We made it to camp early in the afternoon. First order of business was to set up for the stay – get the tents up and get the kitchen set up under a pavilion area – griddles positioned, propane bottles hooked up, supplies organized and tables put up. Then basecamp was established for a beautiful week in the High Country of Central Colorado.
The first night, a mountain storm blew through that exposed how well set up we were. Tent stakes did not hold. Several tents were blown down and a number of rainflies did not adequately cover the tents to keep them dry. Sleeping bags and other gear got soaked. The covered area that housed the kitchen looked more like a homeless shelter than a men’s camping trip. Our set up for the stay proved inadequate for the conditions.
Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. … So the cloud of the Lord was over the tabernacle by day, and fire was in the cloud by night. – Exodus 40:34, 38. Moses spent forty days and nights on the mountain getting instructions from God for setting up the tabernacle. God detailed what offerings the Israelites were to bring for the tabernacle; He gave specific design criteria and dimensions for constructing the Ark that would go in the tabernacle; He provided the dimensions and construction criteria for the tabernacle itself as well as specific requirements for the curtains and all things that were to be in the tabernacle. Then God was just as specific in describing the garments the priests entering the tabernacle were to wear along with the process through which the priests would be consecrated before they could serve in the tabernacle. All had to be set up properly in order that the Lord could dwell with His people. When they came to the threshing floor of Kidon, Uzzah reached out his hand to steady the ark, because the oxen stumbled. The Lord’s anger burned against Uzzah, and He struck him down because he had put his hand on the ark. – 1Chronicles 13:9-10. David was intent on getting the ark back to its rightful place, Jerusalem. But in his fervor to honor God, he had not followed the instructions for handling the ark. The Lord’s instructions are not suggestions. Today we have the word of God – The Word became flesh … and literally ‘tabernacled among us’ (John 1:14). The Bible gives us the opportunity to properly set up our hearts and homes for the Lord to stay with us. Living under the authority of the word of God is foundational for a dad to set up for his stay in this world and lead his family spiritually by example.
Thanks to the dry air in Colorado and some sunshine, all dried out pretty quickly and we got a second shot at setting up for the balance of the stay. While not as extensive as God’s instructions to Moses, we do now have several pages of instructions on ‘What to Bring’, to ensure all are well equipped to set up for the stay in the High Country.
Prayer guide: Thank You Lord for Your Word and Your clear instructions. I confess, like David I often press on in my strength and my perspective of what needs to be done without consulting You through Your word and prayer. Forgive me. I do want to set up well for my stay in this world and lead my family spiritually by example. I can only do that if I set up the temple, my spirit, soul and body in a way that honors You. Grant me strength to do that under the authority of Your word. That is the dad You call me to be and that is the dad my kids need to see. Amen.
A faithful father sets up well for his stay in this world.
