Sacred Spaces

Moses used to take the tent and pitch it outside the camp, far off from the camp, and he called it the tent of meeting. And everyone who sought the Lord would go out to the tent of meeting, which was outside the camp. When Moses entered the tent, the pillar of cloud would descend and stand at the entrance of the tent, and the Lord would speak with Moses. Thus the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. Exodus 33:7, 9, 11

This phrase, "as a man speaks to his friend" delights my heart! The idea that the Lord desires our company, conversation, and friendship is thrilling!

I have a few observations about this passage: First, God enjoyed Moses's company so much that he would meet him frequently, possibly daily, for fellowship. I assume that Moses pitched the Tent of Meeting often, because how else would a relationship grow without frequent conversation?

Secondly, verse 7 says, “Moses used to take the tent and pitch it outside the camp, far off from the camp.” Moses made a deliberate and consistent effort to spend time with God, to speak to him, and to listen to him.

The fact that he pitched the tent “outside the camp” appears as a separation from the noise and distracting buzz of the camp. God is holy and not to be approached casually. It would take a reverent effort to approach God.

Verse 9 says, “When Moses entered the tent, the pillar of cloud would descend and stand at the entrance of the tent, and the Lord would speak with Moses.” The pillar of cloud that came down was the presence and guidance of God as the Israelites journeyed through the wilderness. It was visible evidence that God accompanied them, protected them, and guided them. When Moses set up the tent of meeting, it shows the Lord is willing and ready to meet with those who wanted his presence and guidance. But the pillar of cloud also separated people and God to some extent; Moses was the mediator, and although God dwelled with his people, guided them, protected them, it was Moses who had direct access to him and was his friend.

“Thus the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend.” (Verse 11) This direct communication was special to Moses, as others who sought God were welcome to come, but only Moses could speak to him directly as a friend. I'm sure, like any friendship, Moses looked forward to this time with God. It sounds like King David later penning, "My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?" (Psalm 42:2) If there is a strong, intimate connection between God and me, I am constantly communication with Him. My dependency on Him and adoration for Him would be always at the forefront of my deep commitment and thanksgiving to Him.

Today, although we can speak to God directly, I don’t think I stop often enough to stand in amazement and wonder and just think about that fact. We have direct access to God, and there is a reason for that. We know that God came to the world and dwelt among us when He sent His Son Jesus. John 1:14 says, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

Jesus Christ came to earth as the Mediator between us and God. Through His sacrifice on the cross, Jesus has granted us direct access to God. Hebrews 4:16 says, “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” We can go directly to our own Tent of Meeting, our Sacred Space, and commune with God the Father, finding grace and mercy in our time of need.

As Moses and those who truly sought God went to the Tent of Meeting, we must also go to our own Tent of Meeting every day and seek God in our Sacred Space. This concept of figuratively pitching a Tent of Meeting to seek the face of God, petition His presence, and sit in His glory is such a privilege! We can cultivate a friendship with Him, as we have access to the very throne room of God.

So the question remains, do I take this Golden Opportunity to fellowship with the Creator of the Universe as a friend? Do I go to my Sacred Space, my Tent of Meeting, to find guidance and direction? To request protection? To worship?

This Tent of Meeting does not need to be anything elaborate: just a time and a place to meet with God. I must not leave it to chance or feelings. Like Moses, I need to deliberately and consistently pitch my tent and create this Sacred Space.

Recently I was in Havana, Cuba. One of the days as I was wondering through the city with my family, we came across Templo de la Merced Church. Of course, the door was wide open for anyone to enter. And upon entering, my breath was taken away. A bubble of emotion came to my throat because I was stunned at the splendor and beauty that drew my eye straight up to heaven. Frescos were painted on every square inch of the peeling walls. Saints and angels were depicted amont the hundreds of corners and spaces on the walls, the vaults and beams of the ceilings. The very air was splendidly close to God. I sat a few rows of pews from the front and took it all in, prayed, and worshiped quietly.

Of course, my everyday place of prayer and communion is much more humble. I have a couple of Scared Spaces that I typically go to. First, I get up early before the household becomes a busy hum of activity and noise. I either pitch my tent in my favorite chair or, if I am especially determined to seek God, I’ll sit at the dining room table. I’ll typically have a cup of coffee and wake up a bit, praying my thanks before I get started.

The other Sacred Space is my car. I live in a rural community, so driving is part of the lifestyle. Over a year ago, I stopped listening to the radio, and I do not stream anything. In this silence I pray and listen to God.

The idea of sitting in the presence of God should not be intimidating for His children. He is lovingly welcoming you to come. Remember, we are invited to come to His throne of grace with confidence! This confidence isn’t because we should be confident in ourselves. Our confidence is in Jesus Christ, our Great High Priest, who has already been tempted as we are and understands our problems (Hebrews 4:15). He has already paid the penalty of our sin, and God Himself has forgiven us. The throne is not a place of condemnation, but a place of grace and mercy. We can be honest, direct, and straight forward without fear.

We all have different circumstances, different lives, different opportunities that God has given us. And each one of us has at least one place and time to pitch our Tent of Meeting. We must not miss out on the opportunity to commune with God in our Sacred Space.