The Israelites are to camp around the tent of meeting some distance from it, each of them under their standard and holding the banners of their family. Numbers 2:2

Most people and businesses have something that they center on or focus on. It is often what gives them meaning and purpose to their life.

Temporary pleasures and things are what most people will focus on. These can be things or even people, such as family. Immediate pleasure is the desire of the world. A few will focus on longer term things, such as retirement and long-term health.

God told the Israelites to set up the camp around the tent of meeting with their standards and banners.

All of the Israelite families were to have their home tents set up around the tent of meeting. The tent of meeting was the tabernacle where God would meet with the priests and Moses. It was the ‘church’ during the Old Testament period of life.

As the world is focused upon the here and now and temporary pleasures, the believer is to focus his entire life upon God and eternity. The things and pleasures of this world will fail and fade away, but God’s kingdom will never end. Life with God will last for eternity.

Although most believers cannot work full time a church and dedicate their entire life to church, every believer can focus on doing the work of God on this earth.

To know the work of God to be done, each and every believer is to spend time with God, both listening and speaking to Him. This can occur regardless of where he is or what time it is.

The believer has become the temple of God, the place where God dwells. His life is camped near the temple of God to meet with God on a continual basis.

As with every person, you have many things that call for your attention each day. Your first focus should always be upon God and what He desires for your life. Center everything that you say, think and do in this life upon what God wants you to say, think or do.

Do not allow yourself to camp out in this fallen world of sin. All the things of this world are temporary and will fail. God will never fail or go away.

What is at the center of your life?

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will center your life upon God and His word; that God will give you strength to overcome the temporary pulls of this fallen world; and that the world will see that you serve God with all of your life.