Tent- Ative.

"Whenever the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance to the tent, they all stood and worshipped, each at the entrance to his tent." (Exodus 33:10)

"Moses heard the people of every family wailing, each at the entrance to his tent. The LORD became exceedingly angry, and Moses was troubled." (Numbers 11:10)

At the beginning of this past Sunday's sermon, Pastor Rosemarie asked an important question: what is happening at the entrance to our tent?

Worship brings honor to God. Friends, what would our church look like if we each, individually, were diligent in seeking the face of God? Have we relegated the task of intercession to the "Moses and Joshua"s of the world, or would a peek into our homes and hearts reveal a longing for God's program to be accomplished in the world? What an incredible response the Israelites showed: "God is speaking to our leader: I'm going to worship the LORD while He speaks to Moses." Would you be willing to do that for Pastor Sam and our pastoral team? "Lord, I worship You and I am trusting that as I worship You, You are revealing Your word to our pastors."

Wailing brings dishonor to God. When God has given us something to sustain and nourish us (as He did in ancient Israel by feeding them with manna), it's very dangerous to complain in the face of God's gracious provision. The Numbers 11 passage closes with the death of the Israelites who despised the manna and craved other food. Why? Because they angered God with their complaining and their continued longing after Egyptian cuisine. What were they saying? "God, we'd rather have remained slaves in Egypt than to walk with You." Wow. I hope we're not doing a modern-day equivalent of that sort of grumbling.

So, are you worshipping? Or are you wailing?