Exodus 16:13-21 gives us the heart of a specific episode in the life of the Israelites as they are walking through the desert that can offer a fine and right principle for us as Christians. In it, we see that the Israelites, hungry and sick of walking through the wilderness, are grumbling at God. God hears their grumbling and responds by offering a daily meal of quail and manna, the bread from heaven.
The one stipulation is that the Israelites may not save up any manna for the next day; each day has its own manna. Of course, the Israelites, as they are want to do, disobey the Lord's request and collect enough manna for the next day. However, when the Israelites go to the manna the next day they find it full of worms, completely spoiled.
The point is that the people of God were to rely solely on the grace of God for their sustenance everyday. Every single day was an exercise in relying upon the promises of God. This is the principle for Christians that we need to get.
God desires us to rest upon His promises daily. Every day must begin and end and survive with the assured reality that we are seeking after God, trusting Him that He will provide for every need just as He has promised to provide it for us. This is a perspective, to be sure, but it is also a daily exercise in faith.
After all, we can't live off yesterday's manna!
Showing posts with label Exodus. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Exodus. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
Exodus 20:1-3–No Other god(s)
Exodus 20:1-3–"And God said all these things, saying, 'I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me.'"
There is so much here but I intend to keep it brief tonight.
This is God speaking to the people of Israel just after He has pulled them out of Egypt through the Red Sea with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. And yet even now, when they have seen and experienced the very real and active power of God, the people turn to a golden calf in worship. It is truly remarkable how easily the people of God will turn away from Him to worship something that is less worthy. This is why it is such a profound moment in history, such a distinct context for God to call His people out directly and to challenge them to live lives of utter and total commitment to Him and Him alone.
Similarly, this is God's call to us. We have been pulled out and saved from the bondage of slavery to sin. But even under these circumstances of salvation, we are prone to turning to idols instead of continually and fervently worship Him alone. He sits on the throne of our lives. This is how it needs to remain at all times. Let us strive to keep this focus among us!
There is so much here but I intend to keep it brief tonight.
This is God speaking to the people of Israel just after He has pulled them out of Egypt through the Red Sea with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. And yet even now, when they have seen and experienced the very real and active power of God, the people turn to a golden calf in worship. It is truly remarkable how easily the people of God will turn away from Him to worship something that is less worthy. This is why it is such a profound moment in history, such a distinct context for God to call His people out directly and to challenge them to live lives of utter and total commitment to Him and Him alone.
Similarly, this is God's call to us. We have been pulled out and saved from the bondage of slavery to sin. But even under these circumstances of salvation, we are prone to turning to idols instead of continually and fervently worship Him alone. He sits on the throne of our lives. This is how it needs to remain at all times. Let us strive to keep this focus among us!
Sunday, May 12, 2013
Exodus 20:12: Honor Your Father & Mother
Exodus 20:12: "Honor your father and mother, so that you may live long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you."
It is said that this is "the first commandment with a promise." (Ephesians 6:2-3). And it is a good and right commandment for us to follow. But to honor your parents, I mean, what if your parents are, shall we say, unhonorable? Perhaps this is when this commandment is truly put to the test. For it is one thing to give honor to those who by their virtue and goodness warrant honor, while it is an altogether other thing to give honor to those who are despicable or disgraceful.
But is this not the very value and depth of this commandment? To honor your father and mother inspite of their status or stature. Then we will truly be honoring others as God has honored us, that inspite of how despicable we are He has so shown us honor as to die on our behalf as a propitiation for our sins. Thus when we honor our father and mother, we are imaging God as He has made us in His image. Let us then take heed to commit to honor our fathers and mothers not just because it is right to do so but also in order that we may bear witness of God and His glory.
It is said that this is "the first commandment with a promise." (Ephesians 6:2-3). And it is a good and right commandment for us to follow. But to honor your parents, I mean, what if your parents are, shall we say, unhonorable? Perhaps this is when this commandment is truly put to the test. For it is one thing to give honor to those who by their virtue and goodness warrant honor, while it is an altogether other thing to give honor to those who are despicable or disgraceful.
But is this not the very value and depth of this commandment? To honor your father and mother inspite of their status or stature. Then we will truly be honoring others as God has honored us, that inspite of how despicable we are He has so shown us honor as to die on our behalf as a propitiation for our sins. Thus when we honor our father and mother, we are imaging God as He has made us in His image. Let us then take heed to commit to honor our fathers and mothers not just because it is right to do so but also in order that we may bear witness of God and His glory.
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