Exodus 37:1 – 9 “Bezalel went on to construct the ark of acacia wood, two and a half cubits long, a cubit and a half wide, and a cubit and a half high. He overlaid it with pure gold, both inside and out, and made a gold molding around it. And he cast four gold rings for its four feet, two rings on one side and two on the other. Then he made poles of acacia wood and overlaid them with gold. He inserted the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark in order to carry it.
He constructed a mercy seat of pure gold, two and a half cubits long and a cubit and a half wide. He made two cherubim of hammered gold at the ends of the mercy seat, one cherub on one end and one on the other, all made from one piece of gold. And the cherubim had wings that spread upward, overshadowing the mercy seat. The cherubim faced one another, looking toward the mercy seat. (The ark was approximately 3.75 feet long, 2.25 feet wide, and 2.25 feet high (114.3 centimeters long, 68.6 centimeters wide, and 68.6 centimeters high. The mercy seat was approximately 3.75 feet long and 2.25 feet wide (114.3 centimeters long and 68.6 centimeters wide).
APPLICATION: Lamentations 3:22-23 says, “It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness.” A few days ago, I quoted the poem “Invictus.” The name of the poem means “unconquered” in Latin. The poet asserts that he is the captain of his fate and the master of his soul. Nothing could really be further from the truth! While we might like to THINK that we are in charge of ourselves, this is an illusion. True, we are creatures of free will and can make wise decisions or foolish ones. But in the end, there is relatively little about our lives that we actually control.
Recently my sisters were clearing out the house my dad and my stepmother had lived in for all of their married lives. Among the things my sisters found was a clipping describing the auto accident that nearly claimed my father’s life in July 1955. It was the time of oats harvest and Dad was returning from getting parts to repair his combine so that he could complete the harvest. Unfortunately, a drunk driver roaring down the road crossed the center line, hitting Dad head – on. Dad was so seriously injured that he had a near – death experience in which he saw his grandparents and others in heaven. From my knowledge as a surgeon, I can confidently state that it was only God’s mercy that kept Dad from dying that night.
We are approaching the twentieth anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, a day of infamy second only to the attack on Pearl Harbor. That morning my husband and I were flying out of Newark Airport, looking down at the World Trade Center. By the time we reached Charleston, SC, the Trade Center was already collapsing. Only the mercy of God delivered those who survived that disaster.
For anyone who continues to cling to the beliefs expressed in “Invictus,” the events of the last year should serve as a stark reminder. Even with the best of precautions, and sometimes even with the best treatments, we can develop terrible health problems. It is only God’s mercy that continues to preserve us!
One interesting point that I have never seen raised is this: just how did Bezalel and Oholiab know what cherubim would look like? I have no answer!
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for Your mercies that are new every morning! Thank You for Your faithfulness! Thank You for caring for us. Help us to love You and to serve You all the days of our lives. In the matchless Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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