because it’s expected of Him, but because His love for me pushes Him to do it.  He, and this will be hard for those of you who know me to understand, He really and truly loves me.

Now that’s pure excitement.  To know I’m loved that much?  To know I’m loved despite myself?  To know that the Creator of this great, big, beautiful world is in love with me? Now that gives me goosebumps.

Malinda Edgell
Illinois

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray today for FWBHM and FWBIM office personnel. Many work long hours providing missionaries valuable help and assistance.

“Then they said to Jeremiah, May the Lord your God be a faithful witness against us if we refuse to obey whatever he tells us to do!  Whether we like it or not, we will obey the Lord our God to whom we send you with our plea…”  (Jeremiah 42:5-6 NLT).
Could you say the same?  Would you be willing to stand with the people who stood before Jeremiah and proclaim you were going to obey God whether you liked it or not? Could you really say it?  Would you mean it?

Have you said it?  In a moment of surrender?  In the middle of a deep valley?  At the edge of a life-changing experience?  Did you mumble the same words?

Have you followed up on what you promised to do?  Honestly now, have you put yourself aside, the selfish desires, the easier routes, the more sensible thoughts, and obeyed Him—whether you wanted to or not?

I stand and applaud you if you have, but the rest of us are sitting here in the audience shaking our heads and knowing we haven’t followed through on our promises.  We haven’t forsaken ourselves for His will.  We’ve never given a second thought to doing anything other than what we want to do.

Like it or not, we’ll obey.  Strong words, wouldn’t you agree?

Malinda Edgell
Illinois

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for the ministry of The Gideons International.

“Yet thou in thy manifold mercies forsookest them not in the wilderness: the pillar of the cloud departed not from them by day, to lead them in the way; neither the pillar of fire by night, to shew them light, and the way wherein they should go” (Nehemiah 9:19).

The verses for yesterday and today are there as monuments of God’s mercy. God could have forsaken Israel and shut off His light. But a loving God kept His light on for His people.

Oh, how we need God to keep things in our remembrance—to remind us of all he has brought us through. As we walk in the light of God’s love, He patiently leaves the light on to guide us, so we won’t wander off into darkness.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for your WAC or women’s ministry leader. Surprise her with a gift of flowers/cookies or just a big smile.

“Morever thou leddest them in the day by a cloudy pillar; and in the night by a pillar of fire, to give them light in the way wherein they should go” (Nehemiah 9:12).

After their wilderness journey, the Israelites repented of their sins and God restored them. Their hearts had been hard. They needed to pray and confess their sins. Many died in the wilderness; others were born there.  Moses gave a new generation a refresher course in the Law before they entered the Promised Land. Now, years later yet another generation needed a review of all God had done for His people.  There, an assembly of the people—some who had endured Baylonian captivity and some who had remained in the devastated “promised land” met to hear the words of the Law. Their hearts were melted. They “saw the light” and confessed their sins.  They were humbled by the remembrance of today’s verse.  True revival broke out as the forgiven Israelites worshiped the Lord.

When God sheds His light upon your soul, what does the light reveal?  Is there sin that needs to be dealt with?   Call to remembrance all God has brought you through.  With love and mercy  He stands ready to forgive and restore your joy.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Do you use current missionary directories in prayer? Obtain these vital tools here:
FWBIM directory
FWBHM directory

“And the angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of cloud went from before their face, and stood behind them:  And it became between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of  Israel; and it was a cloud and darkness to them, but it gave light by night to these: so that the one came not near the other all the night” (Exodus 14:19-20).

Yesterday our verses dealt with two pillars of light God made to shine for the Israelites in the wilderness. A sovereign God reversed one of them to protect them from Pharaoh’s army.

In doing so, He set the stage to perform the miracle of the Red Sea.

Trust Him to provide safety and protection when eminent danger surrounds you. He will confound the darkness, so you will move on unharmed.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for the physical health of all our missionaries.

“And  the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night: He took not away the pillar of cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people” (Exodus 13:21-22).

God will always create a way to lead His people—no matter what road they choose to travel. The Israelites chose to move away from God.  They would have to take a detour from their trip to the Promised Land. God didn’t give up on them. He offered a heavenly GPS for them.  It took 40 years in the wilderness but God kept His light on them as they wandered.

If your life seems dry and barren and you aren’t as close to God as you once were, never  wonder who moved.  Look up.  His Light is still there.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Schooling for MKs can be a problem.  Ask the Lord to give MKs and their parents wisdom in choosing schools or homeschool materials.