created to worship him forever
"On the first day of the first month of the second year the Dwelling was erected. It was Moses who erected the Dwelling." —Exodus 40:17-18
The grand finale of the book of Exodus is the completion of the Dwelling, the place on earth where God was most powerfully and intimately present. The plagues led to the Exodus, leading to the miraculous crossing of the Red Sea. This was followed by Moses' reception of the divine Law on Mt. Sinai. This finally culminates in the construction of the Dwelling.
The goal of life is to enter into God's presence most deeply and to worship Him forever in heaven. The plagues, miracles, and laws of our lives are not random. They are ordered to bringing us into the holy of holies of God's presence to worship Him. We exist "to praise His glory" (Eph 1:12).
Have you focused your life on worshipping God? Do you do "good deeds" and share what you have (Heb 13:16) so as to "continually offer God a sacrifice of praise"? (Heb 13:15) Have you offered "your bodies as a living sacrifice holy and acceptable to God, your spiritual Worship"? (Rm 12:1) You are alive today to worship the Lord. Worship is the goal of your life and the essence of eternity at God's throne in heaven. Worship Him "in Spirit and truth" (Jn 4:23).
Prayer: Father, more and more make the desire of my heart to worship You.
Promise: "Angels will go out and separate the wicked from the just and hurl the wicked into the fiery furnace." —Mt 13:49-50
Praise: St. Ignatius asked himself, "What if I should do what St. Francis or St. Dominic did?" and then with God's grace he did.
Reference: (Pray about teaching the Bible. You may wish to order our audio or video tapes on the Bible Teachers Series. Our eight-tape audio series starts with AV 5A-1. Our four-part video series starts with V-5A.)
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Ralph J. Lawrence, December 29, 2002
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, December 31, 2002