Exodus 21 The Lord gives Moses "ordinances" - verdicts for certain acts; the act, place, suit, crime, and the penalty. As Moses heard the complaints of the people against one another, he had inquired of God, and here on the mountain, he is given a series of instructions on how to handle certain situations.
Verses 1-11 have to do with servants/slaves. We hate the idea of slavery so much that we can't even understand why it is allowed in Israel at this time. But, it was happening, and God gave instructions that would bring fair treatment to those who were in that situation.
v2 Hebrew slaves ( males) could only be bound to serve 6 years. After that they were to be freed.
v3 The family of the slave was to be freed also, unless the master had given him a wife. then she and her children would still remain with the master.
v5-6 A slave could choose to stay with his master and family permanently if he wanted to.
7-11 A girl who is sold by her father as a female slave would be treated differently than a man.
If the girl was meant for the master and he isn't pleased, then she must be redeemed.
If he gives her to his son, then she should be treated like a daughter.
If he marries someone else, then she has to be well cared for, or set free.
In Leviticus 25 more instructions are given. " And if a countryman of yours becomes so poor with regard to you that he sells himself to you, you shall not subject him to a slave's service. He shall be with you as a hired man, as if he were a sojourner with you, until the year of jubilee..... You shall not rule over him with severity, but are to revere your God."
And in Deuteronomy 15: 12-15 God says, " If your kinsman, a Hebrew man or woman, is sold to you, the he shall serve you six years, but in the seventh year you shall set him free. And when you set him free, you shall not send him away empty-handed . You shall furnish him liberally from your flock and from your threshing floor and from your wine vat; you shall give to him as the Lord your God has blessed you. And you shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the Lord Your God redeemed you; therefore I command you this today. "
These verdicts were only designated for fellow countrymen. People who were so poor, they needed help from their fellow citizens. It was temporary. It was protected. It was supposed to lead to the restoration of the man and his family.
But, the Israelites failed to obey. Jeremiah 34:13- 17;20 " Thus says the Lord God of Israel, ' I made a covenant with your forefathers in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage, saying, At the end of seven years each of you shall set free his Hebrew brother who has been sold to you and has served you six years, you shall send him out free from you; but your forefathers did not obey Me,or incline their ear to Me. Although recently you had turned and done what is right in My sight, each man proclaiming release to his neighbor, and you had made a covenant before Me in the house which is called by My name. Yet you turned and profaned My name, and each man took back his male servant and each man his female servant, whom you had set free according to their desire, and you brought them into subjection to be your male servants and female servants. Therefore thus says the Lord, You have not obeyed Me in proclaiming release each man to his brother, and each man to his neighbor; Behold, I am proclaiming a release to you, declares the Lord, to the sword, to the pestilence, and to the famine; and I will make you a terror to all the kingdoms of the earth.... and I will give them into the hand of their enemies....' "
We live in an evil world and we hear of those who are doing horrible things to each other. From this passage we can know that God cares about those who are being treated in this fashion and He will bring judgement. He commands us to "Love our neighbor as ourselves." To help those who need a helping hand. To treat each other with respect and fairness. And when we fail to do so, when greed and pride and the desire for power over others consumes us, He will give the same verdict - the sword, pestilence, and famine. We see this happening before our eyes - the swords are now guns; violent crimes, children shooting children; men and women shooting and killing their own family members; Pestilence - diseases that eat away our bodies; that devour our families; that bring destruction and death; And famine - physical starvation is a world-wide reality; spiritual starvation is even greater; The world searches for bread - and we have the Bread of Life!
Jesus, You are the Bread of Life. You are the Word that became flesh. You are the Light of the World and the Light of Life. You are the real Redeemer and we need You. Come Lord Jesus and bring Life and Light and Redemption to our world... to our neighbors, to our brothers and sisters, to our children and grandchildren. Hear our prayers, Father in Heaven, and fill us with Your Spirit that we may walk in the Light and bring Your Light to those who are in great need. Open our eyes and use as to proclaim the True release - Your deliverance from death and sin and slavery to the things of this world. We offer ourselves to You, our Heavenly Master, Whom we love and commit to serve You forever. Amen.
Monday, June 30, 2014
Friday, June 27, 2014
Exodus 20: 13-26 Five more foundational commandments are given -
"You shall not murder."
"You shall not commit adultery."
"You shall not steal."
"You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor."
"You shall not covet....anything that belongs to your neighbor."
Paul wrote in Romans 13:9-10 "for this, ' You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet' and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, ' You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' Love does no wrong to a neighbor; love therefore is the fulfillment of the law."
For the most part, most societies will agree that murder, stealing, and lying are wrong. Committing adultery has been rationalized and regulated to being an old-fashioned standard. And coveting - well, that is just normal human behavior...isn't it? And even murder is rationalized in the act of abortion and euthanasia .
God has not changed His mind about sin. His commandments are still valid, no matter what the world wants to think. Satan still wants us to doubt... saying, "Has God said...?" YES, He has!
And when we fail to acknowledge that He is God and that He has clearly made His will known to us by these commandments.... then He will give us over to this depraved thinking. The results are sickening: ".. being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful;... worthy of death..." ( Romans 1:28-32)
This is where our nation is heading. Breaking one law, ignoring or rationalizing against ONE of God's commands is the same as breaking them all. For it ignores the authority and sovereignty of the LORD, our God. We wonder how our nation has gotten so violent, how children can kill their families or take a gun to school and bring such devastation... we wonder why our economy is tanking and our politicians have no solutions.... we have failed to acknowledge God as God. We have allowed sin to be rationalized and justified by our courts and by those who hate God. We are being given over, as a nation, to the depraved thinking of unrighteousness. And one of the most obvious signs, Paul writes, is "For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error." Romans 1:26-27
Oh Father in Heaven, when You spoke to the people of Israel, they trembled. Moses told them that this was in order that they fear You and not sin. You spoke from Heaven and they knew that they must obey. But even they failed. Failed to remember and failed to obey. Our world has grown deaf and blind to You. Please speak again! Raise up Your church, your people, once again. To tremble and bow before You and to stand up and speak the Truth of Your Word. Forgive us Lord. Lead us back to Your commands and to Yourself. Amen.
"You shall not murder."
"You shall not commit adultery."
"You shall not steal."
"You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor."
"You shall not covet....anything that belongs to your neighbor."
Paul wrote in Romans 13:9-10 "for this, ' You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet' and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, ' You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' Love does no wrong to a neighbor; love therefore is the fulfillment of the law."
For the most part, most societies will agree that murder, stealing, and lying are wrong. Committing adultery has been rationalized and regulated to being an old-fashioned standard. And coveting - well, that is just normal human behavior...isn't it? And even murder is rationalized in the act of abortion and euthanasia .
God has not changed His mind about sin. His commandments are still valid, no matter what the world wants to think. Satan still wants us to doubt... saying, "Has God said...?" YES, He has!
And when we fail to acknowledge that He is God and that He has clearly made His will known to us by these commandments.... then He will give us over to this depraved thinking. The results are sickening: ".. being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful;... worthy of death..." ( Romans 1:28-32)
This is where our nation is heading. Breaking one law, ignoring or rationalizing against ONE of God's commands is the same as breaking them all. For it ignores the authority and sovereignty of the LORD, our God. We wonder how our nation has gotten so violent, how children can kill their families or take a gun to school and bring such devastation... we wonder why our economy is tanking and our politicians have no solutions.... we have failed to acknowledge God as God. We have allowed sin to be rationalized and justified by our courts and by those who hate God. We are being given over, as a nation, to the depraved thinking of unrighteousness. And one of the most obvious signs, Paul writes, is "For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error." Romans 1:26-27
Oh Father in Heaven, when You spoke to the people of Israel, they trembled. Moses told them that this was in order that they fear You and not sin. You spoke from Heaven and they knew that they must obey. But even they failed. Failed to remember and failed to obey. Our world has grown deaf and blind to You. Please speak again! Raise up Your church, your people, once again. To tremble and bow before You and to stand up and speak the Truth of Your Word. Forgive us Lord. Lead us back to Your commands and to Yourself. Amen.
Thursday, June 26, 2014
Exodus 20: 12 "Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be prolonged in the land which the Lord your God gives you."
Paul states in Ephesians 6:2 that this is the first commandment with a promise. A promise of prolonged days. A promise of life in the land of promise. The first 4 commandments concern our relationship with the Lord. The last 6 have to do with our relationships with each other. It is significant that this command is given prominence... for our relationships within the family are foundational.
What does it mean to us personally, what can we learn from this?
Leviticus 19:3 states, " Every one of you shall reverence his mother and his father...." Reverence indicates a holy fear. A deep respect. Honor - means to speak well of; to bless or praise. This is a relationship of great value and importance in God's eyes. It is to be protected and held sacred. If the family structure is corrupted, there is no hope for the community or the nation. It starts here. If a child does not learn respect for his parents, he will have no respect for anyone or anything else. Just looking at the daily newspaper or news on television proves that this is true!
Jesus blasted the Pharisees and scribes for transgressing this commandment for the sake of their "traditions". They were teaching the people to NOT honor their father or mother, instead giving their money to God-( but really to the religious leaders). "And thus you invalidated the word of God for the sake of your tradition." Mark added, ".. you no longer permit him to do anything for his father or his mother..." Even grown-up children have an obligation to honor and care for their parents. This is more important than any other responsibility - even in giving to God! It's that important to the Lord. We should be encouraging each other to be responsible for our parents, especially those who are elderly or in need. No matter what!
In Ephesians Paul tells children to obey their parents in the Lord, " for this is right". In Colossians 3:20 he says that this is "well-pleasing to the Lord." It is God's will for children to obey their parents "in the LORD". We don't have to question whether or not to obey, as long as we know our parents are walking with the Lord. ( It doesn't mean we should blindly obey parents who have evil intentions.) But, clearly Paul is teaching here that part of what it means to honor our parents is obedience.
Proverbs 6:20-23 " My son observe the commandment of your father, and do not forsake the teaching of your mother; Bind them continually on your heart; tie them around your neck, when you walk about they will guide you; when you sleep they will watch over you; and when you awake they will talk to you. For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching is light; and reproofs for discipline are the way of life." Godly parents who lead their children in the ways of the Lord and who teach their children the Truth of God's Word - equip their children for life. To bring up our children, taking them to church, encouraging them to learn Bible verses, talking to them about Jesus every day - leading them to faith in Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord - these are honorable parents.
To sum it up:
The proper parent-child relationship is vital in God's opinion!
This relationship is to be protected and cherished all life long !
Obedience is God's will!
Obedience is essential and rewarding.
Father in heaven, You are our perfect Father . We are thankful for that truth. We give You our reverence and honor. We bless Your holy Name. Teach us to carefully walk in Your ways. To be obedient children, to please You in all respects. Help us to be godly examples for our children and grand-children, and our great - grandchildren. May they honor their parents in the Lord. May those who are raising children now teach Your commands and show them Your path that they might have life. Eternal life. Let us not waste time on lesser things. May men of God rise up to be the fathers that they need to be. Our nation is in dire need for godly men to be honorable fathers. May it be so, by Your Grace and Power, to the honor and glory of Your Name. Amen
Paul states in Ephesians 6:2 that this is the first commandment with a promise. A promise of prolonged days. A promise of life in the land of promise. The first 4 commandments concern our relationship with the Lord. The last 6 have to do with our relationships with each other. It is significant that this command is given prominence... for our relationships within the family are foundational.
What does it mean to us personally, what can we learn from this?
Leviticus 19:3 states, " Every one of you shall reverence his mother and his father...." Reverence indicates a holy fear. A deep respect. Honor - means to speak well of; to bless or praise. This is a relationship of great value and importance in God's eyes. It is to be protected and held sacred. If the family structure is corrupted, there is no hope for the community or the nation. It starts here. If a child does not learn respect for his parents, he will have no respect for anyone or anything else. Just looking at the daily newspaper or news on television proves that this is true!
Jesus blasted the Pharisees and scribes for transgressing this commandment for the sake of their "traditions". They were teaching the people to NOT honor their father or mother, instead giving their money to God-( but really to the religious leaders). "And thus you invalidated the word of God for the sake of your tradition." Mark added, ".. you no longer permit him to do anything for his father or his mother..." Even grown-up children have an obligation to honor and care for their parents. This is more important than any other responsibility - even in giving to God! It's that important to the Lord. We should be encouraging each other to be responsible for our parents, especially those who are elderly or in need. No matter what!
In Ephesians Paul tells children to obey their parents in the Lord, " for this is right". In Colossians 3:20 he says that this is "well-pleasing to the Lord." It is God's will for children to obey their parents "in the LORD". We don't have to question whether or not to obey, as long as we know our parents are walking with the Lord. ( It doesn't mean we should blindly obey parents who have evil intentions.) But, clearly Paul is teaching here that part of what it means to honor our parents is obedience.
Proverbs 6:20-23 " My son observe the commandment of your father, and do not forsake the teaching of your mother; Bind them continually on your heart; tie them around your neck, when you walk about they will guide you; when you sleep they will watch over you; and when you awake they will talk to you. For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching is light; and reproofs for discipline are the way of life." Godly parents who lead their children in the ways of the Lord and who teach their children the Truth of God's Word - equip their children for life. To bring up our children, taking them to church, encouraging them to learn Bible verses, talking to them about Jesus every day - leading them to faith in Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord - these are honorable parents.
To sum it up:
The proper parent-child relationship is vital in God's opinion!
This relationship is to be protected and cherished all life long !
Obedience is God's will!
Obedience is essential and rewarding.
Father in heaven, You are our perfect Father . We are thankful for that truth. We give You our reverence and honor. We bless Your holy Name. Teach us to carefully walk in Your ways. To be obedient children, to please You in all respects. Help us to be godly examples for our children and grand-children, and our great - grandchildren. May they honor their parents in the Lord. May those who are raising children now teach Your commands and show them Your path that they might have life. Eternal life. Let us not waste time on lesser things. May men of God rise up to be the fathers that they need to be. Our nation is in dire need for godly men to be honorable fathers. May it be so, by Your Grace and Power, to the honor and glory of Your Name. Amen
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
Exodus 20: 8-11 The Sabbath - the day of rest, a holy day, set apart from labor; set apart for the LORD our God.
Right from the beginning of time, the Lord ordained a day of rest, a day to cease from work. In the creation, the Lord worked 6 days and rested on the seventh. We are told the He "blessed the sabbath day and made it holy." This was a deliberate plan that God Himself set into motion, for His purposes.
This had already been introduced to the nation of Israel in the gathering of manna. They gathered 6 days and on the 6th they gathered enough for the 7th day too. This was a practice that tested them to see if they would obey. Now it is given as a Law.
Yet it is also Grace! The Sabbath is actually a gift to man. Jesus tells us, " The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath." ( Mark 2:27) It is a day of rest for everyone. Every man, woman, and child; every worker; and even every animal. It is also to be kept "holy". Pure, clean, consecrated.
This command was a struggle for the Israelites... and also seems to be a struggle for modern mankind too.
Ex. 31:12-18 - the observance of the Sabbath is a sign between God and the Israelites. It is a covenant. It is forever. The consequence of profaning the Sabbath was death.
Jeremiah, at the time of Israel's impending exile, spoke, "Thus says the Lord, 'Take heed for yourselves and do not carry any load on the sabbath day or bring anything in through the gates of Jerusalem. And you shall not bring a load out of your houses on the sabbath day nor do any work, but keep the sabbath day holy, as I commanded your forefathers.' Yet they did not listen or incline their ears but stiffened their necks in order not to listen or take correction."( Jer. 17:21-23) The Lord goes on to say that if the would listen and obey this one commandment - He would give them kings and princes and Jerusalem would be free! But if not, He would "kindle a fire in its gates, and it will devour the palaces of Jerusalem and not be quenched." ( v27) Which is what happened, for they didn't obey any more than their forefathers had.
Israel failed to obey this command, as well as the command to have no other gods, and were sent into captivity to Babylon. Ezekiel spoke about this, " And also I gave them My sabbaths to be a sign between Me and them, that they might know that I am the Lord who sanctifies them. But the house of Israel rebelled against Me ... and My sabbaths they greatly profaned. "
After they returned to their land they had to be reprimanded again. Nehemiah wrote, " In those days I saw in Judah some who were treading wine presses on the sabbath and bringing in sacks of grain and loading them on donkeys, as well as wine, grapes, figs, and all kinds of loads, and they brought them into Jerusalem on the sabbath day. So I admonished them on the day they sold food."
( Neh.13:15) Nehemiah went as far as to lock the gates on the Sabbath so the merchants would not come to sell their goods. He reprimanded the Levites, commanding them to purify themselves and sanctify the sabbath.
The Israelites couldn't even keep this one commandment, let alone all the others. But then, after the return from captivity and after Nehemiah's time, things changed. Instead of not keeping the Sabbath, the priests and Levites became authorities over the sabbath. They were legalistic. They were cruel. They hammered people over the head with their rules and restrictions. The sabbath was observed, but not enjoyed. It was no longer a day of rest, but a day of fear.
Jesus had a lot to say about that.
When the Pharisees questioned Jesus about the disciples picking heads of grain and eating on the sabbath day, Jesus reminded them of how David had eaten consecrated food and how priests in the temple do their work on the sabbath. "For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath." ( Matthew 12:8) He tells them that God desires compassion more than sacrifice. They wanted to accuse Him and questioned Him, " Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?" Jesus confounded them and angered them by His answer and actions. " And He said to them,' What man shall there be among you, who shall have one sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will he not take hold of it, and lift it out? Of how much more value then is a man than a sheep! So then, it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath." He then healed the man with a withered hand, and all the rest who followed Him. Over and over again they tested Him on this. Sometimes deliberately placing a sick or disabled person in front of Him, on the Sabbath, to see what He would do. And over and over again He spoke the same thing - wouldn't you help one of your animals? Why wouldn't you help your fellow man? They had no compassion, and they just couldn't let go of their rules, or their pride.
They just got more and more angry with Him.
So where does that leave us? There are some who still observe the Sabbath. Some who observe "The Lord's Day". Few who actually take a day of rest. Paul wrote, "Therefore let no one act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day - things which are a mere shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ."
(Colossians 2:16-17) It's all about Jesus! Set your mind on Him, Paul reminds us. Follow Him!
The writer of Hebrews also helps us understand this a little more. " There remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God. For the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from His. Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall through following the same example of disobedience." ( Hebrews 4:9-11) "For we who have believed enter that rest..." ( v3). To believe in Jesus Christ is to enter into His rest - His Sabbath. We fail to enter when we disobey by unbelief. ( 3:19)
Father in Heaven, Thank You for the Grace of Your rest, given to all who will believe in Jesus Christ, the Lord of the Sabbath. The work is finished... by His sacrifice on the cross. Rest has come as we enter into obedient belief. Keep us in Your Word and fill us with Your Spirit, walking in the Truth . Teach us to keep following Jesus and leave all else behind. Lead us in Your way of righteousness we pray. In the Name of our Savior, Jesus Christ we pray. Amen
Right from the beginning of time, the Lord ordained a day of rest, a day to cease from work. In the creation, the Lord worked 6 days and rested on the seventh. We are told the He "blessed the sabbath day and made it holy." This was a deliberate plan that God Himself set into motion, for His purposes.
This had already been introduced to the nation of Israel in the gathering of manna. They gathered 6 days and on the 6th they gathered enough for the 7th day too. This was a practice that tested them to see if they would obey. Now it is given as a Law.
Yet it is also Grace! The Sabbath is actually a gift to man. Jesus tells us, " The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath." ( Mark 2:27) It is a day of rest for everyone. Every man, woman, and child; every worker; and even every animal. It is also to be kept "holy". Pure, clean, consecrated.
This command was a struggle for the Israelites... and also seems to be a struggle for modern mankind too.
Ex. 31:12-18 - the observance of the Sabbath is a sign between God and the Israelites. It is a covenant. It is forever. The consequence of profaning the Sabbath was death.
Jeremiah, at the time of Israel's impending exile, spoke, "Thus says the Lord, 'Take heed for yourselves and do not carry any load on the sabbath day or bring anything in through the gates of Jerusalem. And you shall not bring a load out of your houses on the sabbath day nor do any work, but keep the sabbath day holy, as I commanded your forefathers.' Yet they did not listen or incline their ears but stiffened their necks in order not to listen or take correction."( Jer. 17:21-23) The Lord goes on to say that if the would listen and obey this one commandment - He would give them kings and princes and Jerusalem would be free! But if not, He would "kindle a fire in its gates, and it will devour the palaces of Jerusalem and not be quenched." ( v27) Which is what happened, for they didn't obey any more than their forefathers had.
Israel failed to obey this command, as well as the command to have no other gods, and were sent into captivity to Babylon. Ezekiel spoke about this, " And also I gave them My sabbaths to be a sign between Me and them, that they might know that I am the Lord who sanctifies them. But the house of Israel rebelled against Me ... and My sabbaths they greatly profaned. "
( Neh.13:15) Nehemiah went as far as to lock the gates on the Sabbath so the merchants would not come to sell their goods. He reprimanded the Levites, commanding them to purify themselves and sanctify the sabbath.
The Israelites couldn't even keep this one commandment, let alone all the others. But then, after the return from captivity and after Nehemiah's time, things changed. Instead of not keeping the Sabbath, the priests and Levites became authorities over the sabbath. They were legalistic. They were cruel. They hammered people over the head with their rules and restrictions. The sabbath was observed, but not enjoyed. It was no longer a day of rest, but a day of fear.
Jesus had a lot to say about that.
When the Pharisees questioned Jesus about the disciples picking heads of grain and eating on the sabbath day, Jesus reminded them of how David had eaten consecrated food and how priests in the temple do their work on the sabbath. "For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath." ( Matthew 12:8) He tells them that God desires compassion more than sacrifice. They wanted to accuse Him and questioned Him, " Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?" Jesus confounded them and angered them by His answer and actions. " And He said to them,' What man shall there be among you, who shall have one sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will he not take hold of it, and lift it out? Of how much more value then is a man than a sheep! So then, it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath." He then healed the man with a withered hand, and all the rest who followed Him. Over and over again they tested Him on this. Sometimes deliberately placing a sick or disabled person in front of Him, on the Sabbath, to see what He would do. And over and over again He spoke the same thing - wouldn't you help one of your animals? Why wouldn't you help your fellow man? They had no compassion, and they just couldn't let go of their rules, or their pride.
They just got more and more angry with Him.
So where does that leave us? There are some who still observe the Sabbath. Some who observe "The Lord's Day". Few who actually take a day of rest. Paul wrote, "Therefore let no one act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day - things which are a mere shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ."
(Colossians 2:16-17) It's all about Jesus! Set your mind on Him, Paul reminds us. Follow Him!
The writer of Hebrews also helps us understand this a little more. " There remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God. For the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from His. Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall through following the same example of disobedience." ( Hebrews 4:9-11) "For we who have believed enter that rest..." ( v3). To believe in Jesus Christ is to enter into His rest - His Sabbath. We fail to enter when we disobey by unbelief. ( 3:19)
Father in Heaven, Thank You for the Grace of Your rest, given to all who will believe in Jesus Christ, the Lord of the Sabbath. The work is finished... by His sacrifice on the cross. Rest has come as we enter into obedient belief. Keep us in Your Word and fill us with Your Spirit, walking in the Truth . Teach us to keep following Jesus and leave all else behind. Lead us in Your way of righteousness we pray. In the Name of our Savior, Jesus Christ we pray. Amen
Tuesday, June 24, 2014
Exodus 20 Commandment #3 " You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not leave him unpunished who take His name in vain."
We are swift to pass over this command, thinking that we do good, since we don't use His Name as a cuss word... but is there more to it than that? Lord, Great I AM, open our ears to hear and our eyes to see!
First a few definitions using the Hebrew words -
Nacah - Take - lift up, carry, raise, take ( up, away) - this word has many uses and "take" is just one...
shav - vain - desolating, evil, destructive, ruin, uselessness, lie, lying, vanity
shibah - swear -seven times -to be complete; to declare 7 times, taking an oath
chalal - profane - to wound, dissolve, pollute, (treat as common, show disrespect or contempt for)
The Lord is very clear about how we speak or use His Name. Note these instructions:
Leviticus 19:12 " And you shall not swear falsely by My name, so as to profane the name of your God; I am the LORD"
Deuteronomy 6:13 " You shall fear only the LORD, your God; and you shall worship Him, and swear by His name."
Deuteronomy10:20-21 " You shall fear the LORD your God; you shall serve Him and cling to Him, and you shall swear by his name. He is your praise and He is your God,who has done these great and awesome things for you which your eyes have seen."
God wants us to lift up His Name rightly, truthfully, fearfully, and respectfully. If we take an oath in His Name and then lie - we profane HIS Name. It reveals our lack of fear and respect for Him. His Name means nothing, and He means nothing to us if -we take an oath and fail to do what we said we would do in His Name.
Even more than that, there is a warning given in this command that we also pass over - "for the LORD will not leave him unpunished who take His Name in vain." The LORD takes seriously the vows and promises we make in His Name.
We are swift to pass over this command, thinking that we do good, since we don't use His Name as a cuss word... but is there more to it than that? Lord, Great I AM, open our ears to hear and our eyes to see!
First a few definitions using the Hebrew words -
Nacah - Take - lift up, carry, raise, take ( up, away) - this word has many uses and "take" is just one...
shav - vain - desolating, evil, destructive, ruin, uselessness, lie, lying, vanity
shibah - swear -seven times -to be complete; to declare 7 times, taking an oath
chalal - profane - to wound, dissolve, pollute, (treat as common, show disrespect or contempt for)
The Lord is very clear about how we speak or use His Name. Note these instructions:
Leviticus 19:12 " And you shall not swear falsely by My name, so as to profane the name of your God; I am the LORD"
Deuteronomy 6:13 " You shall fear only the LORD, your God; and you shall worship Him, and swear by His name."
Deuteronomy10:20-21 " You shall fear the LORD your God; you shall serve Him and cling to Him, and you shall swear by his name. He is your praise and He is your God,who has done these great and awesome things for you which your eyes have seen."
God wants us to lift up His Name rightly, truthfully, fearfully, and respectfully. If we take an oath in His Name and then lie - we profane HIS Name. It reveals our lack of fear and respect for Him. His Name means nothing, and He means nothing to us if -we take an oath and fail to do what we said we would do in His Name.
Even more than that, there is a warning given in this command that we also pass over - "for the LORD will not leave him unpunished who take His Name in vain." The LORD takes seriously the vows and promises we make in His Name.
Jesus saw this and gave this warning in Matthew 5:33 -37
" Again, you have heard that the ancients were told, 'You shall not make false vows, but shall fulfill your vows to the Lord', But I say to you make no oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is the footstool of His feet, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. Nor shall you make an oath by your head, for your cannot make one hair white or black. But let your statement be, 'Yes, yes' or 'No, no'; and anything beyond these is of evil."
He addressed it again in Matthew 23:16-22
"Woe to you, blind guides, who say,'Whoever swears by the temple, that is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of the temple, he is obligated. You fools and blind men; which is more important, the gold or the temple that sanctified the gold? And ,'Whoever swears by the altar, that is nothing, but whoever swears by the offering upon it, he is obligated.' You blind men, which is more important, the offering or the altar that sanctifies the offering? Therefore he who swears by the altar, swears both by the altar and by everything on it. And he who swears by the temple, swears both by the temple and by Him who dwells within it. And he who swears by heaven, swears both by the throne of God and by Him who sits upon it."
They were making oaths, using other things, thinking that it didn't matter, and bringing judgement upon themselves. Jesus called them "fools and blind men". James writes to the church this same warning again: " But above all, my brethren , do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath; but let your yes be yes, and your no, no; so that you may not fall under judgement."
To make a false oath, using the LORD's Name, or using anything that He has created - is so detestable in God's eyes, that Jesus tells us not to make any oaths at all. Just be honest and stand by your word. Stop breaking God's command, stop using His Name in vain.
Father in Heaven, Hallowed be Your Name! May we speak Your Name only with reverent fear and great honor. Oh Lord our God, stop our mouths from speaking anything that would profane Your holy Name. Let our lives reflect Your holiness and bring glory to Your Name. Forgive us for living without thought of how our lives sometimes bring dishonor to You. When we say things and then fail to follow through.. claiming to be Christians, Christ followers, but act in ways that bring dishonor to Your Name and reputation. Thank You for showing us lovingkindness and grace, forgiving our sins. Thank You for redeeming us and sanctifying us by Your Holy Spirit so that we can praise You and bring glory to Your Name. Through Jesus' Name we pray, Amen.
Monday, June 23, 2014
Exodus 20 The commandments. The people of Israel, some 600,000 men plus women and children have come out of slavery into a wilderness. They are promised a land where they will be established as a nation. Here at the base of Mount Sinai they have met with the LORD, their God. They have accepted His covenant with them. He will be their God and they will be His people. Now God sets down the foundation of His rule for this "kingdom of priests and a holy nation." ( 19:6)
v3 "You shall have no other gods before Me." Rule number 1. Foundational for all the rest. The I AM has chosen them as His people. They must choose to worship Him in this Truth - there are no other gods, everything else is false and unworthy of worship and obedience. Anything else will erode this most vital relationship. The Creator of Heaven and earth wants an exclusive relationship with us.
v4-6 " You shall not make for yourself and idol..." NO statues, no figures, nothing made by human hands can ever compare with the God Who created all things. That seemed to be such an issue for the Jews. It did take many generations for that lesson to be learned. Both Isaiah and Jeremiah spoke scathing rebukes about the practice of idolatry in Israel and Judah many years after Israel was established. Isaiah 44: 14-17 " ... He plants a fir, and the rain makes it grow. Then it becomes something for a man to burn, so he takes one of them and warms himself; he also makes a fire to bake bread. He also makes a god and worships it; he makes a graven image, and falls down before it. Half of it he burns in the fire; over this half he eats meat as he roasts a roast, and is satisfied; He also warms himself.... But the rest of it he makes into a god, his graven image. He falls down before it and worships; he also prays to it and says, 'Deliver me, for thou art my god.'" Verse 20 "He feeds on ashes; a deceived heart has turned him aside. And he cannot deliver himself, nor say, "Is there not a lie in my right hand?'"( Jeremiah 10 is also a great commentary on idolatry. )
These 2 commands establish a unique foundation for Israel. ONE God and only one, with no physical representation allowed. This was different from all the other nations at that time. The Lord proclaims that He is a jealous God. He won't share His authority, His honor, or His position with any other thing, in the heavens or on the earth.
This same essential foundation is vital to our faith. We know that we should not worship any idols... and this is not a cultural practice in America, for the most part, but.. we also know that idols aren't always pieces of wood sculpted into a statue that we bow before. Idols/gods are, as Isaiah said, the ashes we feed on because of our deceived hearts, the lies we hold on to and cannot deliver ourselves from... Paul says it well in Romans 1:25 "For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator who is blessed forever." Anything that receives honor... honor that belongs to God alone... is a lie. An idol.
What are idols that we fashion in America? Beauty, riches, fame, power... Anything that we want.. that we lust after.. that deceives us and draws us away from God.
Who do we honor? God or an idol?
Who gets our time?
Who gets our money?
Who gets our hearts?
Who gets our thoughts?
Where is our energy spent?
Jesus said that the greatest commandment is " You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind."
Our God commands us to have no other gods, to worship no idols. He does not want us to be deceived by the lies of this world. He knows we cannot deliver ourselves from these bonds, but oh how marvelous is His kindness and patience with us! Paul says in Romans 2: 4 " Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?
We need to cast down every idol... repent of every false god that has stolen our hearts away from the One who loves us and wants our whole heart, soul, and mind.
Father in Heaven, lead us to repentance even now. To renounce every lie, to turn from the things in this world that take our time, money, love, thoughts, and energy. Turn our hearts to You. You are God and You alone. Let Your Name be honored. Let us bow humbly before You and worship You alone. We proclaim You to be the LORD our God and we will give no other the glory due Your Name. Fill us with Your Truth, in the Name of Jesus, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life,
Amen
v3 "You shall have no other gods before Me." Rule number 1. Foundational for all the rest. The I AM has chosen them as His people. They must choose to worship Him in this Truth - there are no other gods, everything else is false and unworthy of worship and obedience. Anything else will erode this most vital relationship. The Creator of Heaven and earth wants an exclusive relationship with us.
v4-6 " You shall not make for yourself and idol..." NO statues, no figures, nothing made by human hands can ever compare with the God Who created all things. That seemed to be such an issue for the Jews. It did take many generations for that lesson to be learned. Both Isaiah and Jeremiah spoke scathing rebukes about the practice of idolatry in Israel and Judah many years after Israel was established. Isaiah 44: 14-17 " ... He plants a fir, and the rain makes it grow. Then it becomes something for a man to burn, so he takes one of them and warms himself; he also makes a fire to bake bread. He also makes a god and worships it; he makes a graven image, and falls down before it. Half of it he burns in the fire; over this half he eats meat as he roasts a roast, and is satisfied; He also warms himself.... But the rest of it he makes into a god, his graven image. He falls down before it and worships; he also prays to it and says, 'Deliver me, for thou art my god.'" Verse 20 "He feeds on ashes; a deceived heart has turned him aside. And he cannot deliver himself, nor say, "Is there not a lie in my right hand?'"( Jeremiah 10 is also a great commentary on idolatry. )
These 2 commands establish a unique foundation for Israel. ONE God and only one, with no physical representation allowed. This was different from all the other nations at that time. The Lord proclaims that He is a jealous God. He won't share His authority, His honor, or His position with any other thing, in the heavens or on the earth.
This same essential foundation is vital to our faith. We know that we should not worship any idols... and this is not a cultural practice in America, for the most part, but.. we also know that idols aren't always pieces of wood sculpted into a statue that we bow before. Idols/gods are, as Isaiah said, the ashes we feed on because of our deceived hearts, the lies we hold on to and cannot deliver ourselves from... Paul says it well in Romans 1:25 "For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator who is blessed forever." Anything that receives honor... honor that belongs to God alone... is a lie. An idol.
What are idols that we fashion in America? Beauty, riches, fame, power... Anything that we want.. that we lust after.. that deceives us and draws us away from God.
Who do we honor? God or an idol?
Who gets our time?
Who gets our money?
Who gets our hearts?
Who gets our thoughts?
Where is our energy spent?
Jesus said that the greatest commandment is " You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind."
Our God commands us to have no other gods, to worship no idols. He does not want us to be deceived by the lies of this world. He knows we cannot deliver ourselves from these bonds, but oh how marvelous is His kindness and patience with us! Paul says in Romans 2: 4 " Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?
We need to cast down every idol... repent of every false god that has stolen our hearts away from the One who loves us and wants our whole heart, soul, and mind.
Father in Heaven, lead us to repentance even now. To renounce every lie, to turn from the things in this world that take our time, money, love, thoughts, and energy. Turn our hearts to You. You are God and You alone. Let Your Name be honored. Let us bow humbly before You and worship You alone. We proclaim You to be the LORD our God and we will give no other the glory due Your Name. Fill us with Your Truth, in the Name of Jesus, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life,
Amen
Friday, June 20, 2014
Exodus 19 Three months have passed since they left Egypt and the Israelites reach Mount Sinai. Here they meet the Lord. This revelation and visitation by God to men is unique to Israel. Never before and never after would He come down to the top of the mountain in this way.
Verses 3-9 The Lord calls Moses and presents His covenant to Israel.
He brought them out of Egypt to Himself.
He wants them to obey His voice and keep His covenant.
He offers to make them His own, a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.
And the people agree.
Verses 9-17 The people prepare for a meeting with God. They are given 3 days to get ready.
The are to be consecrated -made clean and prepared.
They were given boundaries. They could not touch the mountain, they could not try to gaze at God.
This warning was repeated 3 times.
To come to God without preparing would bring death.
To come to God without the proper reverence would bring death.
To come to God without His direction and calling would bring death.
Verses 18-25 The Lord descended in fire and smoke.
The whole mountain quaked.
A trumpet sounded, getting louder and louder.
God thundered.
The second warning is given, and when Moses tells the Lord that the people knew they couldn't come up the mountain, He gives a third warning. Moses has to go down the mountain and tell the people again. Now Aaron is told to come up with Moses.
Father in heaven, we come too casually to You. We need to remember Who You are, the God of all creation, the powerful, mighty One, the Redeemer Who brings us out of the dominion of darkness.. for Yourself. We need to come in reverence and fear, in obedience and submission. Instead we come demanding that our wants and desires be fulfilled. Forgive us, Father. And thank You for making a way for us to come. For we are consecrated in Christ. We can only be cleansed and made ready by the Lord Jesus. Wash us and we will be whiter than snow. Washed in His blood. Cleansed by His sacrifice. We only come in His Name.
You have removed the boundaries for us. The veil was torn! Hallelujah! It is Jesus, the Son of God who has removed the boundaries. That we might come into Your Holy Presence. To hear Your voice and to obey Your commands. To keep the New Covenant in Jesus. Teach us anew these marvelous Truths. Give us spiritual wisdom and understanding to know Your full will for each of us. Make us all You want us to be. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Verses 3-9 The Lord calls Moses and presents His covenant to Israel.
He brought them out of Egypt to Himself.
He wants them to obey His voice and keep His covenant.
He offers to make them His own, a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.
And the people agree.
Verses 9-17 The people prepare for a meeting with God. They are given 3 days to get ready.
The are to be consecrated -made clean and prepared.
They were given boundaries. They could not touch the mountain, they could not try to gaze at God.
This warning was repeated 3 times.
To come to God without preparing would bring death.
To come to God without the proper reverence would bring death.
To come to God without His direction and calling would bring death.
Verses 18-25 The Lord descended in fire and smoke.
The whole mountain quaked.
A trumpet sounded, getting louder and louder.
God thundered.
The second warning is given, and when Moses tells the Lord that the people knew they couldn't come up the mountain, He gives a third warning. Moses has to go down the mountain and tell the people again. Now Aaron is told to come up with Moses.
Father in heaven, we come too casually to You. We need to remember Who You are, the God of all creation, the powerful, mighty One, the Redeemer Who brings us out of the dominion of darkness.. for Yourself. We need to come in reverence and fear, in obedience and submission. Instead we come demanding that our wants and desires be fulfilled. Forgive us, Father. And thank You for making a way for us to come. For we are consecrated in Christ. We can only be cleansed and made ready by the Lord Jesus. Wash us and we will be whiter than snow. Washed in His blood. Cleansed by His sacrifice. We only come in His Name.
You have removed the boundaries for us. The veil was torn! Hallelujah! It is Jesus, the Son of God who has removed the boundaries. That we might come into Your Holy Presence. To hear Your voice and to obey Your commands. To keep the New Covenant in Jesus. Teach us anew these marvelous Truths. Give us spiritual wisdom and understanding to know Your full will for each of us. Make us all You want us to be. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Thursday, June 19, 2014
Exodus 18 Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, comes to return Zipporah, Moses' wife, and their two sons, Gershom and Eliezer. Jethro had heard about what God had done in delivering the Israelites. Now, he got a first hand account from Moses, himself. The result is a confirmation for Jethro, " Now I know that the Lord is greater than all gods;..." This man watches carefully when Moses sits alone to judge disputes between the people. He gives Moses good advice, which Moses immediately follows.
Key statements:
v.18 "... the task is too heavy for you; you cannot do it alone."
v20 " ... teach them....and make known to them the way...."
v21 "... select able men who fear God, men of truth, those who hate dishonest gain; "
v22. " ... so it will be easier for you and they will bear the burden with you."
When we try to do things alone, whether because of necessity or because of stubborn pride, may God bring someone like Jethro along and remind us that we need to share our burdens with others.
We must first recognize when we need help. Admit it to ourselves and to the Lord.
We must be willing to share what we know with others.
We must look carefully to only those who share God's Truth and have the same values that we do.
Then we can confidently share the load with peace in our hearts.
What a great lesson for those of us who tend to want to do-it-ourselves! I know a few people like that, don't you? Maybe we need to be like Jethro to them?
Father, teach us to walk in Your ways. To care for one another, to come alongside one another, and to submit to one another. For this is Your will. Keep us from choosing the wrong advice, from looking to those who are not Your people, who do not have Your heart or truth. To not " walk in the counsel of the wicked, " but only to those who delight in Your Word. May we not be conformed to this world, but transformed as You renew our thoughts and hearts with Your Word today. Lead us in Your paths today, we ask in Jesus' Name. Amen
Key statements:
v.18 "... the task is too heavy for you; you cannot do it alone."
v20 " ... teach them....and make known to them the way...."
v21 "... select able men who fear God, men of truth, those who hate dishonest gain; "
v22. " ... so it will be easier for you and they will bear the burden with you."
When we try to do things alone, whether because of necessity or because of stubborn pride, may God bring someone like Jethro along and remind us that we need to share our burdens with others.
We must first recognize when we need help. Admit it to ourselves and to the Lord.
We must be willing to share what we know with others.
We must look carefully to only those who share God's Truth and have the same values that we do.
Then we can confidently share the load with peace in our hearts.
What a great lesson for those of us who tend to want to do-it-ourselves! I know a few people like that, don't you? Maybe we need to be like Jethro to them?
Father, teach us to walk in Your ways. To care for one another, to come alongside one another, and to submit to one another. For this is Your will. Keep us from choosing the wrong advice, from looking to those who are not Your people, who do not have Your heart or truth. To not " walk in the counsel of the wicked, " but only to those who delight in Your Word. May we not be conformed to this world, but transformed as You renew our thoughts and hearts with Your Word today. Lead us in Your paths today, we ask in Jesus' Name. Amen
Wednesday, June 18, 2014
Exodus 17:8-16 The Israelites are attacked by Amalek.
This is their first battle as freed slaves.
The first time they have to put together an army.
The first time they have to take up swords... how did they even have swords? It had to be pretty frightening .
But it seems like they were ready for action. And amazingly, there was no grumbling!
Joshua put together the army and led them in battle.
Moses went up to the top of a hill and interceded.
This story has been told in so often. When Moses has his arms lifted, they are winning. When he puts them down, they are losing. A man can only hold his arms up so long on his own... so Aaron and Hur come along side and help Moses by holding his arms up for him.
The Lord brings victory against Amalek.
And He never forgets what they did... choosing to "utterly blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven."
Deuteronomy 25: 17-18 " Remember what Amalek did to you along the way when you came out of Egypt, how he met you along the way and attacked among you all the stragglers at your rear when you were faint and weary; and he did not fear God." When Israel entered the Promised land, they were to finish Amalek off. "..you must not forget" He reminds them.
In I Samuel 15 King Saul's first assignment is this. "Thus says the Lord of hosts, I will punish Amelek for what he did to Israel, how he set himself against him on the way while he was coming up from Egypt. Now go and strike Amelek and utterly destroy all that he has and do not spare him; but put to death both man and woman, child and infant, ox and sheep, camel and donkey."
Saul almost does the job, but falls short by sparing Agag the king and the best of the animals.
(Which displeases God and causes Saul to lose his blessings from God and his position as king. )
Amelek was a grandson of Esau. A great-grandson of Abraham. When all the nations heard what the Lord had done in bringing out Israel from Egypt, they were afraid... except for Amalek. The passage in Deuteronomy shows why God was so angry with them. They attacked the stragglers. Those who were faint and weary... the elderly, the weak, the sick, the lame, the ones that couldn't keep up. These distant relatives had no mercy for those who had so little. The nation of Amalek was arrogant and selfish, greedy and cowardly... all at the same time. The Lord would no longer tolerate their sins.
Father in heaven, You are the Righteous Judge and You will bring judgement upon all who refuse to fear You or obey You. You are the Helper and Protector of those who are weak and weary. Thank You for hearing our prayers, just as You heard the prayers of Moses. We know that we are also in a battle, though our battle is "not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers , against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places." (Eph.6:12) We pray for You, the Lord of Hosts, to fight for us. To deliver us from evil. To lead us in righteous paths. Help us to trust You to remove the bullies that attack the most vulnerable among us. We take up our armor - Truth, Righteousness, Salvation, Peace, Faith, and the Word and we pray. We stand firm and we persevere in prayer. And when are arms grow heavy, we come along side one another and hold each other up. So that Your Kingdom will come and Your will is done. So that Your Name will be exalted and honored among all the nations.
Amen.
This is their first battle as freed slaves.
The first time they have to put together an army.
The first time they have to take up swords... how did they even have swords? It had to be pretty frightening .
But it seems like they were ready for action. And amazingly, there was no grumbling!
Joshua put together the army and led them in battle.
Moses went up to the top of a hill and interceded.
This story has been told in so often. When Moses has his arms lifted, they are winning. When he puts them down, they are losing. A man can only hold his arms up so long on his own... so Aaron and Hur come along side and help Moses by holding his arms up for him.
The Lord brings victory against Amalek.
And He never forgets what they did... choosing to "utterly blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven."
Deuteronomy 25: 17-18 " Remember what Amalek did to you along the way when you came out of Egypt, how he met you along the way and attacked among you all the stragglers at your rear when you were faint and weary; and he did not fear God." When Israel entered the Promised land, they were to finish Amalek off. "..you must not forget" He reminds them.
In I Samuel 15 King Saul's first assignment is this. "Thus says the Lord of hosts, I will punish Amelek for what he did to Israel, how he set himself against him on the way while he was coming up from Egypt. Now go and strike Amelek and utterly destroy all that he has and do not spare him; but put to death both man and woman, child and infant, ox and sheep, camel and donkey."
Saul almost does the job, but falls short by sparing Agag the king and the best of the animals.
(Which displeases God and causes Saul to lose his blessings from God and his position as king. )
Amelek was a grandson of Esau. A great-grandson of Abraham. When all the nations heard what the Lord had done in bringing out Israel from Egypt, they were afraid... except for Amalek. The passage in Deuteronomy shows why God was so angry with them. They attacked the stragglers. Those who were faint and weary... the elderly, the weak, the sick, the lame, the ones that couldn't keep up. These distant relatives had no mercy for those who had so little. The nation of Amalek was arrogant and selfish, greedy and cowardly... all at the same time. The Lord would no longer tolerate their sins.
Father in heaven, You are the Righteous Judge and You will bring judgement upon all who refuse to fear You or obey You. You are the Helper and Protector of those who are weak and weary. Thank You for hearing our prayers, just as You heard the prayers of Moses. We know that we are also in a battle, though our battle is "not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers , against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places." (Eph.6:12) We pray for You, the Lord of Hosts, to fight for us. To deliver us from evil. To lead us in righteous paths. Help us to trust You to remove the bullies that attack the most vulnerable among us. We take up our armor - Truth, Righteousness, Salvation, Peace, Faith, and the Word and we pray. We stand firm and we persevere in prayer. And when are arms grow heavy, we come along side one another and hold each other up. So that Your Kingdom will come and Your will is done. So that Your Name will be exalted and honored among all the nations.
Amen.
Tuesday, June 17, 2014
Exodus 17 Once again the 600,000 Israelites start grumbling at Moses. Water is needed. Once again they complain and quarrel and want to return to wretched Egypt instead of asking the Lord !
Moses cries out to the Lord and is told to go strike the rock at Horeb. When he does water is supplied.
James wrote, " What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members? You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. And you are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask.
You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures." ( James 4:1-3)
We are like the Israelites and the Christians that James was writing to. We want what we want. And we want it now. We know that God knows that we need water. It could even be said that it is God's will that we have water. ( or whatever) Right? So, what is so hard about asking? We are so prideful and stubborn!
James has a few suggestions for us:
v7 - Submit to God
Resist the devil.
v8 Draw near to God
Cleanse your hands of sin
Purify your heart -start thinking pure thoughts only!
v9 Be miserable and mourn over your sinful attitude
v10 "Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you."
v17 Do right.
Over and over again the Israelites grumbled and complained. Over and over again, our patient Father teaches them to trust Him. Over and over again we need to be reminded of this same thing.
Ask for what you need. But, do it in submission to Him. Draw near to Him. Humble yourself before Him. Come with pure hands and pure hearts, living in obedience to the Lord's commands.
Then wait for His provision for your every need. For His will is to provide.
Thank You Father, for Your great grace!
Amen
Moses cries out to the Lord and is told to go strike the rock at Horeb. When he does water is supplied.
James wrote, " What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members? You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. And you are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask.
You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures." ( James 4:1-3)
We are like the Israelites and the Christians that James was writing to. We want what we want. And we want it now. We know that God knows that we need water. It could even be said that it is God's will that we have water. ( or whatever) Right? So, what is so hard about asking? We are so prideful and stubborn!
James has a few suggestions for us:
v7 - Submit to God
Resist the devil.
v8 Draw near to God
Cleanse your hands of sin
Purify your heart -start thinking pure thoughts only!
v9 Be miserable and mourn over your sinful attitude
v10 "Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you."
v17 Do right.
Over and over again the Israelites grumbled and complained. Over and over again, our patient Father teaches them to trust Him. Over and over again we need to be reminded of this same thing.
Ask for what you need. But, do it in submission to Him. Draw near to Him. Humble yourself before Him. Come with pure hands and pure hearts, living in obedience to the Lord's commands.
Then wait for His provision for your every need. For His will is to provide.
Thank You Father, for Your great grace!
Amen
Monday, June 16, 2014
Exodus 16 About a month has passed since the people of Israel left Egypt. Their supplies are beginning to run low and they begin to fret about having food to eat. Instead of asking God they grumble against Moses and Aaron. They had experienced miracle after miracle and yet thought that God would let them die in the wilderness. Their faith was so small.. and their obedience was about to be tested.
The Lord planned a daily miracle for this group of grumbling Hebrews. Every day they would have bread from heaven rain down on them. The purpose of this miracle was that they would "know that the Lord has brought you out of the land of Egypt;" and that they would "see the glory of the Lord".
The Lord also provided quail in the evenings. Enough meat for them to be satisfied. All they had to do was gather the manna in the mornings and the quail in the evenings. But they had to do it according to God's ways:
Only gather the amount needed for the day.
Keep none overnight.
The day before the Sabbath gather 2x as much.
Don't go out to gather on the Sabbath.
For 40 years the Lord provided for His people this way. Unfortunately they failed to be obedient and they failed to be thankful for His wonderful provisions.
We pray, " Give us this day our daily bread" in accordance with our Lord Jesus' model of prayer. Just like the Israelites in the wilderness, we are dependent on our Lord to provide.
But do we know that He alone is the giver of Bread? When we bow our heads before a meal and utter our simple, "Thank You for this food.", are we really thinking about the fact that it is from His Hands that we receive it?
The Hebrews couldn't seem to remember that fact, even though it was such an amazing miracle. How much less do we remember it, thinking instead of how we had to go to a grocery store, pay money that we earned from a job, that we got by our own wonderful talents and abilities......?
Do we forget that the physical strength to get up and go to work... comes from God?
That the job we have and the money we earn... come from God?
That the food on our table was provided by God... for only He can make a seed planted into dirt turn into grain that we can get nutrition from; and only He makes that nutrient acceptable to our amazing digestive systems?
Every day of our lives, the LORD, our God, provides us with daily bread. Physical food. And yet that is not the most important thing! John 6:26-40 gives us the Truth about bread.
Jesus says, " Do not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man shall give to you, for on Him the Father, even God, has set His seal."
Believe in Me, Jesus tells them, " I Am the bread of life; he who comes to Me shall not hunger and he who believes in Me shall never thirst."
In Exodus 16:4 God says, " Behold, I will rain bread from heaven..."
In John 6:40 Jesus says, " ... behold the Son" and believe in Him... this is the will of the Father!
Father in Heaven, Hallowed be Your Name. LORD of all! Beginning and End. Eternal and Righteous God. Giver of life. May we honor You and bless Your Name forever and ever. Grant us spiritual wisdom and understanding to know You and the holiness of Your Name.
Allow Your Kingdom to come, Lord, rule in our lives and in our homes and in our nation.
Help us to seek first Your kingdom and Your righteousness above all else.
May Your will be done - Your will that we behold Jesus, the bread of life, sent from Heaven to give real life; to believe in Him that we may be raised up by Him on the last day.
Give us today our daily bread, Lord. Physical and spiritual bread. Give to us according to Your ways. Strengthen us to serve You and obey Your command to love You with all of our hearts and souls and minds; and to love our neighbors as ourselves.
Forgive us our sins.
Lead us in Your paths.
Deliver us from all the fiery darts, the lies and tricks of the evil one.
In Jesus' Name we pray.
Amen.
The Lord planned a daily miracle for this group of grumbling Hebrews. Every day they would have bread from heaven rain down on them. The purpose of this miracle was that they would "know that the Lord has brought you out of the land of Egypt;" and that they would "see the glory of the Lord".
The Lord also provided quail in the evenings. Enough meat for them to be satisfied. All they had to do was gather the manna in the mornings and the quail in the evenings. But they had to do it according to God's ways:
Only gather the amount needed for the day.
Keep none overnight.
The day before the Sabbath gather 2x as much.
Don't go out to gather on the Sabbath.
For 40 years the Lord provided for His people this way. Unfortunately they failed to be obedient and they failed to be thankful for His wonderful provisions.
We pray, " Give us this day our daily bread" in accordance with our Lord Jesus' model of prayer. Just like the Israelites in the wilderness, we are dependent on our Lord to provide.
But do we know that He alone is the giver of Bread? When we bow our heads before a meal and utter our simple, "Thank You for this food.", are we really thinking about the fact that it is from His Hands that we receive it?
The Hebrews couldn't seem to remember that fact, even though it was such an amazing miracle. How much less do we remember it, thinking instead of how we had to go to a grocery store, pay money that we earned from a job, that we got by our own wonderful talents and abilities......?
Do we forget that the physical strength to get up and go to work... comes from God?
That the job we have and the money we earn... come from God?
That the food on our table was provided by God... for only He can make a seed planted into dirt turn into grain that we can get nutrition from; and only He makes that nutrient acceptable to our amazing digestive systems?
Every day of our lives, the LORD, our God, provides us with daily bread. Physical food. And yet that is not the most important thing! John 6:26-40 gives us the Truth about bread.
Jesus says, " Do not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man shall give to you, for on Him the Father, even God, has set His seal."
Believe in Me, Jesus tells them, " I Am the bread of life; he who comes to Me shall not hunger and he who believes in Me shall never thirst."
In Exodus 16:4 God says, " Behold, I will rain bread from heaven..."
In John 6:40 Jesus says, " ... behold the Son" and believe in Him... this is the will of the Father!
Father in Heaven, Hallowed be Your Name. LORD of all! Beginning and End. Eternal and Righteous God. Giver of life. May we honor You and bless Your Name forever and ever. Grant us spiritual wisdom and understanding to know You and the holiness of Your Name.
Allow Your Kingdom to come, Lord, rule in our lives and in our homes and in our nation.
Help us to seek first Your kingdom and Your righteousness above all else.
May Your will be done - Your will that we behold Jesus, the bread of life, sent from Heaven to give real life; to believe in Him that we may be raised up by Him on the last day.
Give us today our daily bread, Lord. Physical and spiritual bread. Give to us according to Your ways. Strengthen us to serve You and obey Your command to love You with all of our hearts and souls and minds; and to love our neighbors as ourselves.
Forgive us our sins.
Lead us in Your paths.
Deliver us from all the fiery darts, the lies and tricks of the evil one.
In Jesus' Name we pray.
Amen.
Friday, June 13, 2014
Exodus 15 The people compose a song of praise to the LORD, who has delivered them. We can take Moses' Words and also sing praises to our God.
The Lord is:
Our strength.
Our song.
Our salvation.
Our God.
A warrior Who fights for us, able to shatter the enemy.
Excellent in His greatness.
Unlike any other.
Majestic in holiness.
Awesome in praises.
A worker of wonders.
He redeems, leads, and guides us in His lovingkindness.
He has purchased us.
He has established us.
He reigns over us forever.
Highly exalt Him!
As Moses leads Israel away from the Red Sea and into the wilderness, they come to a place with no good water. There is a place of bitter water, which they called Marah. Moses cries out to the Lord and is shown a tree which is thrown into the water and makes the water sweet.
The Lord makes a statute and regulation for them there.
" If you will give earnest heed to the voice of the LORD, your God, and do what is right in His sight, and give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have put on the Egyptians; for I, the LORD, am your healer."
The Israelites needed to learn that they were absolutely dependent on God. This is not an easy lesson to learn for any of us, let alone a nation of thousands that had just been freed from 430 years of slavery. To depend on Him, they needed to trust in Him . They needed to listen to His Word and do what is right in His sight. They needed to know that He alone would be their healer.
The LORD, our God asks nothing less than this from each of us.
Listen and heed His Word.
Trust and obey His Voice.
Do what is right in HIS sight.
Father in heaven, Let Your will be done in our lives and in our families. Help us to walk according to Your Word and do what is right in Your eyes, not our own. We are absolutely dependent on You for all we need. For water and for bread, for physical necessities and for spiritual life. You alone are righteous and we desire to walk in Your righteous ways. Be our strength and our song. Be our salvation and fight for us, once again bringing victory over the enemy. For the Kingdom is Yours, the Glory is Yours, and the Power is Yours. Amen.
The Lord is:
Our strength.
Our song.
Our salvation.
Our God.
A warrior Who fights for us, able to shatter the enemy.
Excellent in His greatness.
Unlike any other.
Majestic in holiness.
Awesome in praises.
A worker of wonders.
He redeems, leads, and guides us in His lovingkindness.
He has purchased us.
He has established us.
He reigns over us forever.
Highly exalt Him!
As Moses leads Israel away from the Red Sea and into the wilderness, they come to a place with no good water. There is a place of bitter water, which they called Marah. Moses cries out to the Lord and is shown a tree which is thrown into the water and makes the water sweet.
The Lord makes a statute and regulation for them there.
" If you will give earnest heed to the voice of the LORD, your God, and do what is right in His sight, and give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have put on the Egyptians; for I, the LORD, am your healer."
The Israelites needed to learn that they were absolutely dependent on God. This is not an easy lesson to learn for any of us, let alone a nation of thousands that had just been freed from 430 years of slavery. To depend on Him, they needed to trust in Him . They needed to listen to His Word and do what is right in His sight. They needed to know that He alone would be their healer.
The LORD, our God asks nothing less than this from each of us.
Listen and heed His Word.
Trust and obey His Voice.
Do what is right in HIS sight.
Father in heaven, Let Your will be done in our lives and in our families. Help us to walk according to Your Word and do what is right in Your eyes, not our own. We are absolutely dependent on You for all we need. For water and for bread, for physical necessities and for spiritual life. You alone are righteous and we desire to walk in Your righteous ways. Be our strength and our song. Be our salvation and fight for us, once again bringing victory over the enemy. For the Kingdom is Yours, the Glory is Yours, and the Power is Yours. Amen.
Thursday, June 12, 2014
Exodus 13-14
Verses 1-16 - Moses instructs the Israelites to remember this day. Remember what happened here.
Three times he emphasizes that the LORD delivered them with a "powerful Hand". Because of this they were to:
Observe the feast of Unleavened bread and Passover. (v6-7)
Use their hands, their foreheads and their mouths to proclaim what the Lord did for them.(v8-9)
Devote the first-born of their animals, sacrificing the male offspring.(v12-13)
Redeem their first-born sons, for they belong to the Lord.(v15)
Lord, Help us to:
Remember Your Powerful hand of redemption - to celebrate , to set apart time in our busy lives to just remember what God has done for us.
Remember in daily living - with what we do and what we think and what we say.
Remember with our resources, devoting a portion to the LORD.
Remember with our children, our families - for they are gifts You have given and they belong to You.
It is God's powerful Hand that has delivered us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of His Beloved Son! Remember! It was the same powerful Hand that accomplished redemption for us...the sacrifice of the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ- the Only Begotten Son of God.
Verses 17-22 God takes the lead in this exodus from Egypt. He goes before them with a pillar of cloud by day that led them into the wilderness and a pillar of fire that led them by its light during the night.
The pillar of cloud/fire was a visible sign of God's Presence with the people. When Pharaoh starts his pursuit with his army and chariots, the Lord moves the pillar in between the Israelites and the Egyptian army. He guides and protects.
Chapter 14 details the final message to Pharaoh and the Egyptians - The LORD, God of the Hebrews will be honored! The Egyptians will know that He is the LORD. The Israelites were still fearful and complained to Moses that they should have stayed in Egypt instead of dying in the wilderness. Moses said, "Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the LORD which He will accomplish today... The Lord will fight for you while you keep silent." ( v13-14)
They could not save themselves. They could not move, except the LORD provided a way. He did what they never could have imagined or asked for - He parted the Red Sea. They walked through the middle of the sea with water on each side of them like walls. They watched as the LORD brought the water down upon the Egyptian army. They saw God fighting for them. They knew that He had saved them. Verse 31 " And when Israel saw the great power which the LORD had used against the Egyptians, the people feared the LORD, and they believed in the LORD and in His servant Moses."
Our heavenly Father, You are LORD! We know that You never change and You never fail. You are our Redeemer. You have accomplished our salvation and You fight for us. How amazing You are!
Let us remember the day that You saved us! The day You delivered us from bondage to sin and self and the enemy, satan. Oh what a glorious day! When Jesus took my sins away!!! Let us follow Your lead- let us follow Jesus! To never turn back to slavery, but to walk through the paths of righteousness that are ahead of us. To fear You and to believe in You. For Your honor and glory, forever and ever. Amen.
Verses 1-16 - Moses instructs the Israelites to remember this day. Remember what happened here.
Three times he emphasizes that the LORD delivered them with a "powerful Hand". Because of this they were to:
Observe the feast of Unleavened bread and Passover. (v6-7)
Use their hands, their foreheads and their mouths to proclaim what the Lord did for them.(v8-9)
Devote the first-born of their animals, sacrificing the male offspring.(v12-13)
Redeem their first-born sons, for they belong to the Lord.(v15)
Lord, Help us to:
Remember Your Powerful hand of redemption - to celebrate , to set apart time in our busy lives to just remember what God has done for us.
Remember in daily living - with what we do and what we think and what we say.
Remember with our resources, devoting a portion to the LORD.
Remember with our children, our families - for they are gifts You have given and they belong to You.
It is God's powerful Hand that has delivered us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of His Beloved Son! Remember! It was the same powerful Hand that accomplished redemption for us...the sacrifice of the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ- the Only Begotten Son of God.
Verses 17-22 God takes the lead in this exodus from Egypt. He goes before them with a pillar of cloud by day that led them into the wilderness and a pillar of fire that led them by its light during the night.
The pillar of cloud/fire was a visible sign of God's Presence with the people. When Pharaoh starts his pursuit with his army and chariots, the Lord moves the pillar in between the Israelites and the Egyptian army. He guides and protects.
Chapter 14 details the final message to Pharaoh and the Egyptians - The LORD, God of the Hebrews will be honored! The Egyptians will know that He is the LORD. The Israelites were still fearful and complained to Moses that they should have stayed in Egypt instead of dying in the wilderness. Moses said, "Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the LORD which He will accomplish today... The Lord will fight for you while you keep silent." ( v13-14)
They could not save themselves. They could not move, except the LORD provided a way. He did what they never could have imagined or asked for - He parted the Red Sea. They walked through the middle of the sea with water on each side of them like walls. They watched as the LORD brought the water down upon the Egyptian army. They saw God fighting for them. They knew that He had saved them. Verse 31 " And when Israel saw the great power which the LORD had used against the Egyptians, the people feared the LORD, and they believed in the LORD and in His servant Moses."
Our heavenly Father, You are LORD! We know that You never change and You never fail. You are our Redeemer. You have accomplished our salvation and You fight for us. How amazing You are!
Let us remember the day that You saved us! The day You delivered us from bondage to sin and self and the enemy, satan. Oh what a glorious day! When Jesus took my sins away!!! Let us follow Your lead- let us follow Jesus! To never turn back to slavery, but to walk through the paths of righteousness that are ahead of us. To fear You and to believe in You. For Your honor and glory, forever and ever. Amen.
Wednesday, June 11, 2014
Exodus 5-12 God revealed Himself as Creator in the writings of Genesis. Here in this account of the exodus, He reveals Himself as LORD and Redeemer. It is the most dramatic and powerful displays of Who He Is. This is the foundation for the nation of Israel and a cornerstone of Jewish religion. It is the historical event that pictures our spiritual deliverance. And it begins with the reluctant obedience of an 80 year old man named Moses.
Moses and Aaron's first meeting with Pharaoh does not go well. They ask for a 3 day journey into the wilderness to sacrifice to the LORD. But Pharaoh laughs in their faces. ( Ex. 5) " Who is the LORD that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I do not know the LORD, and besides, I will not let Israel go." Instead of letting them go, he orders that the people not be given straw to make bricks, doubling their work load. Of course this makes the Hebrews angry at Moses. But this is God's plan!
If they had succeeded in the first attempt then God would not have done all that He desired and they would not have known Him as LORD.
So now begins the show, the display of God's power and might:
Moses will speak to Aaron. Aaron will speak to Pharaoh. Pharaoh will harden his heart and God will multiply His signs and wonders.
1st sign - Exodus 7:8-13
Aaron throws his staff down and it becomes a snake.
Pharaoh's magicians throw down their staffs and they become snakes, but Aaron's snake swallows up the rest.
Pharaoh walks away with a hardened heart.
2nd sign - Ex. 7:14-25
Moses makes his request, " The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, sent me to you, saying, ' Let My people go, that they may serve Me in the wilderness. But behold you have not listened until now... By this you shall know that I am the LORD..."
Aaron strikes the water of the Nile and it becomes blood.
The magicians do the same.
Pharaoh walks away unconcerned.
People have to dig for water to drink for 7 days.
3rd sign - Ex. 8:1-15
Moses says, "Thus says the LORD, 'Let My people go, that they may serve Me."
Aaron stretches out the staff over the rivers and frogs come up and cover the land.
Pharaoh's magicians do the same.
But this time Pharaoh asks for Moses to entreat the LORD to remove the frogs and that he will let the people go make the sacrifices.
Moses lets Pharaoh choose the time and he says "Tomorrow". Moses responds, " May it be according to your word that you may know that there is no one like the LORD our God."
The LORD makes the frogs die.
Pharaoh changes his mind.
4th sign - Ex. 8:16-32
There is a change in this sequence of action.
Aaron stretches out his staff and strikes the dust which becomes gnats ( or lice).
The magicians try, but cannot copy this. They acknowledge that this is from God.
Pharaoh still hardens his heart.
Then Moses is sent to speak to Pharaoh saying, "Thus says the Lord,'Let My people go, that they may serve Me.' "
And if not, more insects are coming...but they will not come into Goshen where the Hebrews live.
"And I will put a division between My people and your people. Tomorrow this sign shall occur."
And it did.
Pharaoh calls for Moses and tells them to go sacrifice, but stay in the land.
Moses refuses the offer. They need to be 3 days journey out into the wilderness.
Pharaoh agrees to a short distance and asks Moses to make supplication for him.
He does.
Pharaoh hardens his heart again.
5th sign - Ex. 9: 1-7
Moses - "Thus says the LORD, the God of the Hebrews, 'Let My people go, that they may serve Me.'"
A very severe pestilence comes to the livestock - horses, donkeys, camels, herds, and flocks. All the Egyptian livestock die.
All the livestock of the Israelites live.
Pharaoh hardens his heart more.
6th sign- Ex. 9:8-17
Moses takes soot from a kiln and throws it into the air before Pharaoh.
Boils break out on all the Egyptians.
The magicians are not even able to stand before Pharaoh.
The LORD hardens Pharaoh's heart.
The message is given, " For this time I will send all My plagues on you and your servants and your people, so that you may know that there is no one like Me in all the earth. For if by now I had put forth MY hand and struck you and your people with pestilence you would then have been cut off from the earth. But indeed, for this cause I have allowed you to remain, in to show you My power, and in order to proclaim My name through all the earth. Still, you exalt yourself against My people by not letting them go."
7th sign- Ex. 9:18-35
The next plague will be hail. It will kill. A warning is given ahead of time.
Some of Pharaoh's servants are getting wise. They fear the word of the LORD and they bring everyone inside their houses.
But some don't pay any regard and leave servants and livestock out in their fields.
Hail and fire rain down. It strikes every man and beast, every plant and tree with severity.
Only Goshen is spared.
Pharaoh calls for Moses and confesses "I have sinned this time; the LORD is the righteous one, and I and my people are the wicked ones."
Again Moses makes supplication for Pharaoh.
The rain and hail and thunder cease.
Pharaoh sins again and hardens his heart.
8th sign - Ex. 10:1-20
God's plan is explained to Moses, " Go to Pharaoh, for I have hardened his heart and the heart of his servants, that I may perform these signs of Mine among them, and that you may tell in the hearing of your son, and of your grandson, how I made a mockery of the Egyptians, and how I performed My signs among them; that you may know that I am the LORD."
Moses says to Pharaoh , "Thus says the Lord, the God of the Hebrews, ' How long will you refuse to humble yourself before Me? Let my people go, that they may serve Me.'"
Locusts are coming next.
Pharaoh's servants are getting the picture, " How long will this man be a snare to us? Let the men go, that they may serve the LORD their God. Do you not realize that Egypt is destroyed?"
So Pharaoh begins to bargain with Moses and Aaron.
Pharaoh - Go. Who is going with you?
Moses - Everyone and everything
Pharaoh - Not the children, just take the men.
The locusts are sent in on the wind.
Pharaoh repents, " I have sinned against the LORD your God and against you. Now therefore, please forgive my sin only this once, and make supplication to the LORD your God, that He would only remove this death from me."
Moses prays.
The Lord changes the wind and the locusts leave.
Pharaoh hardens his heart.
9th sign- Ex. 10:21-29
Darkness covers Egypt.
Pharaoh calls - " Go, serve the LORD; only let your flocks and herds be detained. Even your little ones may go with you."
Moses - nope. Have to have the livestock for the sacrifices.
Pharaoh - Then you can't go and you can't see me again.
Moses - "You are right; I shall never see your face again!"
10 sign - Ex. 11:1 -12:51
This plague is the last. It is the most important and significant.
All the first-born in the land of Egypt will die.
Pharaoh's son and the slave girl's son. The first born of the cattle. The first-born in the whole land.
The Hebrews are instructed about this -
This will be a new month and a new year.
This will be a new tradition, a memorial to be always remembered.
The lamb will be slain.
The blood will be smeared on the lintel and doorposts.
The destroyer will pass over those who obey.
The unleavened bread will be taken up.
And the Israelites were sent out of the land under compulsion, just as the LORD had said.
LORD, You are our God. You know our hearts. May we humble ourselves before you. May we not regard sin lightly. May we listen carefully to Your Word and follow You with all our hearts.
Let us not have hardened hearts like Pharaoh. We want to serve You and You alone.
Amen
Moses and Aaron's first meeting with Pharaoh does not go well. They ask for a 3 day journey into the wilderness to sacrifice to the LORD. But Pharaoh laughs in their faces. ( Ex. 5) " Who is the LORD that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I do not know the LORD, and besides, I will not let Israel go." Instead of letting them go, he orders that the people not be given straw to make bricks, doubling their work load. Of course this makes the Hebrews angry at Moses. But this is God's plan!
If they had succeeded in the first attempt then God would not have done all that He desired and they would not have known Him as LORD.
So now begins the show, the display of God's power and might:
Moses will speak to Aaron. Aaron will speak to Pharaoh. Pharaoh will harden his heart and God will multiply His signs and wonders.
1st sign - Exodus 7:8-13
Aaron throws his staff down and it becomes a snake.
Pharaoh's magicians throw down their staffs and they become snakes, but Aaron's snake swallows up the rest.
Pharaoh walks away with a hardened heart.
2nd sign - Ex. 7:14-25
Moses makes his request, " The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, sent me to you, saying, ' Let My people go, that they may serve Me in the wilderness. But behold you have not listened until now... By this you shall know that I am the LORD..."
Aaron strikes the water of the Nile and it becomes blood.
The magicians do the same.
Pharaoh walks away unconcerned.
People have to dig for water to drink for 7 days.
3rd sign - Ex. 8:1-15
Moses says, "Thus says the LORD, 'Let My people go, that they may serve Me."
Aaron stretches out the staff over the rivers and frogs come up and cover the land.
Pharaoh's magicians do the same.
But this time Pharaoh asks for Moses to entreat the LORD to remove the frogs and that he will let the people go make the sacrifices.
Moses lets Pharaoh choose the time and he says "Tomorrow". Moses responds, " May it be according to your word that you may know that there is no one like the LORD our God."
The LORD makes the frogs die.
Pharaoh changes his mind.
4th sign - Ex. 8:16-32
There is a change in this sequence of action.
Aaron stretches out his staff and strikes the dust which becomes gnats ( or lice).
The magicians try, but cannot copy this. They acknowledge that this is from God.
Pharaoh still hardens his heart.
Then Moses is sent to speak to Pharaoh saying, "Thus says the Lord,'Let My people go, that they may serve Me.' "
And if not, more insects are coming...but they will not come into Goshen where the Hebrews live.
"And I will put a division between My people and your people. Tomorrow this sign shall occur."
And it did.
Pharaoh calls for Moses and tells them to go sacrifice, but stay in the land.
Moses refuses the offer. They need to be 3 days journey out into the wilderness.
Pharaoh agrees to a short distance and asks Moses to make supplication for him.
He does.
Pharaoh hardens his heart again.
5th sign - Ex. 9: 1-7
Moses - "Thus says the LORD, the God of the Hebrews, 'Let My people go, that they may serve Me.'"
A very severe pestilence comes to the livestock - horses, donkeys, camels, herds, and flocks. All the Egyptian livestock die.
All the livestock of the Israelites live.
Pharaoh hardens his heart more.
6th sign- Ex. 9:8-17
Moses takes soot from a kiln and throws it into the air before Pharaoh.
Boils break out on all the Egyptians.
The magicians are not even able to stand before Pharaoh.
The LORD hardens Pharaoh's heart.
The message is given, " For this time I will send all My plagues on you and your servants and your people, so that you may know that there is no one like Me in all the earth. For if by now I had put forth MY hand and struck you and your people with pestilence you would then have been cut off from the earth. But indeed, for this cause I have allowed you to remain, in to show you My power, and in order to proclaim My name through all the earth. Still, you exalt yourself against My people by not letting them go."
7th sign- Ex. 9:18-35
The next plague will be hail. It will kill. A warning is given ahead of time.
Some of Pharaoh's servants are getting wise. They fear the word of the LORD and they bring everyone inside their houses.
But some don't pay any regard and leave servants and livestock out in their fields.
Hail and fire rain down. It strikes every man and beast, every plant and tree with severity.
Only Goshen is spared.
Pharaoh calls for Moses and confesses "I have sinned this time; the LORD is the righteous one, and I and my people are the wicked ones."
Again Moses makes supplication for Pharaoh.
The rain and hail and thunder cease.
Pharaoh sins again and hardens his heart.
8th sign - Ex. 10:1-20
God's plan is explained to Moses, " Go to Pharaoh, for I have hardened his heart and the heart of his servants, that I may perform these signs of Mine among them, and that you may tell in the hearing of your son, and of your grandson, how I made a mockery of the Egyptians, and how I performed My signs among them; that you may know that I am the LORD."
Moses says to Pharaoh , "Thus says the Lord, the God of the Hebrews, ' How long will you refuse to humble yourself before Me? Let my people go, that they may serve Me.'"
Locusts are coming next.
Pharaoh's servants are getting the picture, " How long will this man be a snare to us? Let the men go, that they may serve the LORD their God. Do you not realize that Egypt is destroyed?"
So Pharaoh begins to bargain with Moses and Aaron.
Pharaoh - Go. Who is going with you?
Moses - Everyone and everything
Pharaoh - Not the children, just take the men.
The locusts are sent in on the wind.
Pharaoh repents, " I have sinned against the LORD your God and against you. Now therefore, please forgive my sin only this once, and make supplication to the LORD your God, that He would only remove this death from me."
Moses prays.
The Lord changes the wind and the locusts leave.
Pharaoh hardens his heart.
9th sign- Ex. 10:21-29
Darkness covers Egypt.
Pharaoh calls - " Go, serve the LORD; only let your flocks and herds be detained. Even your little ones may go with you."
Moses - nope. Have to have the livestock for the sacrifices.
Pharaoh - Then you can't go and you can't see me again.
Moses - "You are right; I shall never see your face again!"
10 sign - Ex. 11:1 -12:51
This plague is the last. It is the most important and significant.
All the first-born in the land of Egypt will die.
Pharaoh's son and the slave girl's son. The first born of the cattle. The first-born in the whole land.
The Hebrews are instructed about this -
This will be a new month and a new year.
This will be a new tradition, a memorial to be always remembered.
The lamb will be slain.
The blood will be smeared on the lintel and doorposts.
The destroyer will pass over those who obey.
The unleavened bread will be taken up.
And the Israelites were sent out of the land under compulsion, just as the LORD had said.
LORD, You are our God. You know our hearts. May we humble ourselves before you. May we not regard sin lightly. May we listen carefully to Your Word and follow You with all our hearts.
Let us not have hardened hearts like Pharaoh. We want to serve You and You alone.
Amen
Tuesday, June 10, 2014
Exodus 4 Moses has this wonderful meeting with God and learns how holy and infinite He is and then.... makes excuses why he can't do what God tells him to do! This makes the Lord angry with Moses ( verse 14), but He does not let Moses out of his assignment. Instead, God calls out Aaron, Moses' brother, to help.
Moses knows what to say, for God has given him the words.
Moses knows what to do, for God has equipped him with power to perform wonders.
Yet, there still seems to be a problem, for in verse 24 we are told the Lord "sought to put him to death." Only when his wife Zipporah circumcises their son, does the Lord approve.
Moses and Aaron meet after 40 years apart. They go to the elders, speak the words, do the signs and the people believe and worship God.
Chapters 5-12 are the story of the exodus. How Moses and Aaron met with Pharaoh and how time after time Pharaoh hardened his heart, until finally the Hebrews were allowed to leave Egypt.
God had told Moses that Pharaoh would only allow the people to go "under compulsion" and that is what happened. He makes it clear in chapter 6 that His purpose is to make His Name Known.
v2- 3 " God spoke further to Moses and said to him, ' I am the Lord; and I appeared to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as God Almighty, but by My name, Lord, I did not make Myself known to them."
The Lord is now ready to fulfill His covenant with the descendants of Abraham and He is making His Name known.
v6 - "I am the Lord.. I will bring you out... I will deliver you from bondage... I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great judgements."
v7 " ..I will take you form My people, and I will be your God; and you shall know that I am the Lord your God, who brought you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians."
v8 "and I will bring you into the land which I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and I will give it to you for a possession; I am the Lord."
In 7:5 He says, " And the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I stretch out My hand on Egypt and bring out the sons of Israel from their midst."
And in 9:16 He says, " But, indeed, for this cause I have allowed you to remain, in order to show you My power, and in order to proclaim My name through all the earth."
LORD, Jehovah is our God. The highest authority, the supreme magistrate, the King and Ruler of our lives . You are LORD, eternal, holy, and powerful. You make Yourself known to us and we bow and worship You. Hallowed be Your Name. Let Your Name be made known in all the earth! May we boldly and joyfully proclaim the wonders and power of the LORD today. "One generation shall praise Thy works to another, and shall declare Thy mighty acts." ( Psalm 145:4) You are glorious in majesty. You are wonderful in all Your works. You are great and mighty. You are gracious and merciful. You are good to all and Your mercies are over us. You are righteous in all Your ways and kind in all Your deeds. May we remember what You have done for us and praise You for ever and ever. You have redeemed us from death, from sin, and from darkness. You have delivered us from the evil one. You have sacrificed the Lamb and passed over us. Thank You, Father. Amen
Moses knows what to say, for God has given him the words.
Moses knows what to do, for God has equipped him with power to perform wonders.
Yet, there still seems to be a problem, for in verse 24 we are told the Lord "sought to put him to death." Only when his wife Zipporah circumcises their son, does the Lord approve.
Moses and Aaron meet after 40 years apart. They go to the elders, speak the words, do the signs and the people believe and worship God.
Chapters 5-12 are the story of the exodus. How Moses and Aaron met with Pharaoh and how time after time Pharaoh hardened his heart, until finally the Hebrews were allowed to leave Egypt.
God had told Moses that Pharaoh would only allow the people to go "under compulsion" and that is what happened. He makes it clear in chapter 6 that His purpose is to make His Name Known.
v2- 3 " God spoke further to Moses and said to him, ' I am the Lord; and I appeared to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as God Almighty, but by My name, Lord, I did not make Myself known to them."
The Lord is now ready to fulfill His covenant with the descendants of Abraham and He is making His Name known.
v6 - "I am the Lord.. I will bring you out... I will deliver you from bondage... I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great judgements."
v7 " ..I will take you form My people, and I will be your God; and you shall know that I am the Lord your God, who brought you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians."
v8 "and I will bring you into the land which I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and I will give it to you for a possession; I am the Lord."
In 7:5 He says, " And the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I stretch out My hand on Egypt and bring out the sons of Israel from their midst."
And in 9:16 He says, " But, indeed, for this cause I have allowed you to remain, in order to show you My power, and in order to proclaim My name through all the earth."
LORD, Jehovah is our God. The highest authority, the supreme magistrate, the King and Ruler of our lives . You are LORD, eternal, holy, and powerful. You make Yourself known to us and we bow and worship You. Hallowed be Your Name. Let Your Name be made known in all the earth! May we boldly and joyfully proclaim the wonders and power of the LORD today. "One generation shall praise Thy works to another, and shall declare Thy mighty acts." ( Psalm 145:4) You are glorious in majesty. You are wonderful in all Your works. You are great and mighty. You are gracious and merciful. You are good to all and Your mercies are over us. You are righteous in all Your ways and kind in all Your deeds. May we remember what You have done for us and praise You for ever and ever. You have redeemed us from death, from sin, and from darkness. You have delivered us from the evil one. You have sacrificed the Lamb and passed over us. Thank You, Father. Amen
Monday, June 9, 2014
Exodus 3 After Moses meets God on the mountain, and after God initiates a relationship by calling Moses by name, He, first of all, instructs Moses about His Holiness.
The next thing that God does is introduce Himself: " I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." This reference is used again in verse 15 and again in verse 16. God= elohiym, great, might, supreme judge. But in verse 13 Moses asks for God's Name and God gives it to him!
" I AM WHO I AM" = YHWH = Yahweh= LORD or Jehovah. God calls this His "memorial-name". His Name to be remembered. He adds this Name in verse 16 "The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, ..." and in verse 18 " The LORD, the God of the Hebrews..."
The LORD teaches Moses so much about Himself in this initial meeting. His Holiness. His eternal existence as the One Who IS. And He also shows him what matters to Him.
"I have seen the affliction of My people." verse 7
"I am aware of their sufferings."
"So I have come down to deliver them..." verse 8
The LORD, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob has heard the cries of His people and has come to rescue them from the hands of the Egyptians.
And... He is going to use Moses in the process!
" Therefore, come now, and I will send you..." verse10
Moses is very skeptical about this plan of God's, but the LORD assures him that he will not go alone.
"Certainly I will be with you..." verse12
"...I will stretch out My hand..." verse20
and " I will grant this people favor in the sight of the Egyptians..." verse21
LORD, You are our God and You are our Father . You have revealed Yourself to us according to Your plan and purposes. You desire for us to know that You are Holy, altogether set apart from Your creation, and that we should come reverently into Your Presence. You desire for us to know Who You are, that You are LORD, the eternal I AM. You have always been and You will always be. You desire for us to know the things that You care about. You care about people. People in bondage. People who are suffering. People who are crying out to You for help and deliverance. And, You desire to use us, to send us to be part of Your great plans. You do not send us on our own, but You are with us, You stretch out Your hand to deliver and set free the captives. You grant Your people favor in the sight of the enemy. As David wrote, " Thou doest prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies." ( Psalm 23:5) We thank You for these truths from Your Word today. May we walk willingly and faithfully in Your ways today. We ask this in the Name of Jesus, Your blessed Son, Amen .
The next thing that God does is introduce Himself: " I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." This reference is used again in verse 15 and again in verse 16. God= elohiym, great, might, supreme judge. But in verse 13 Moses asks for God's Name and God gives it to him!
" I AM WHO I AM" = YHWH = Yahweh= LORD or Jehovah. God calls this His "memorial-name". His Name to be remembered. He adds this Name in verse 16 "The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, ..." and in verse 18 " The LORD, the God of the Hebrews..."
The LORD teaches Moses so much about Himself in this initial meeting. His Holiness. His eternal existence as the One Who IS. And He also shows him what matters to Him.
"I have seen the affliction of My people." verse 7
"I am aware of their sufferings."
"So I have come down to deliver them..." verse 8
The LORD, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob has heard the cries of His people and has come to rescue them from the hands of the Egyptians.
And... He is going to use Moses in the process!
" Therefore, come now, and I will send you..." verse10
Moses is very skeptical about this plan of God's, but the LORD assures him that he will not go alone.
"Certainly I will be with you..." verse12
"...I will stretch out My hand..." verse20
and " I will grant this people favor in the sight of the Egyptians..." verse21
LORD, You are our God and You are our Father . You have revealed Yourself to us according to Your plan and purposes. You desire for us to know that You are Holy, altogether set apart from Your creation, and that we should come reverently into Your Presence. You desire for us to know Who You are, that You are LORD, the eternal I AM. You have always been and You will always be. You desire for us to know the things that You care about. You care about people. People in bondage. People who are suffering. People who are crying out to You for help and deliverance. And, You desire to use us, to send us to be part of Your great plans. You do not send us on our own, but You are with us, You stretch out Your hand to deliver and set free the captives. You grant Your people favor in the sight of the enemy. As David wrote, " Thou doest prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies." ( Psalm 23:5) We thank You for these truths from Your Word today. May we walk willingly and faithfully in Your ways today. We ask this in the Name of Jesus, Your blessed Son, Amen .
Friday, June 6, 2014
Exodus 3 Moses meets God. Verses 1-9 provide a glimpse into Moses' meeting with God . Note the progression:
v2 - the angel of the Lord appeared ( in the burning bush)
- Moses looked
v3- Moses turned aside to see
v4- The Lord saw Moses turn aside to look.
- The Lord called to Moses, by name
- Moses answered.
Yes, the burning bush that was not consumed was pretty amazing to see. But, the encounter with God is available to any who will turn aside to see! God has revealed Himself to mankind. All we need to do is turn away from the world and look....When we stop and turn our eyes towards God, He sees us and will call us to Himself. He knows our names. He knows exactly what wilderness we are running around in. Listen carefully, turn off the tv and the internet, quiet your thoughts, and answer Him like Moses did, " Here I am."
One of the first things that God establishes with Moses in this new relationship is His holiness. v5 "Do not come near here; remove your sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground." God wants Moses to know Him as He is. It is vitally important that he (and we) know(s) the utter holiness and set apartness of God. We want to come to God as our friend or our Daddy, as our Savior and Shepherd... which are all wonderful privileges. .. but we must first of all know Him as the Holy One. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. The knowledge of the Holy One is understanding " ( Proverbs 9:10)
Before we can truly know God, we must recognize and acknowledge His holiness. Tozer writes:
v2 - the angel of the Lord appeared ( in the burning bush)
- Moses looked
v3- Moses turned aside to see
v4- The Lord saw Moses turn aside to look.
- The Lord called to Moses, by name
- Moses answered.
Yes, the burning bush that was not consumed was pretty amazing to see. But, the encounter with God is available to any who will turn aside to see! God has revealed Himself to mankind. All we need to do is turn away from the world and look....When we stop and turn our eyes towards God, He sees us and will call us to Himself. He knows our names. He knows exactly what wilderness we are running around in. Listen carefully, turn off the tv and the internet, quiet your thoughts, and answer Him like Moses did, " Here I am."
One of the first things that God establishes with Moses in this new relationship is His holiness. v5 "Do not come near here; remove your sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground." God wants Moses to know Him as He is. It is vitally important that he (and we) know(s) the utter holiness and set apartness of God. We want to come to God as our friend or our Daddy, as our Savior and Shepherd... which are all wonderful privileges. .. but we must first of all know Him as the Holy One. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. The knowledge of the Holy One is understanding " ( Proverbs 9:10)
Before we can truly know God, we must recognize and acknowledge His holiness. Tozer writes:
" We know nothing like the divine holiness. It stands apart, unique, unapproachable, incomprehensible and unattainable. The natural man is blind to it. He may fear God's power and admire His wisdom, but His holiness he cannot even imagine. " And also, " Holy is the way God is. To be holy He does not conform to a standard. He is that standard. He is absolutely holy with an infinite, incomprehensible fullness of purity that is incapable of being other than it is. Because He is holy, all His attributes are holy; that is, whatever we think of as belonging to God must be thought of as holy."
( The Knowledge of the Holy by A. W. Tozer)
Father in Heaven, Holy God, Maker of heaven and earth, we remove the sandals from our feet, to stand on the holy ground before You. We have turned aside to see You. We have heard You call our names. We say to You now, "Here I am." Reveal to our blind eyes the wonder of Your holiness, Lord. May we know, as much as it is possible to know, the wonder and greatness of Who You are.
Forgive us for coming to You without thinking or recognizing Who it is that we are praying to. O Lord, You are incomprehensible and unattainable in Your holiness, yet You have provided a way for us to enter into Your unapproachable Presence through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amazing grace! Restore in us awe and fear, lest we forget again just how HOLY You are. Thank You for having mercy on us. Thank You for salvation through Christ Jesus our Lord. Fill us with Your Spirit today.
Amen
Thursday, June 5, 2014
Exodus 1-2 Jacob and 11 sons, along with their families went down to Egypt to join Joseph. The years passed and this family grew into a nation. When a change in government happened, the group of people know as the Hebrews went from being favored, to being feared. They were enslaved and afflicted. They multiplied so much that the king ordered the midwives to start killing the male babies.
Shiphrah and Puah - two women who:
feared the Lord
disobeyed the orders of the king
let the boys live
knew the goodness of God
were rewarded by God for their proper fear of Him.
We live in a time when we may begin to know this kind of challenge to our faith. When the government orders a bakery owner to violate his own conscience by creating a cake for a same-sex wedding... then we are beginning to see where our nation is headed. China is known for its one-child policy- where the government will force abortions on any woman pregnant with a second child.
There are nations that kill Christians, just because they are Christians.
Like Shiphrah and Puah, will we fear God more than man? Will we refuse to do that which is detested in God's sight? We will if we know the goodness of God and have a proper fear of Him.
Moses is born during this horrible time in the lives of the Hebrews. He could have been aborted. He could have died in the Nile. But, God had a plan for Moses. An amazing plan that only God could have put together like he did.
Adopted by the king's daughter.
Nursed by his own mother who got paid to tend her own son.
Raised as an Egyptian prince.
Even when Moses took matters into his own hands and murdered a brutal Egyptian slavedriver, God was looking out for him. Moses fled into the desert and taken into the house of the priest of Midian. Midian - a descendant of Abraham!
Many years later, God would have Moses ready for a mission that he could not even begin to imagine. He would also have the Hebrews ready for Moses.
verses 23-24 The sons of Israel: sighed because of their bondage and cried out to God.
Look what God did when they cried out:
He heard.
He remembered.
He saw.
He noticed - acknowledged their need.
He will do the same for us!
Father in Heaven, thank You for the truth of Your Word and the depth of Your love and mercy.
Thank You that we can know You and trust in Your goodness. When we are challenged with the unrighteousness of this world, help us to be like Shiphrah and Puah, obedient to You. When we have trials and are in bondage- whether by others or by our own doing - may we cry out to You and know that You will hear and remember Your promises. You will see us where we are and acknowledge our need. You will be our refuge and help. You will deliver us, for You are Almighty God. Deliver us from the evil one, O Lord! From lies and deception, from unrighteousness and fear of man. Fill us with Your Word and Spirit. May we dwell with You in Your Presence forever through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Shiphrah and Puah - two women who:
feared the Lord
disobeyed the orders of the king
let the boys live
knew the goodness of God
were rewarded by God for their proper fear of Him.
We live in a time when we may begin to know this kind of challenge to our faith. When the government orders a bakery owner to violate his own conscience by creating a cake for a same-sex wedding... then we are beginning to see where our nation is headed. China is known for its one-child policy- where the government will force abortions on any woman pregnant with a second child.
There are nations that kill Christians, just because they are Christians.
Like Shiphrah and Puah, will we fear God more than man? Will we refuse to do that which is detested in God's sight? We will if we know the goodness of God and have a proper fear of Him.
Moses is born during this horrible time in the lives of the Hebrews. He could have been aborted. He could have died in the Nile. But, God had a plan for Moses. An amazing plan that only God could have put together like he did.
Adopted by the king's daughter.
Nursed by his own mother who got paid to tend her own son.
Raised as an Egyptian prince.
Even when Moses took matters into his own hands and murdered a brutal Egyptian slavedriver, God was looking out for him. Moses fled into the desert and taken into the house of the priest of Midian. Midian - a descendant of Abraham!
Many years later, God would have Moses ready for a mission that he could not even begin to imagine. He would also have the Hebrews ready for Moses.
verses 23-24 The sons of Israel: sighed because of their bondage and cried out to God.
Look what God did when they cried out:
He heard.
He remembered.
He saw.
He noticed - acknowledged their need.
He will do the same for us!
Father in Heaven, thank You for the truth of Your Word and the depth of Your love and mercy.
Thank You that we can know You and trust in Your goodness. When we are challenged with the unrighteousness of this world, help us to be like Shiphrah and Puah, obedient to You. When we have trials and are in bondage- whether by others or by our own doing - may we cry out to You and know that You will hear and remember Your promises. You will see us where we are and acknowledge our need. You will be our refuge and help. You will deliver us, for You are Almighty God. Deliver us from the evil one, O Lord! From lies and deception, from unrighteousness and fear of man. Fill us with Your Word and Spirit. May we dwell with You in Your Presence forever through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Wednesday, June 4, 2014
Psalms 1-3 As I come to the end of my backward journey through the psalms, I am thankful for the lessons learned and the Truth that has become anchored in my heart. "How blessed...." is the one who delights in God's Word, who dwells in these precious pastures and drinks of the living water. Over and over again the songs of the psalmists have reminded me that God is Good. He is our refuge and our shield, our help and our strength, our King and our Shepherd. When we walk in His ways, when we worship and exult Him, and when we trust in His lovingkindness... we are blessed. This is the main message I have heard throughout the psalms.... but another, contrasting message is clearly given as well:
The wicked will perish. The enemy will be conquered. The evil will be judged. It doesn't matter how strong they are. It doesn't matter how large their number. "He who sit in the heavens laughs, the Lord scoffs at them..." ( 2:4)
David and the other psalmists remind us that although we are in the midst of a battle, God will be victorious. It is in His Hands. Always. "But as for Me, I have installed My King upon Zion, My holy mountain." ( v6) The Eternal King is Jesus Christ, our Lord. He is seated on the right Hand of the Father and He has been given all authority. His Kingdom has come. He rules. Someday we will see the reality with our eyes, but now we can know it in our hearts. Righteousness, love, peace, patience, kindness, truth, justice, and grace are signs of His rule and reign. O Lord, let Your Kingdom come to all the earth as it is in heaven. Amen.
The wicked will perish. The enemy will be conquered. The evil will be judged. It doesn't matter how strong they are. It doesn't matter how large their number. "He who sit in the heavens laughs, the Lord scoffs at them..." ( 2:4)
David and the other psalmists remind us that although we are in the midst of a battle, God will be victorious. It is in His Hands. Always. "But as for Me, I have installed My King upon Zion, My holy mountain." ( v6) The Eternal King is Jesus Christ, our Lord. He is seated on the right Hand of the Father and He has been given all authority. His Kingdom has come. He rules. Someday we will see the reality with our eyes, but now we can know it in our hearts. Righteousness, love, peace, patience, kindness, truth, justice, and grace are signs of His rule and reign. O Lord, let Your Kingdom come to all the earth as it is in heaven. Amen.
Tuesday, June 3, 2014
Psalm 4 David examines the truth about God. When we know Him we find that we can trust Him.
God is the God of our righteousness. He alone is righteous and our only hope of being righteous... of knowing and doing what is right - comes from Him. He maintains right (thoughts and actions) for us. He is just and fair and right and He leads us to become those things too. That is His will for us. So when we pray - "Thy will be done" - this is a part of what we are asking. And we can trust Him to do what He wants to do!
v3 " But know that the Lord has set apart the godly man for Himself". The Lord takes those who have bowed to Him, those who have accepted His righteousness in place of their filthy rags, and has wonderfully distinguished them as His own. Think on this! " Tremble and do not sin; Meditate in your heart upon your bed and be still." ( v4) Choosing to trust Him to make us what He wants us to be - righteous ; holy, just, pure, good, kind, loving, children - makes us His.
v5 " Offer the sacrifices of righteousness and trust in the Lord." Sometimes it is hard to do what is right, but we can lay down our own wills and kill our own pride and stubbornness - and do what we know God wants us to do. It is not easy sometimes... it is a sacrifice. A bloody, messy, uncomfortable and yet marvelous thing. To lay down our hurts and our self-efforts, our self-righteousness and our judgmental attitudes is hard! But we must do it. Lay it on the altar before God and kill it. Choose to trust Him! The results will be worth it!
v7-8 " Thou hast put gladness in my heart. More than when their grain and new wine abound. In peace I will both lie down and sleep, for Thou alone, O Lord, dost make me to dwell in safety."
The only way to be truly happy - to be glad down deep inside - is to find this way that God has provided. To be able to rejoice, to be able to sleep peacefully, to feel secure and confident in God's protection - we must learn to trust Him like David did.
Father in heaven, O Wonderful Counselor and Mighty King, lead us in Your ways. Lead us in the paths of righteousness, for Your Name's sake. Lead us in justice and truth and love. We call upon You to help us in this and we know that You hear our prayers. You are the God of our righteousness.
You have made us Your own . Your children, your servants, yours alone. We lay down our own desires and "rights"; we offer them on the altar before You. We put our trust in You. We wait on You to provide all we need. We wait on You to deliver us from evil. We wait on You trusting in You all-sufficient grace. Thank You for hearing our prayers. Thank You for the grace and peace and joy that You give us in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen
God is the God of our righteousness. He alone is righteous and our only hope of being righteous... of knowing and doing what is right - comes from Him. He maintains right (thoughts and actions) for us. He is just and fair and right and He leads us to become those things too. That is His will for us. So when we pray - "Thy will be done" - this is a part of what we are asking. And we can trust Him to do what He wants to do!
v3 " But know that the Lord has set apart the godly man for Himself". The Lord takes those who have bowed to Him, those who have accepted His righteousness in place of their filthy rags, and has wonderfully distinguished them as His own. Think on this! " Tremble and do not sin; Meditate in your heart upon your bed and be still." ( v4) Choosing to trust Him to make us what He wants us to be - righteous ; holy, just, pure, good, kind, loving, children - makes us His.
v5 " Offer the sacrifices of righteousness and trust in the Lord." Sometimes it is hard to do what is right, but we can lay down our own wills and kill our own pride and stubbornness - and do what we know God wants us to do. It is not easy sometimes... it is a sacrifice. A bloody, messy, uncomfortable and yet marvelous thing. To lay down our hurts and our self-efforts, our self-righteousness and our judgmental attitudes is hard! But we must do it. Lay it on the altar before God and kill it. Choose to trust Him! The results will be worth it!
v7-8 " Thou hast put gladness in my heart. More than when their grain and new wine abound. In peace I will both lie down and sleep, for Thou alone, O Lord, dost make me to dwell in safety."
The only way to be truly happy - to be glad down deep inside - is to find this way that God has provided. To be able to rejoice, to be able to sleep peacefully, to feel secure and confident in God's protection - we must learn to trust Him like David did.
Father in heaven, O Wonderful Counselor and Mighty King, lead us in Your ways. Lead us in the paths of righteousness, for Your Name's sake. Lead us in justice and truth and love. We call upon You to help us in this and we know that You hear our prayers. You are the God of our righteousness.
You have made us Your own . Your children, your servants, yours alone. We lay down our own desires and "rights"; we offer them on the altar before You. We put our trust in You. We wait on You to provide all we need. We wait on You to deliver us from evil. We wait on You trusting in You all-sufficient grace. Thank You for hearing our prayers. Thank You for the grace and peace and joy that You give us in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen
Monday, June 2, 2014
Psalm 5:3 " In the morning, O Lord, Thou wilt hear my voice; In the morning I will order my prayer to Thee and eagerly watch."
How often to we pray and then watch? We pray, we bring our requests, our needs, our fears and our worries... but we don't take the next step.. Do we remember to watch for the Lord to answer?
David brings God his concerns... respectfully and humbly-
"For Thou art not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness. No evil dwells with Thee." ( v4) or as the Message puts it, " You don't socialize with Wicked, or invite Evil over as Your houseguest."
The boastful.
The "Mischief-makers"
The liars.
The murderers.
These are not welcome in God's House. David asks God to hold them guilty and let them fall into their own traps. "Kick them out" ( verse10 The Message).
But David does not just pray against the wicked. He seeks God's Presence.
"But as for me, by Thine abundant lovingkindness I will enter Thy house. At Thy holy temple I will bow in reverence for Thee. O Lord, lead me in Thy righteousness because of my foes; Make Thy way straight before me." Be our shield. Be our refuge. Shelter us. Favor us. Hear us.
And David knows what God's answer will be!
God, Himself, invites us in. He "welcomes us with open arms when we run for cover to" Him.
( v11, The Message)
Jesus assures us that if we seek Him we will find Him! When we knock the door will be opened. When we ask, He will answer. ( Matthew 7:7)
Like David we need to seek the right thing - His Presence and His righteousness. Jesus says the same thing, " But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things will be added to you."
Father in Heaven, our Lord and our King, teach us to truly wait upon You and to WATCH for Your answer. We pray with eager hearts this morning, for Your Name to be honored, for Your kingdom to come and for Your will to be done. We pray for the end of wickedness and evil and for the establishment of Your righteousness. We pray for faith and hope and love, to live in Your Holy Presence today. That we might do all things for You, in love. Help us to love You with all our hearts and souls and minds today. To trust Your lovingkindness. To yield to Your will and walk in Your Spirit. We seek YOU today, Father. Lead us in righteousness today, Lord. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen.
How often to we pray and then watch? We pray, we bring our requests, our needs, our fears and our worries... but we don't take the next step.. Do we remember to watch for the Lord to answer?
David brings God his concerns... respectfully and humbly-
"For Thou art not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness. No evil dwells with Thee." ( v4) or as the Message puts it, " You don't socialize with Wicked, or invite Evil over as Your houseguest."
The boastful.
The "Mischief-makers"
The liars.
The murderers.
These are not welcome in God's House. David asks God to hold them guilty and let them fall into their own traps. "Kick them out" ( verse10 The Message).
But David does not just pray against the wicked. He seeks God's Presence.
"But as for me, by Thine abundant lovingkindness I will enter Thy house. At Thy holy temple I will bow in reverence for Thee. O Lord, lead me in Thy righteousness because of my foes; Make Thy way straight before me." Be our shield. Be our refuge. Shelter us. Favor us. Hear us.
And David knows what God's answer will be!
God, Himself, invites us in. He "welcomes us with open arms when we run for cover to" Him.
( v11, The Message)
Jesus assures us that if we seek Him we will find Him! When we knock the door will be opened. When we ask, He will answer. ( Matthew 7:7)
Like David we need to seek the right thing - His Presence and His righteousness. Jesus says the same thing, " But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things will be added to you."
Father in Heaven, our Lord and our King, teach us to truly wait upon You and to WATCH for Your answer. We pray with eager hearts this morning, for Your Name to be honored, for Your kingdom to come and for Your will to be done. We pray for the end of wickedness and evil and for the establishment of Your righteousness. We pray for faith and hope and love, to live in Your Holy Presence today. That we might do all things for You, in love. Help us to love You with all our hearts and souls and minds today. To trust Your lovingkindness. To yield to Your will and walk in Your Spirit. We seek YOU today, Father. Lead us in righteousness today, Lord. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen.
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