http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus%2019-21&version=NIV
I grew up with the understanding drilled into my head in confirmation classes that the Old Testament is the Law and the New Testament is the Gospel – that the Old Testament points us to the need for a savior and the New Testament points us to our Savior. I think that those divisions perhaps simplify things to much. Why? Because the Old Testament is filled with promises of God’s rescue and saving grace, His great love for his People, and His provision, and most importantly His immense grace and mercy for a rebellious people. Yes, there is definitely much gospel in the Old Testament.
Together the Old and the New Testament reveal God’s Holy, Sovereign, and Loving plan. Today’s scripture gives us a picture of a powerful God, a Holy God, a perfect God – a God of great glory. Today’s reading gives us a picture of a God who knows how imperfect we are and who will lovingly provide Perfection for us. Today we get just a glimpse of how much we don’t know and understand about our mysterious God because his ways are hidden from us, but how little that matters when we walk in faith in who He is. He is, after all, the I AM.
I confess that today I’m using the wisdom of someone who knows much more than I do. I receive a magazine called Table Talk, published for Ligonier ministries and R.C. Sproul. And so the words of wisdom I share are the words of R.C. Sproul. On a side note, Sproul wrote a book called The Holiness of God, that I highly recommend. Here is what he has to say about Exodus 19:
“Now Mount Sinai was wrapped in smoke because the Lord had descended on it in fire. The smoke of it went up like the smoke of a kiln, and the whole mountain trembled greatly.” Exodus 19:18
Deuteronomy 17:14-20 lays the foundation for the monarch in Israel and the Davidic ruler, explaining that the only legitimate king of God’s people is the one who keeps His law. This law was revealed in shadowy form at Mr. Sinai under the terms of the old covenant, and Sinai is an important motif that we find developed throughout the Old Testament and fulfilled under the new covenant.
Sinai first appears in Exodus 3, although in that chapter it is called Mr. Horeb, which is another name by which the mountain is known. God first revealed Himself to Moses on Sinai, when He called him to go to the pharaoh, and it is Sinai to which the people of Israel came and received the Law after being liberated from Egyptian slavery. As such, Sinai could be considered the mountain of the Lord’s revelation, since our Creator disclosed Himself there.
In Exodus 19, Moses gives us an inspired account of what happened at Sinai when the Israelites arrived. God made His presence known on the beginning of the third day, descending as fire and enveloping the mountain in lightning, thunder, cloud and smoke (vs. 16-19). This was truly an awesome sight, and it was meant to remind the people that the sovereign who set them free was no deity to be taken lightly. Other passages of Scripture tell us that angels were also present (Gal. 3:19), their submission to the Lord being a further indication of His glory and power. God’s holiness is also a powerful motif in His appearance to the people at Sinai, as the need for the people to be purified is stressed. They are also forbidden to touch the mountain lest they be destroyed (Ex. 19:9b-15).
Even though God have His people the Torah at Mt. Sinai, Exodus 19 also shows us how He remained hidden. As many commentators note, the presence of clouds and smoke indicated that our Lord concealed His full glory form the eyes of the people. God have His commandments, but He did not tell us everything there is to know about Him. This is an important principle to remember, for we are to learn that the Lord has revealed only what we need to know and that we have no business prying into our speculated about things not disclosed to us. As Marin Luther says, “Wherever God hides Himself, and wills to be unknown to us, there we have no concern.
We must not try to find answers to questions God never has answered (Deut. 29:29). The Lord has told us all we need to know in this present sinful age, trusting Him involves us acknowledging that there are some things we are not meant to know. When we realize that there are some things we are not meant to know. When we realize that there are some things God has not told us, we will not give pat answers to suffering or become discouraged when we cannot find answers to questions the Bible never asks.
For further study: Deuteronomy 29:29; Job 42:1-6; Daniel 12:8-9; Hebrews 2:1-4
Today's post submitted by Carol Bartels
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Day 34: Exodus 16-18
Today’s passage: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=exodus%2016-18&version=NIV
Today’s passage is yet another amazing illustration of our God as a provider. In the wilderness, he produced a daily supply of manna to eat and brought forth water from a rock to drink. He continued to build a faith in His people, teaching them that they could count on and trust in Him. We also see God as a different kind of provider. We see him provide for Moses by using other people in his life. God equips Moses with a community to pray with him and with a wise mentor to give good counsel.
In chapter 17 we see God fighting another battle for His people when the Israelites are attacked by the Amalekites. Moses comes up with a battle plan. First, he sends Joshua to gather some men and fight the Amalekites, but he knew that wouldn’t be enough. He needed a two pronged attack, so he armed himself with prayer. He stood on the hill during the battle and lifted his hands to the heavens with the staff of God in hand and he prayed. He knew that this battle would not be won without God. God had shattered his enemy before, and Moses knew that it would be God who would lead them to victory against the Amalekites.
Notice in this battle, the amount of community involvement. Not only did Joshua choose men to fight with him against the Amalekites, but Moses, chose Aaron and Hur to pray with him. Exodus 17:11 says “As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning.” But Moses couldn’t possibly hold his hands up in prayer during the entire battle. Verse 12 & 13 go on to say “When Moses' hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset. So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword.” This is such a beautiful picture of support! These are the kind of people I want to surround myself with. Friends of strong faith who will hold me up when I’m in the middle of a battle. Friends who will stand beside me and help me lift my hands up in prayer when I grow weary. Imagine if Moses had the kind of friends that Job had. They might have discouraged him by saying “you’re in this wilderness battle because you’re a bad leader and God is punishing you.” Or even worse, what if Moses had a wife like Job. She might have said “Curse God and die, I’m tired of this battle”. Instead, God surrounded Moses with people of faith who would support him as he reached out to God.
We see another illustration of the importance of wise Christian friends in chapter 18 when Jethro visits with Moses. He saw that Moses was falling into the trap of overextending himself. Moses was wearing himself out acting as judge for all of the people. Jethro gave Moses some wise advice: Delegate; you can’t do it all; you’ll wear yourself out and then you’ll be no good as their leader (Ex 18:17-23). If only we all had a mentor like Jethro to step in and point out when we are heading down the path of wearing ourselves out. Whether you’re running a Bible study, acting as team mom, caring for a parent or raising a child, it can be easy to wear yourself out if you don’t choose some trustworthy, god fearing people to rally around you and help lighten your load. Pay attention to the people God puts in your life. He puts them there for a reason!
It is so important that we surround ourselves with wise and faithful mentors and friends. I know that when I first moved back to Houston after a 3 year stay in California, I prayed that God would provide me with some good Christian girlfriends and he did so abundantly. I am so blessed that when I am in a period of wilderness, I can call on my friends to hold me up and stand beside me in prayer. If you are lacking in a circle of Christian friends, pray that God will provide you with friends and a mentor to support you in your walk. Pray that he will open doors to a community of faith and bless you with a circle of sisters or a band of brothers that will give you godly counsel and support you in your battles. This is a prayer that God loves to fulfill. I will be praying for you too!
Today’s post submitted by Kelly Coxe
Today’s passage is yet another amazing illustration of our God as a provider. In the wilderness, he produced a daily supply of manna to eat and brought forth water from a rock to drink. He continued to build a faith in His people, teaching them that they could count on and trust in Him. We also see God as a different kind of provider. We see him provide for Moses by using other people in his life. God equips Moses with a community to pray with him and with a wise mentor to give good counsel.
In chapter 17 we see God fighting another battle for His people when the Israelites are attacked by the Amalekites. Moses comes up with a battle plan. First, he sends Joshua to gather some men and fight the Amalekites, but he knew that wouldn’t be enough. He needed a two pronged attack, so he armed himself with prayer. He stood on the hill during the battle and lifted his hands to the heavens with the staff of God in hand and he prayed. He knew that this battle would not be won without God. God had shattered his enemy before, and Moses knew that it would be God who would lead them to victory against the Amalekites.
Notice in this battle, the amount of community involvement. Not only did Joshua choose men to fight with him against the Amalekites, but Moses, chose Aaron and Hur to pray with him. Exodus 17:11 says “As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning.” But Moses couldn’t possibly hold his hands up in prayer during the entire battle. Verse 12 & 13 go on to say “When Moses' hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset. So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword.” This is such a beautiful picture of support! These are the kind of people I want to surround myself with. Friends of strong faith who will hold me up when I’m in the middle of a battle. Friends who will stand beside me and help me lift my hands up in prayer when I grow weary. Imagine if Moses had the kind of friends that Job had. They might have discouraged him by saying “you’re in this wilderness battle because you’re a bad leader and God is punishing you.” Or even worse, what if Moses had a wife like Job. She might have said “Curse God and die, I’m tired of this battle”. Instead, God surrounded Moses with people of faith who would support him as he reached out to God.
We see another illustration of the importance of wise Christian friends in chapter 18 when Jethro visits with Moses. He saw that Moses was falling into the trap of overextending himself. Moses was wearing himself out acting as judge for all of the people. Jethro gave Moses some wise advice: Delegate; you can’t do it all; you’ll wear yourself out and then you’ll be no good as their leader (Ex 18:17-23). If only we all had a mentor like Jethro to step in and point out when we are heading down the path of wearing ourselves out. Whether you’re running a Bible study, acting as team mom, caring for a parent or raising a child, it can be easy to wear yourself out if you don’t choose some trustworthy, god fearing people to rally around you and help lighten your load. Pay attention to the people God puts in your life. He puts them there for a reason!
It is so important that we surround ourselves with wise and faithful mentors and friends. I know that when I first moved back to Houston after a 3 year stay in California, I prayed that God would provide me with some good Christian girlfriends and he did so abundantly. I am so blessed that when I am in a period of wilderness, I can call on my friends to hold me up and stand beside me in prayer. If you are lacking in a circle of Christian friends, pray that God will provide you with friends and a mentor to support you in your walk. Pray that he will open doors to a community of faith and bless you with a circle of sisters or a band of brothers that will give you godly counsel and support you in your battles. This is a prayer that God loves to fulfill. I will be praying for you too!
Today’s post submitted by Kelly Coxe
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Day 33: Exodus 13-15
Today's passage: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus%2013-15&version=NIV
This passage in Exodus shows how God accomplished what he set out to do. After the miraculous parting of the Red Sea, Moses and the Israelites break out in a song full of praise and hope. In Ex 12:12, God revealed through Moses that He was about to “bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt”. Now, after the exodus, Israel proclaims in song, “Who among the gods is like you, O Lord?” (Ex 15:11). They have seen that the gods of Egypt are nothing. They have seen that God is Lord over life and death, provider of all things, giver of mercy, protector of His people, but full of wrath toward those who come against Him. Also, in Ex 6:7, God said that Israel would know that He was the Lord their God, who brought them out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. Now, after the exodus, the Israelites sang, “He is my God, and I will praise him” (Ex 15:2). The Israelites have definitely taken a turn in their faith. They now have seen God fight their battle for them just as Moses said He would (Ex 14:14). Notice, however that although God fought their battle for them, they had to do their part. They must have been terrified crossing that body of water as the wind blew a path for them. They had to step out in obedient faith in order for God to rescue them.
In Ex 15:13 the song turned from thanks for shattering the enemy (15:6) to hope in the future - "In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling.” The exodus became a symbol and source of hope for Israel’s future deliverance. We too, can look forward to redemption and deliverance from this world of sin through our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Later, in Ex 15:22, we saw another change. When things were good, the Israelites were quick to praise the name of the Lord, but after going three days without finding water, they were back to grumbling again. It’s interesting that they had just praised God for his mighty manipulation of the waters in the Red Sea, but shortly after they did not trust Him to provide water to drink. They looked to Moses to provide for them, failing to cry out to God for their provisions. This is a trap we often fall into as well. We fail to apply our faith in our daily walk. We say we trust Him, but then when it comes time to show it, we turn to man instead of God. God took this opportunity with the Israelites as a teachable moment. After He made the water sweet and drinkable, the Lord said to the Israelites, “If you listen carefully to the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD, who heals you." (Ex 15:26). God is asking them to trust Him. He wants them to be obedient and to come to know Him through the trials in Egypt and in the wilderness. We, too, can grow in our knowledge of God’s character and come to know him more fully through his leadership during our struggles in the wilderness. Having experienced His faithfulness during our times of wilderness, we can hope in the future fulfillment of His promises.
Romans 5:2-5 says “…And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us”. Just like the muscles in our body, we must exercise our faith in order for it to grow and it is during times of wilderness that we our faith is exercised. As we see with the Israelites, building a great faith is a process. It doesn’t just happen over night. As we move in and out of the paradise and wilderness periods of life, our faith grows as we watch God’s mighty hand at work. He brings us out of slavery, shatters the enemy, and provides for our needs. Through it all, He asks that we trust Him through our obedience. As we see in the book of Moses, huge blessings follow faith and obedience.
Are you in a wilderness period of life right now? Ask that God open your eyes to His presence. Cry out to Him for help instead of looking for help in worldly leaders. Pray that he will grow your faith and use this struggle as a teachable moment in your life, drawing you closer to Him.
Today's post submitted by Kelly Coxe
This passage in Exodus shows how God accomplished what he set out to do. After the miraculous parting of the Red Sea, Moses and the Israelites break out in a song full of praise and hope. In Ex 12:12, God revealed through Moses that He was about to “bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt”. Now, after the exodus, Israel proclaims in song, “Who among the gods is like you, O Lord?” (Ex 15:11). They have seen that the gods of Egypt are nothing. They have seen that God is Lord over life and death, provider of all things, giver of mercy, protector of His people, but full of wrath toward those who come against Him. Also, in Ex 6:7, God said that Israel would know that He was the Lord their God, who brought them out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. Now, after the exodus, the Israelites sang, “He is my God, and I will praise him” (Ex 15:2). The Israelites have definitely taken a turn in their faith. They now have seen God fight their battle for them just as Moses said He would (Ex 14:14). Notice, however that although God fought their battle for them, they had to do their part. They must have been terrified crossing that body of water as the wind blew a path for them. They had to step out in obedient faith in order for God to rescue them.
In Ex 15:13 the song turned from thanks for shattering the enemy (15:6) to hope in the future - "In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling.” The exodus became a symbol and source of hope for Israel’s future deliverance. We too, can look forward to redemption and deliverance from this world of sin through our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Later, in Ex 15:22, we saw another change. When things were good, the Israelites were quick to praise the name of the Lord, but after going three days without finding water, they were back to grumbling again. It’s interesting that they had just praised God for his mighty manipulation of the waters in the Red Sea, but shortly after they did not trust Him to provide water to drink. They looked to Moses to provide for them, failing to cry out to God for their provisions. This is a trap we often fall into as well. We fail to apply our faith in our daily walk. We say we trust Him, but then when it comes time to show it, we turn to man instead of God. God took this opportunity with the Israelites as a teachable moment. After He made the water sweet and drinkable, the Lord said to the Israelites, “If you listen carefully to the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD, who heals you." (Ex 15:26). God is asking them to trust Him. He wants them to be obedient and to come to know Him through the trials in Egypt and in the wilderness. We, too, can grow in our knowledge of God’s character and come to know him more fully through his leadership during our struggles in the wilderness. Having experienced His faithfulness during our times of wilderness, we can hope in the future fulfillment of His promises.
Romans 5:2-5 says “…And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us”. Just like the muscles in our body, we must exercise our faith in order for it to grow and it is during times of wilderness that we our faith is exercised. As we see with the Israelites, building a great faith is a process. It doesn’t just happen over night. As we move in and out of the paradise and wilderness periods of life, our faith grows as we watch God’s mighty hand at work. He brings us out of slavery, shatters the enemy, and provides for our needs. Through it all, He asks that we trust Him through our obedience. As we see in the book of Moses, huge blessings follow faith and obedience.
Are you in a wilderness period of life right now? Ask that God open your eyes to His presence. Cry out to Him for help instead of looking for help in worldly leaders. Pray that he will grow your faith and use this struggle as a teachable moment in your life, drawing you closer to Him.
Today's post submitted by Kelly Coxe
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Day 32: Exodus 1012
Today's passage: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=exodus+10-12&version=NIV
As we move into chapters 10-12, the plagues continued. Pharaoh responded with immense pride in defiance of what the Lord called Israel to do. In Egyptian culture, Pharaoh had all the power and was worshipped as a god. Pharaoh was full of pride and couldn’t bear to release his slaves to go sacrifice to another God. He had no need for God until the plagues got to be too much. With each plague, he would repent and ask Moses to pray to God for forgiveness. He would promise to let them go and as soon as things were back to normal, in defiance of the Lord, Pharaoh would try to determine the terms of the release of God’s people. I think we are quick to believe we aren't like Pharaoh, but who among us hasn't gone before God begging for relief and making promises about what we will do if he delivers us, only to fall back into our own patterns when relief comes. We can definitely learn a lesson from Pharaoh!
In chapters 11 & 12, we reach the final and most horrific plague, the death of every first born. This plague is different from the others, not just because of its gravity, but because this time, God asks His people to demonstrate their faith. In past plagues, God had made a distinction by protecting Israel’s land, livestock and people from the effects. This time, they are called to act faithfully in order for the Lord to “pass over” them during the tenth plague. They must follow God’s directions in the sacrificing a lamb for a Passover feast.
Just like we saw foreshadowing in the story of Joseph, here in the Passover story, we also see revelation of what is to come in our Deliverer, Jesus Christ. In this Passover, God’s people were required to act in faith in order to be delivered from death of the firstborn. We too, are delivered by our faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior. Galatians 3:14 says “He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.” Also, in this Passover, deliverance from death of the firstborn comes through the blood of a sacrificial lamb. John 1:29 says “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” We have the ultimate deliverance from death and are offered eternal life through the blood of Christ, our sacrificial lamb.
I am so thankful that God provided a Deliverer in Jesus Christ for us. Take some time to meditate on his good and perfect gift. Are you aware of someone who has allowed pride or other sin to harden his or her heart toward God’s love? Be faithful in your daily prayer, that they will come to know God as their Deliverer and share in this amazing gift!
Psalm 18:1-2 “I love you, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”
Today’s post submitted by Kelly Coxe
As we move into chapters 10-12, the plagues continued. Pharaoh responded with immense pride in defiance of what the Lord called Israel to do. In Egyptian culture, Pharaoh had all the power and was worshipped as a god. Pharaoh was full of pride and couldn’t bear to release his slaves to go sacrifice to another God. He had no need for God until the plagues got to be too much. With each plague, he would repent and ask Moses to pray to God for forgiveness. He would promise to let them go and as soon as things were back to normal, in defiance of the Lord, Pharaoh would try to determine the terms of the release of God’s people. I think we are quick to believe we aren't like Pharaoh, but who among us hasn't gone before God begging for relief and making promises about what we will do if he delivers us, only to fall back into our own patterns when relief comes. We can definitely learn a lesson from Pharaoh!
In chapters 11 & 12, we reach the final and most horrific plague, the death of every first born. This plague is different from the others, not just because of its gravity, but because this time, God asks His people to demonstrate their faith. In past plagues, God had made a distinction by protecting Israel’s land, livestock and people from the effects. This time, they are called to act faithfully in order for the Lord to “pass over” them during the tenth plague. They must follow God’s directions in the sacrificing a lamb for a Passover feast.
Just like we saw foreshadowing in the story of Joseph, here in the Passover story, we also see revelation of what is to come in our Deliverer, Jesus Christ. In this Passover, God’s people were required to act in faith in order to be delivered from death of the firstborn. We too, are delivered by our faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior. Galatians 3:14 says “He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.” Also, in this Passover, deliverance from death of the firstborn comes through the blood of a sacrificial lamb. John 1:29 says “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” We have the ultimate deliverance from death and are offered eternal life through the blood of Christ, our sacrificial lamb.
I am so thankful that God provided a Deliverer in Jesus Christ for us. Take some time to meditate on his good and perfect gift. Are you aware of someone who has allowed pride or other sin to harden his or her heart toward God’s love? Be faithful in your daily prayer, that they will come to know God as their Deliverer and share in this amazing gift!
Psalm 18:1-2 “I love you, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”
Today’s post submitted by Kelly Coxe
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Day 31: Exodus 7-9
Today's passage: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=exodus%207-9&version=NIV
In Chapters 7-9 we see God’s amazing power as He begins unleashing the plagues across Egypt. Back in chapter 6, God told Moses that he wanted to reveal himself to his people in a way that He had not revealed Himself to the patriarchs. He wanted to reveal Himself as a Mighty, powerful, redeemer who delivers his people from the yoke of slavery. He wanted them to know that they are his people and that He is their God.
As I read about the plagues, there was one phrase that bothered me. The Lord hardened the Pharaohs heart. It just didn’t sit right with me, because the God I know and worship doesn’t harden hearts. He doesn’t use people like puppets to show His mighty power. He desires that we all know Him as our Lord. He desires to have an eternal relationship with us. He desires that we accept his free gift of grace and repent of our sins and confess with our mouth that He is our one and only Savior. So why would he harden someone’s heart?
As I prayed about this, my mind went back to a verse we looked at earlier this week. Ezekiel 36:26 says: “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” Here’s the thing about a heart of flesh and a new spirit…no where in the Bible does God give it to anyone who does not want it. We, like Pharoah, are all born sinners (Romans 3:23), but Romans 6:23 says “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord”. That gift must be accepted and is lost if it is rejected. We just have to believe in Christ Jesus as our Savior to receive our free gift of everlasting life. (John 3:16), then our hearts are softened (Ez 36:26), then we become a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17), then we begin our transformation into the likeness of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18).
The Lord is a persistent God and He gave Pharaoh many opportunities to repent and change his ways, but after a time, God rejected Pharaoh, hardening his heart permanently. The original Hebrew text during the first 6 plagues say that the Pharaoh’s heart was already hardened. God didn’t harden Pharaohs heart until after the 6th plague.
First Chronicles 28:9 says “And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever”. Also take time to read Romans 1:18-32, Paul tells of how God made Himself clearly visible to the people and they still would not glorify Him as God or give thanks to Him. The result was that God gave them over to their sinful nature and darkened their hearts. By the 6th plague, I think we can all agree that Pharaoh had rejected God and it was at this point that God rejected him.
God knew Pharaoh would reject him. He knows the thoughts we will have before we have them. He knows the very number of hairs on our heads at any given time. When he told Moses that He would harden Pharaohs heart, he wasn’t taking away Pharaohs free will. He was foretelling of the choices he would make.
I am so thankful that we are not puppets on a string in a supernatural performance. We have the freedom of choice to accept or reject God. He is a very persistent God who doesn’t just reveal Himself to us in some small way and move on. He revealed Himself in some pretty amazing ways to Pharaoh during the plagues, but he still chose to reject God. If God has been tugging on your heart, don’t ignore it. Ask Him to show Himself to you and watch for it. Romans 10:17 says Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ. Because we now have the Word of God, He most likely won’t reveal Himself through miraculous signs or plagues. We have access to Him through the Bible and through the Holy Spirit who he sent to us after the resurrection of Christ. If you don’t know Christ as your Savior, pray that your eyes be opened to His glory through the reading of His Word and your interaction with others and the beauty of His creation. I am praying for you as well.
Today's blog by Kelly Coxe
In Chapters 7-9 we see God’s amazing power as He begins unleashing the plagues across Egypt. Back in chapter 6, God told Moses that he wanted to reveal himself to his people in a way that He had not revealed Himself to the patriarchs. He wanted to reveal Himself as a Mighty, powerful, redeemer who delivers his people from the yoke of slavery. He wanted them to know that they are his people and that He is their God.
As I read about the plagues, there was one phrase that bothered me. The Lord hardened the Pharaohs heart. It just didn’t sit right with me, because the God I know and worship doesn’t harden hearts. He doesn’t use people like puppets to show His mighty power. He desires that we all know Him as our Lord. He desires to have an eternal relationship with us. He desires that we accept his free gift of grace and repent of our sins and confess with our mouth that He is our one and only Savior. So why would he harden someone’s heart?
As I prayed about this, my mind went back to a verse we looked at earlier this week. Ezekiel 36:26 says: “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” Here’s the thing about a heart of flesh and a new spirit…no where in the Bible does God give it to anyone who does not want it. We, like Pharoah, are all born sinners (Romans 3:23), but Romans 6:23 says “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord”. That gift must be accepted and is lost if it is rejected. We just have to believe in Christ Jesus as our Savior to receive our free gift of everlasting life. (John 3:16), then our hearts are softened (Ez 36:26), then we become a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17), then we begin our transformation into the likeness of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18).
The Lord is a persistent God and He gave Pharaoh many opportunities to repent and change his ways, but after a time, God rejected Pharaoh, hardening his heart permanently. The original Hebrew text during the first 6 plagues say that the Pharaoh’s heart was already hardened. God didn’t harden Pharaohs heart until after the 6th plague.
First Chronicles 28:9 says “And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever”. Also take time to read Romans 1:18-32, Paul tells of how God made Himself clearly visible to the people and they still would not glorify Him as God or give thanks to Him. The result was that God gave them over to their sinful nature and darkened their hearts. By the 6th plague, I think we can all agree that Pharaoh had rejected God and it was at this point that God rejected him.
God knew Pharaoh would reject him. He knows the thoughts we will have before we have them. He knows the very number of hairs on our heads at any given time. When he told Moses that He would harden Pharaohs heart, he wasn’t taking away Pharaohs free will. He was foretelling of the choices he would make.
I am so thankful that we are not puppets on a string in a supernatural performance. We have the freedom of choice to accept or reject God. He is a very persistent God who doesn’t just reveal Himself to us in some small way and move on. He revealed Himself in some pretty amazing ways to Pharaoh during the plagues, but he still chose to reject God. If God has been tugging on your heart, don’t ignore it. Ask Him to show Himself to you and watch for it. Romans 10:17 says Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ. Because we now have the Word of God, He most likely won’t reveal Himself through miraculous signs or plagues. We have access to Him through the Bible and through the Holy Spirit who he sent to us after the resurrection of Christ. If you don’t know Christ as your Savior, pray that your eyes be opened to His glory through the reading of His Word and your interaction with others and the beauty of His creation. I am praying for you as well.
Today's blog by Kelly Coxe
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Day 30: Exodus 4-6
Today's passage: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=exodus%204-6&version=NIV
If God revealed himself to you and asked you to do something for him, what would your response be? I want my response to be like that of Mary in Luke 1:38, “I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Or like Isaiah’s in Isaiah 6:8 “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!’” Often times, however, this isn’t the case. I’m full of excuses – I’m too busy, ill-equipped, too tired, don’t have enough money, etc, etc.
Moses, like many of us, was full of Excuses, Excuses, Excuses! God asked Moses to lead the Hebrew people out of Egypt and he responded in chapter three with three excuses and is continuing in chapter four with two more. Let’s look at how God responded to each of Moses’ excuses.
Excuse # 1: I’m not good enough. God responded with I will be with you. Moses was right in a way. In and of ourselves, we can never be good enough. God’s not asking us to be amazing. He’s asking us to allow Him be amazing through us. His presence makes us worthy and if He asks us to do something, He does not expect you to do it without his presence.
Excuse # 2: I really don’t even know you; who are you? God responded with “I AM WHO I AM” (Ex 3:14). Names in Hebrew indicate character. Basically, God is telling Moses that He is the God who is, will be, and causes to be. He is the source of all that is and will fulfill his purpose for His people. He is a dependable, unchanging, reliable God. For us, this God in the Bible is the same God we can depend on today.
Excuse # 3: No one’s going to believe me anyway. God responded with visible, miraculous signs that would allow others to see His glory. We often use this excuse when we are called to give our testimony. But God does not expect us to convince someone or force them to believe. That’s the job of the Holy Spirit. He might not use miraculous or visible signs, but He will use the Holy Spirit to get the job done. It’s our job to share…God will take care of the rest.
Excuse # 4: I’m not a good speaker. God replied I will put words in your mouth. God does the same for us. Often teachers of the Word and those who share their story find that God directs them and gives them words to speak. Whatever it is that God is calling you to do, he will equip you. Whether it’s leading a small group, helping with missions, or sharing your story, He will guide and direct you to develop & refine your gifts.
Excuse # 5: I just don’t want to – pick someone else! God didn’t respond by letting Moses off the hook; instead, he sent Aaron with Him. God will also bless you with teachers and mentors in your life to send with you on your journeys if that is what is needed.
Often times when we are called to do something for God, we too have excuses. Moses almost excused his way out of a pretty amazing blessing. Can you imagine if God has accepted his first excuse? God’s plan would have been executed with or without Moses. How would Moses have felt if he had refused and watched someone else accomplish his purpose in life for him? Praise God that he doesn’t let us off the hook so easily. Ephesians 2:10 says “For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” We are created to do good works that God has prepared for us. We often try to fill the voids in our lives with our own vain ambitions and plans, but when we do what we are created to do; that’s when we feel complete; that’s where true joy comes from. Take some time to reflect on your own response to God’s calling. Have you ever responded with a bunch of excuses? How did God respond to you? It's time to ditch our excuses and answer like Isaiah - Here I am, Lord. Send me!
By the way Bridge members, we have quite a few opportunities that are available to serve in our class. If God has been leading you to serve, it's a great time to jump in. You may soon be approached by someone in leadership, but don't be afraid to volunteer without being asked! Start up a dialogue with God today and ask Him to reveal to you a place of service in our class. (Sorry - couldn't resist the opportunity)
Todays post submitted by Kelly Coxe
If God revealed himself to you and asked you to do something for him, what would your response be? I want my response to be like that of Mary in Luke 1:38, “I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Or like Isaiah’s in Isaiah 6:8 “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!’” Often times, however, this isn’t the case. I’m full of excuses – I’m too busy, ill-equipped, too tired, don’t have enough money, etc, etc.
Moses, like many of us, was full of Excuses, Excuses, Excuses! God asked Moses to lead the Hebrew people out of Egypt and he responded in chapter three with three excuses and is continuing in chapter four with two more. Let’s look at how God responded to each of Moses’ excuses.
Excuse # 1: I’m not good enough. God responded with I will be with you. Moses was right in a way. In and of ourselves, we can never be good enough. God’s not asking us to be amazing. He’s asking us to allow Him be amazing through us. His presence makes us worthy and if He asks us to do something, He does not expect you to do it without his presence.
Excuse # 2: I really don’t even know you; who are you? God responded with “I AM WHO I AM” (Ex 3:14). Names in Hebrew indicate character. Basically, God is telling Moses that He is the God who is, will be, and causes to be. He is the source of all that is and will fulfill his purpose for His people. He is a dependable, unchanging, reliable God. For us, this God in the Bible is the same God we can depend on today.
Excuse # 3: No one’s going to believe me anyway. God responded with visible, miraculous signs that would allow others to see His glory. We often use this excuse when we are called to give our testimony. But God does not expect us to convince someone or force them to believe. That’s the job of the Holy Spirit. He might not use miraculous or visible signs, but He will use the Holy Spirit to get the job done. It’s our job to share…God will take care of the rest.
Excuse # 4: I’m not a good speaker. God replied I will put words in your mouth. God does the same for us. Often teachers of the Word and those who share their story find that God directs them and gives them words to speak. Whatever it is that God is calling you to do, he will equip you. Whether it’s leading a small group, helping with missions, or sharing your story, He will guide and direct you to develop & refine your gifts.
Excuse # 5: I just don’t want to – pick someone else! God didn’t respond by letting Moses off the hook; instead, he sent Aaron with Him. God will also bless you with teachers and mentors in your life to send with you on your journeys if that is what is needed.
Often times when we are called to do something for God, we too have excuses. Moses almost excused his way out of a pretty amazing blessing. Can you imagine if God has accepted his first excuse? God’s plan would have been executed with or without Moses. How would Moses have felt if he had refused and watched someone else accomplish his purpose in life for him? Praise God that he doesn’t let us off the hook so easily. Ephesians 2:10 says “For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” We are created to do good works that God has prepared for us. We often try to fill the voids in our lives with our own vain ambitions and plans, but when we do what we are created to do; that’s when we feel complete; that’s where true joy comes from. Take some time to reflect on your own response to God’s calling. Have you ever responded with a bunch of excuses? How did God respond to you? It's time to ditch our excuses and answer like Isaiah - Here I am, Lord. Send me!
By the way Bridge members, we have quite a few opportunities that are available to serve in our class. If God has been leading you to serve, it's a great time to jump in. You may soon be approached by someone in leadership, but don't be afraid to volunteer without being asked! Start up a dialogue with God today and ask Him to reveal to you a place of service in our class. (Sorry - couldn't resist the opportunity)
Todays post submitted by Kelly Coxe
Monday, February 1, 2010
Day 29: Exodus 1-3
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=exodus%201-3&version=NIV
As we move in to Exodus, we continue to see the story of God’ people in Egypt. With a new Pharaoh in charge, they went from being respected and honored to oppressed and enslaved. The Hebrew descendants living in Egypt were strong and numerous, and this worried the new Pharaoh, so he decided to oppress and enslave them. But God’s people cried out. They cried out and He heard their cry. The Hebrew people did not realize that God was already at work. His amazing providence brought forth a leader in Moses who God would use to deliver them from oppression.
In this passage of Exodus, God reminds us that He hears the cry of his people, that he is concerned and that he will deliver them from their suffering. Look at these four verses:
Exodus 2:24, “God heard their groaning and he remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac and with Jacob.”
Exodus 3:7, “The LORD said, ‘I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering’.”
Exodus 3:9, God continues: “And now the cry of the Israelites has reached me, and I have seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them.”
Exodus 3:16 – 17, "Go, assemble the elders of Israel and say to them, 'The LORD, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob—appeared to me and said: I have watched over you and have seen what has been done to you in Egypt. 17 And I have promised to bring you up out of your misery in Egypt into the land of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites—a land flowing with milk and honey.'.”
That’s 4 times in a span of 19 verses. I think He really wants to make sure we get this. When we are suffering, He hears our cries. When we are burdened, He is concerned. When we are enslaved, He has a plan.
As we continue through the book of Exodus, we will journey with God’s people through the wilderness. But God has promised Moses in Exodus 3:12 that He will be with him every step of the way. God’s promise is the same for all of his children. Through our suffering, He is with us.
James 1:2-4 reminds us to rejoice in our sufferings because trials produce perseverance which allows us to mature and perfect our faith. The book of Job taught us to fall to our knees in worship when we are suffering. But don’t forget, if you are suffering, it’s okay to cry out to God. God wants us to approach Him with our troubles and lay them at his feet. We are to trust in him and pour our hearts before Him, our refuge (Psalm 62:8). We are to come to Him and he will give us rest, ease our troubles and refresh our souls (Matthew 11:28). He always hears our cries, He always is concerned, and He always has a plan – a plan that works for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28). God has whatever it is that we need when we are oppressed or enslaved. He can take care of our burdens and pains. Cry out to Him. He will meet you with love, grace, mercy, forgiveness, hope, peace, comfort, rest, healing and love.
Take a minute to reflect on your suffering. Don’t push it down deep and put on a happy face. Don’t minimize your suffering by comparing it with someone else’s suffering. Just reflect on your own burdens and cry out to Jesus. Is it an addiction that causes you to suffer? A husband that doesn’t show love for you? A loss of a loved one? Maybe loneliness? A longing for children or a husband? A sin that plants shame and disgust in your heart. Unemployment? Or you have a career but it’s not fulfilling? Betrayal by a loved one? Financial burdens? Whatever you struggle with, cry out to Jesus. Ask him to meet you in your suffering with his love, grace, mercy, forgiveness, hope, peace, comfort, rest, healing and love.
There are so many truths in these first three chapters of Exodus. Feel free to click on the link at the bottom of the page to leave comments on the blog and share your insights. In the meantime, I leave you with the music of Third Day – Cry out to Jesus…
Todays post submitted by Kelly Coxe
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRN_ApWyb94
As we move in to Exodus, we continue to see the story of God’ people in Egypt. With a new Pharaoh in charge, they went from being respected and honored to oppressed and enslaved. The Hebrew descendants living in Egypt were strong and numerous, and this worried the new Pharaoh, so he decided to oppress and enslave them. But God’s people cried out. They cried out and He heard their cry. The Hebrew people did not realize that God was already at work. His amazing providence brought forth a leader in Moses who God would use to deliver them from oppression.
In this passage of Exodus, God reminds us that He hears the cry of his people, that he is concerned and that he will deliver them from their suffering. Look at these four verses:
Exodus 2:24, “God heard their groaning and he remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac and with Jacob.”
Exodus 3:7, “The LORD said, ‘I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering’.”
Exodus 3:9, God continues: “And now the cry of the Israelites has reached me, and I have seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them.”
Exodus 3:16 – 17, "Go, assemble the elders of Israel and say to them, 'The LORD, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob—appeared to me and said: I have watched over you and have seen what has been done to you in Egypt. 17 And I have promised to bring you up out of your misery in Egypt into the land of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites—a land flowing with milk and honey.'.”
That’s 4 times in a span of 19 verses. I think He really wants to make sure we get this. When we are suffering, He hears our cries. When we are burdened, He is concerned. When we are enslaved, He has a plan.
As we continue through the book of Exodus, we will journey with God’s people through the wilderness. But God has promised Moses in Exodus 3:12 that He will be with him every step of the way. God’s promise is the same for all of his children. Through our suffering, He is with us.
James 1:2-4 reminds us to rejoice in our sufferings because trials produce perseverance which allows us to mature and perfect our faith. The book of Job taught us to fall to our knees in worship when we are suffering. But don’t forget, if you are suffering, it’s okay to cry out to God. God wants us to approach Him with our troubles and lay them at his feet. We are to trust in him and pour our hearts before Him, our refuge (Psalm 62:8). We are to come to Him and he will give us rest, ease our troubles and refresh our souls (Matthew 11:28). He always hears our cries, He always is concerned, and He always has a plan – a plan that works for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28). God has whatever it is that we need when we are oppressed or enslaved. He can take care of our burdens and pains. Cry out to Him. He will meet you with love, grace, mercy, forgiveness, hope, peace, comfort, rest, healing and love.
Take a minute to reflect on your suffering. Don’t push it down deep and put on a happy face. Don’t minimize your suffering by comparing it with someone else’s suffering. Just reflect on your own burdens and cry out to Jesus. Is it an addiction that causes you to suffer? A husband that doesn’t show love for you? A loss of a loved one? Maybe loneliness? A longing for children or a husband? A sin that plants shame and disgust in your heart. Unemployment? Or you have a career but it’s not fulfilling? Betrayal by a loved one? Financial burdens? Whatever you struggle with, cry out to Jesus. Ask him to meet you in your suffering with his love, grace, mercy, forgiveness, hope, peace, comfort, rest, healing and love.
There are so many truths in these first three chapters of Exodus. Feel free to click on the link at the bottom of the page to leave comments on the blog and share your insights. In the meantime, I leave you with the music of Third Day – Cry out to Jesus…
Todays post submitted by Kelly Coxe
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRN_ApWyb94
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