Lessons from the Torah

If any of you have ever read the Bible from cover to cover you know that the books of Exodus and Leviticus are not exactly the most exciting books to read. In fact, you probablly want to skip that part. Well due to the busyness of life I have been listening to the Bible on tape in my car during my 20 minute commute to and from work. I have finally finished the book of Exodus and am beginning the book of Leviticus. I can't tell you how many times I have wanted to hit fast forward or switch tape to a more interesting one. But I have learned one lesson while listening to these books. GOD CARES ABOUT DETAILS!!! As the Israelites were building the Tabernacle God gave them specific instruction on the size and color of the curtains, where bronze and gold should be used, and even the exact placement of the precious stones that were to be on Aaron's robe.
In Leviticus, God tells the Israelites exactly what and how they should make their sacrifices, right down to how to clean the animal to prepare it.
If God cares so much about these details, surely he must care about the details of our lives. I know that sometimes I find myself bringing "petty" things to God, but to God there are no petty things. He cares about them. He loves us that much that it doesn't matter what we bring to Him, He will listen to our prayers.

Another lesson I learned just today at church came from the story of Simeon when he met Jesus as a baby in the temple. The scripture in Luke 2 states that Simeon was eagerly expecting the birth of the Messiah. It also states that he was "filled with the Holy Spirit." This was approx. 34 years before Pentacost. Can you imagine knowing that the God was going to let you live to see the birth of the Messiah and that you were so righteous that God filled you with the Holy Spirit years before He filled anyone else? These days were are waiting on Christ to return to take us home with him. Are we eagerly expecting Him living righteous, spirit-filled lives, or are we living dull, hum-drum lives going through the day-to day routines of life? I know for me the latter is true. I am challenged by this message to eagerly await Christ's return and to devote myself to Him. Then maybe the pieces of my life that are so scatterd in places I can't seem to find will fall back into place.