The last section of the Tabernacle is the Holy of Holies, where the Ark of the Covenant is located and where God's presence resides. Moses went into the Holy of Holies to speak with the LORD. Moses would hear the voice of God speaking to him from above the mercy seat, which is the cover of the Ark of the Covenant (Numbers 7:89). It was in that place that God would give direction and encouragement to Moses. And when God wants to lead the Nation of Israel, the Ark of the Covenant would be in front of them to lead the way. Numbers 10:33 says, "They marched for three days after leaving the mountain of the LORD, with the Ark of the LORD's Covenant moving ahead of them to show them where to stop and rest." When God led the Nation of Israel to march around the wall of Jericho for seven days, the Ark of the Covenant was in the front, guiding them (Joshua 6:1-27). The Ark of the Covenant was put back in the Holy of Holies of the Tabernacle when the nation of Israel was encamped. Today, we do not need the Ark of the Covenant to experience the presence of God. John 14:23 says, "Jesus replied, 'All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them.'"
The moment we believe in Jesus as our Lord and Savior, the Spirit of God immediately comes inside of us, and we become the Temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19). The Spirit of God resides in us, and He convicts us of our sins when we sin. The Spirit of God is also the one who guides and leads us to the right way. We do not know what happened to the physical Ark of the Covenant. The Ark of the Covenant was in the Temple that Herod rebuilt, but when the Roman soldiers destroyed the temple in 70 AD, no one knew what happened to it. I believe God hid it or destroyed it because we do not need it anymore. People may be tempted to worship the physical Ark of the Covenant rather than God Himself if the Ark of the Covenant is found today.
God used the Ark of the Covenant during the Old Testament, but when our Lord Jesus Christ came to save us from our sins, we did not need the Ark of the Covenant to experience His presence anymore because He lives in us.
Questions for application: (Think through these questions carefully, meditate on them while answering them, and let the Spirit of God speak to you.) Do I still need the Ark of the Covenant to experience God's presence? Why don't I need the Ark of the Covenant anymore? What can I learn from today's devotion?
Take a moment to write down all your worries today. Then, lift them up to God in prayer, surrendering them to His will and trusting in His guidance.
Prayer:
Dear Father in Heaven, thank you for your presence in my life. I don't need the Ark of the Covenant to speak to you. You know everything that is going on in my life and know my feelings because you live in me. Please help me to be more aware of your presence in my life so that I may live and rest in you. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.
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