The Principal’s Message – The Presence of God

I just want to be where you are” is a well known song of recent years. Dwelling daily in His presence will serve any Christian well in helping to ensure his or her place in this New Season of God’s favor. (Isa 43:19) The significance of the presence of God and its benefit for us today can be seen in examining the Ark of the Covenant, which for a time was part of Moses Tabernacle. Let us examine the three items contained in the Ark for in doing so we obtain keys and perspective for what God is doing today.

Heb 9:4 Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant:

1. The golden pot that had manna speaks of the hidden truths of God’s Word. At Tung Ling we put a high premium on the study and meditation of God’s Word. Is the Bible a part of your daily spiritual diet? Consider the following verse: Num 11:6 But now our soul is dried away: there is nothing at all, beside this manna, before our eyes. The children of Israel began to despise or lightly regard God’s daily provision. They were not thankful which resulted in the seeking after of other pleasures. In many places the study of God’s Word is being substituted for programs and activities that diminish the church’s effectiveness in meeting today’s demands. Consider the man in the following verse: Mat 13:44 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. This is the attitude of heart that is needed in our approach towards the Bible. Seek for the treasures, the hidden truths that God reveals through His Word. Prov 25:2 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.
2. Aaron’s rod that budded speaks of authority and resurrection life. (Num 16-17) The leadership of Moses was being challenged due to his lifting up the standard of holiness. (Num 16:1-3) Even today the preaching of the cross proves to be an offense to many. As the leaders of the 12 tribes placed their respective rods before the congregation, the rod of Aaron took on life and budded above the others. God demonstrated who had the true message and authority. (Num 17:8) And it came to pass, that on the morrow Moses went into the tabernacle of witness; and, behold, the rod of Aaron for the house of Levi was budded, and brought forth buds, and bloomed blossoms, and yielded almonds. Aaron’s rod also gives a picture of resurrection power. The apostle Paul not only believed that Christ rose from the dead but he wanted the reality and experience of resurrection power in his own life. (Phil 3:10) Are you experiencing barrenness in areas of your life? Are you still looking for the realities of unfulfilled promises that God has spoken to you? Do your hopes resemble the dry bones that are illustrated in Eze 37? Be encouraged and cry out for resurrection power. Believe God and take Him at His Word.
3. The Tables of the Covenant speaks of God’s law. Today, lawlessness abounds everywhere. The sense of right and wrong has been lost, which has given way to moral relativism. (No objective understanding of right and wrong) Why do we find God’s laws (10 commandments) being removed from schools and public places? They represent absolutes that man chooses not to live by. (Mal 3:6) For I am the LORD, I change not…More than ever the church must become a clarion voice which will reflect who God is, what He is like and the laws by which His kingdom is governed. God is preparing a company of New Testament priests who will effectively teach the precepts of the Lord. (Neh 8:8) So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.

It is important to note that the Ark of the Covenant was not always stationery. The purpose of the Ark’s journey in the Old Testament from Shiloh to Zion was to determine those who had a true love for God’s presence. The items contained in the Ark help to give perspective and understanding as to how we can be those who learn to dwell daily in His presence. We at Tung Ling pray that in this New Season of God’s favor, each student will have an ever growing love for the Word of God as represented by the Golden pot of manna. To seek to uphold God’s standards while experiencing the realities of resurrection life, as seen in Aaron’s rod, that budded, and finally, to be a people who make known the ways of God to the people. To have a love for the law of the Lord as David did who had the privilege of bearing the presence of God before the people upon the holy hill of Zion. (Psa 19:7-10) Amen.

Reverend Tim O’Connell
Principal