PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Exodus 31-33
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“The Lord relented and did not bring on his people the disaster he had threatened.” (Exodus 32:14)
These chapters show the challenge of God working with sinful humans.
The authors tell these stories to stress how frustrating we can be for God.
God is right to hate sin, because sin is a disaster, hurting us and others.
Love, joy, peace, etc. are all lost when we indulge in sinful, selfish acts.
If God were human, He would have given up on us (how patient am I with frustrating people?).
The bottom line of these stories: God does not give up on frustrating sinners!
He does not treat us as our sins deserve, and He does show compassion and mercy!
The word ‘relent’ in Exodus 32:14 is the same as the word for ‘repent’.
It means to change one’s mind, to not do what one was originally planning to do.
Sin leads to the ‘disaster’ of separation from God, suffering and ultimately death.
But though this is what God predicted (Genesis 2:17), He relents, and finds another way.
Instead of “you will certainly die” (Genesis 2:17), God accepts death for us in Jesus.
God sticks with frustrating sinners, and finds a way to rescue us from sin’s disaster.
Knowing my own stubborn, frustrating character, I am thankful God is still with me!
PRAYER
Lord, by Your compassion and mercy I may still walk with You, and relate to You face to face… despite my stubborn, frustrating character. Thank You!
WYSIWYG – what you see is what you get. In early days of word processing with programs like WordStar – what you saw on screen is not what it would look like on paper: font choices, bolding or italics, formatting were all codes you put into the document that you sent to the printer for printing. It seems that the Israelites wanted a ‘god’ they could see -even though they had visible indicators of God’s presence and a beautiful tabernacle – yet they needed a focus for their worship – an image. Even Moses appealed for God to reveal himself. Even today many ask for something visible – a miracle – some manifestation confirming God’s presence. When Jesus was real – WYSIWYG – and lived among us, and people saw the miracles – yet many did not believe. Really God was looking for faith – and that frustrated Him totally- but He did not give up on saving a remnant of people. We need ‘eyes of faith’ to see our God in creation and recognize the work of His Spirit within us – we don’t need any other forms. They must not distract our worship.
Moses found favour in the Lord’s eyes and His presence showed him where to travel. God’s presence went with Moses.
I need that presence each and every day. Thank You Lord for Your Spirit to lead and guide me in my journey of joy since the joy of the Lord God is my strength. Help me daily to live for Jesus – to be distinct as a child of the King.
I need Thee every hour,
Most gracious Lord;
No tender voice like Thine
Can peace afford.
I need Thee, oh, I need Thee;
Every hour I need Thee;
Oh, bless me now, my Savior!
I come to Thee.
2
I need Thee every hour,
Stay Thou near by;
Temptations lose their power
When Thou art nigh.
3
I need Thee every hour,
In joy or pain;
Come quickly and abide,
Or life is vain.
4
I need Thee every hour,
Teach me Thy will;
And Thy rich promises
In me fulfill.
5
I need Thee every hour,
Most Holy One;
Oh, make me Thine indeed,
Thou blessed Son.