"Because I Am" January 31 Readings: Leviticus 16-19

Today's Reading - Leviticus 16-19

Background

As you read through the laws of Israel, some are common sense and some are strange to our ears. But they have two primary purposes. First, God's people are to come apart from the world and not to live as the world does. Paul said, in Romans 12:2, that we were not to be conformed to the world but transformed by Christ. Instead, we are to live holy lives, separated from the world to the service of God.

Devotional - Because I Am

“Speak to the entire Israelite community and tell them: Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy." Leviticus 19:2

This statement, repeated several times throughout the book, is the theme of Leviticus. It's not just about rules, but about holiness. It's not just about standards of sexual morality or honesty or laws for treating strangers or foreigners. It is about the holiness of God and what that demands of us. Because God is holy, we must live our lives a certain way. 

And it is about something even fundamentally deeper than that. Americans have adopted a self-directed principle for life. I live as I please. I do what I want. I decide what is best for me. Right and wrong is what I believe it to be. I am the center of my own universe. 

But the Bible allows for no such way of life. We do not exist on our own but were given life by God. We exist in the light of who he is. God's nature and character demand a response. I cannot simply live for myself, but I must realize that there is a God who rules over me, whose right it is to guide and direct me, who has the right to set the standards by which I will live. 

God's nature governs what is right and wrong for us. Why do we submit to God? Because God is the sovereign Ruler of the universe. His sovereignty requires our submission. Why are we to love one another? Because God is love and he has demonstrated his love powerfully and clearly through Christ. His love for us requires love from us. 

And why must we live our lives in holiness? Why must we reject the ways of the world and walk in obedience to God's ways? Because our God is holy. He is perfect and sinless, pure and righteous. Because he is who he is, we must live by different standards than the world around us. 

Be holy, because I am holy!  Everything we are, everything we do, everything we will become is rooted in who God is and what he has done for us in Christ.

Because God is, we no longer get to live our lives as we wish but must live in the light of who he is and what he has done for us. 

Father, help me to understand who you are so that I know who I am supposed to be. You are love, make me a man of love. You are sovereign, may I submit. And you are a holy God. May I live in and walk in the holiness you demand, which you provided for me in Christ. 

Think and Pray

Is your life shaped by the values and ways of the world, or by the holiness and character of God?

"Living Holy" January 30 Readings: Leviticus 12-15

Today's Reading - Leviticus 12-15

Background

Today's reading is truly a highlight! It deals with purification from childbirth, infectious skin diseases, mildew, and bodily discharges. Riveting, right?

The key in today's readings is the message behind the laws themselves. We are not obligated to sort these laws out and follow them explicitly - that is one of the blessings of the New Covenant. But we must understand the character of the God who gave these laws and live as he commands. We must learn the lessons of these laws.

Devotional - Living Holy

If you are following along in our readings, you will be aware that our Old Testament readings in Leviticus have been a little strange. We've had long lists of animals that could be eaten and those that could not. We have had extensive discourses on the identification and treatment of skin diseases and mildew. And, in today's reading, we are given detailed information on how to respond to certain bodily discharges.

By the grace of God, we no longer live under these kinds of Mosaic laws, but they are not without their purpose. There are eternal principles that lie behind the individual laws of God that may seem strange to us. We need to understand those eternal principles even as we live in the light of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

I'd like to look back over the last few chapters of Leviticus (starting in chapter 11 and continuing through today's readings) and make some key points that we ought to keep front and center in our minds and hearts.

1) God's law is for the good of God's people.

There are some laws that were given simply to recognize the right of God as Lord over all. Some laws were designed to address pagan religious practices (the commands about tattoos come to mind here). But many of the laws that God gave were for their protection and blessing, even though sometimes they did not see it. Remember in a recent reading when Jesus said that the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. We need time to worship God, yes, but we also need rest time.

Many of the dietary laws in chapter 11, and the laws about cleansing from skin diseases, mildew and bodily discharges had a very practical purpose - to help keep Israel healthy in addition to keeping them holy.

God's restrictions in our lives can seem harsh in our incomplete understanding, but we know that what God commands is, in reality, a great blessing.

2) God's people must live clean lives.

Among many peoples of the day, there did not exist the kind of standards that God gave Israel. They did not understand about germs and viruses and bacteria as we do today. So God called Israel to live by different standards. This is true in morality and in theology, but it is also true in such simple things as personal hygiene. The Israelites had to care about things no one else did. They were to keep themselves clean in ways the rest of the world did not understand or practice.

We understand now that this world has a lot of threats to our well-being, things that will make us sick if we allow them to invade our bodies.

We must understand that morally and spiritually this world, with its loyalty to the "god of this age" and its subservience to the Enemy's lies, is a cesspool of spiritual bacteria. We as Christians must be careful to live to please the Father, live to reflect the Son, live by the power of the Spirit, and live to avoid the spiritual sickness of this world.

This is not to advocate separation from sinners. God calls us to serve the lost as Jesus did. But we are called to love God and not this world.

3) God's people are holy to him.

The key principle behind all of these chapters is spelled out in Leviticus 11:44-47. "Be holy, because I am holy." God is set apart from this world. He created it, but he is also holy and perfect in his sovereignty over it. Those of us who are redeemed by Christ's death are called to live holy lives, as God is holy.

Defining holiness requires more space than I have here. But boiled to the bone, holiness is being set apart for the service of God. We belong to him, purchased by Jesus' blood. We are not of this world anymore and should not love it or serve it. We are born into an eternal family and should seek heavenly reward, should please the Father in heaven and live in devotion to him. Holiness is not living by a long list of rules, but it is living for the glory of God alone.

Leviticus 11-15 will never be a favorite text for preachers. But it ought to always be a reminder to us that holiness matters to God!

Father, may I be holy as you are holy.

Think and Pray

Do you walk in holiness, or is your life just like that of everyone in the world around you?
What is it about your life that is Christlike, that is different from the world?

"Acceptable Sacrifice" January 29 Readings: Leviticus 8-11

Today's Reading - Leviticus 8-11

Background

These chapters deal primarily with the role of the priest, setting a higher standard of morality and character for priests than for the average Israelite. But it is a mistake to see the word "priest" and think "preacher." Remember that the New Testament says that we are a kingdom of priests - all of us, clergy and laity alike. We have direct access to God and are responsible to bring others to him.

We, as the redeemed of Christ, are each and every one held to the higher priestly standard!

Devotional - Acceptable Sacrifice

The Law specified the intricate and complicated system of sacrifices. We've been reading through these over the last three days, and if you are honest, you might admit its not the most riveting reading the Bible offers. But it is important. God gave these sacrifices to Moses in great detail. Then God set apart the priests to administer the sacrifices, consecrated them and put them to work. Under the leadership of Aaron, they performed the offerings just as God dictated. These sacrifices and priestly procedures were God-ordained for God-designed purposes.

Then, in Leviticus 9:23-24 an amazing thing happened.

Moses and Aaron then entered the tent of meeting. When they came out, they blessed the people, and the glory of the Lordappeared to all the people. Fire came from the Lord and consumed the burnt offering and the fat portions on the altar. And when all the people saw it, they shouted and fell facedown.

Moses and Aaron, having offered the sacrifices God demanded, entered the tent of meeting to commune with God. They came out and delivered the blessing of God on obedient Israel. That is when it happened - two wonderful events. First, the glory of the Lord appeared to all the people. God's presence and power were evident - in a tangible way. God was present among his people. But the second happening was even more glorious. Fire came out of heaven and consumed the sacrifice. The people, having seen this, shouted and fell down to the ground before God. 

Fire came and consumed the offering! God had accepted the sacrifice made. 

I've got some good news for you today. There was another sacrifice made on your behalf - not by Aaronic priests but by God the Father and by our Great High Priest himself. Jesus offered not a bull or a goat, but his own body as a sacrifice for our sins. And just as the fire signified the acceptance of Aaron's sacrifice, we know that God accepted the sacrifice of Jesus as the payment for our sins - all of them!  

It is finished, Jesus said. Payment in full was made and fully accepted by God. 

My sin, O the bliss of this glorious tho't

My sin, not in part but the whole,

Is nailed to the Cross and I bear it no more,

Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord, O my soul. 

Jesus paid it all.

All to Him I owe. 

My sin left a crimson stain,

He washed it white as snow. 

Today, give thanks. Give thanks that sacrifice for your sins has been made - once for all. Give thanks that God has accepted the sacrifice Jesus made and you are accepted in heaven because of Christ. As I worship today, I will not have to offer a series of sacrifices, but simply thank God that once for all his Son offered himself to pay for all the sins of all the world. Praise God!

Thank you, Lord. Thank you for the Blood shed, for the forgiveness won, for the life received, for the future sealed, for the destiny settled. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. 

Think and Pray

Thank God today that the sacrifice Christ made for your sins was acceptable in the eyes of God. 

"A Costly Faith" January 28 Readings: Leviticus 1-7

Today's Reading -  Leviticus 1-7

Background

Can I give you a word of encouragement?

Leviticus is a tough book. Chapters chock full of details on sacrifices and others explaining things about infectious skin disease and mildew that none of us wants to think about. There are laws about sexual practices decent people don't discuss and a bunch of intricate instructions we don't understand.

Stick with it. Don't give up! It is God's word and there is truth to be learned. It is about holiness - God's people are different than the world around them and have to live by different rules.

On the other hand, I have blocked out some long sections and my recommendation would be to simply "skim" some of the more arcane and detailed parts. This might be a time to augment your reading with a Psalm or a quick chapter of Romans!

If you wish to do a little deeper reading on the sacrifices described in this passage, here is an online resource. Here is another (even has a chart).  Here is one that sorts out all the facts of the offerings, but doesn't deal with the Christ-symbolism as much.

Devotional - A Costly Faith

I read an interesting story about Dwight L. Moody, the great revivalist. Early in his Christian life, he was turned down for membership in a church because of his atrocious grammar. Of course, that is terrible - bad grammar is annoying but not ungodly!

But as I read that story I began to think how different things are today. We wouldn't turn down someone for bad grammar. We don't turn down people for living lives of open sin! The church has often become a sales organization which lowers its prices to close the deal. People shop for churches that give them the most blessings, generally giving little thought to how much they will give! The consumer mindset has overrun us.

But worship of God is not cheap. Any church that coddles people and makes it seem as if they can love God and live as Christians without cost is not speaking truth. Jesus told his disciples to count the cost and we cannot cheapen the faith!

The absorbing and riveting reading that is Leviticus 1-7 makes a key point. It costs something to come to God. Offerings have to be given. If you approach your relationship with God or your membership in the church with the attitude, "What can I get out of it?" your attitude is not pleasing to God. The Israelities had to bring offerings to God. They were poor but they still had to bring their animals and their grains and their oils as offerings and sacrifices to worship him!

Take heart, my friend. I am attaching no link today to an offering - though if you'd like...never mind. Yes, giving financially is part of true worship. But there are two key offerings every Christian must bring and if we don't, we are not worshiping God.

First, we come to God on the basis of the blood sacrifice of the Lamb of God. He offered himself to pay for our sin - eternally, infinitely, and completely. Hebrews tells us that the blood of bulls and goats could provide nothing more than a temporary protection, but once for all, Jesus hung on the Cross to pay for our sins.

Romans 12:1 tells us of another sacrifice that we must make - our spiritual act of worship. Paul is pulling on the picture of the Levitical sacrifices. This is sacrifice a man or woman of God must make as they worship him, he says. What is that sacrifice? You give God your body! You give yourself to him - body, soul, and spirit - for God's use. He transforms you by renewing your mind, conforms you to Christ, then uses you for his glory.

But please, realize that worship that costs you nothing is no worship at all.

Father, I thank you for the sacrifice your Son made that paid for my eternal soul. And I give myself to you as an act of worship, a spiritual "levitical" sacrifice for your glory and honor. 

Think and Pray

Have you accepted the sacrifice of Christ as the full payment of your sins? 

Have you given to him your body as a living sacrifice as your act of worship? 

"The Glory Fell" January 27 Readings: Exodus 36-40

Today's Reading - Exodus 36-40

Background

Again, this passage can be somewhat tedious to read. Essentially, it repeats the instructions of chapters 25-30 and says that Moses followed them carefully. That is key point. Do things as God says and then the blessing falls!

Devotional - The Glory Fell

Glory!

It was a startling and wonderful moment, as the glory of God came down and so filled the tabernacle that Moses had completed that he could not even enter the tent. Imagine that, will you? The presence of God was so strong, the power of God so real, so palpable, that God's servant could not even go into the designated place of worship.

Wouldn't that be something?

We hear a lot today about revival. At its root, revival is simply the restoration of the glory of God among the people of God. When the Scriptures speak of glory, they mean the manifest presence of God. God is always here, always everywhere. But sometimes he makes himself known in such a way that his presence is unmistakable. It may be a fiery sense of conviction, or an overwhelming sense of joy, or a burden for ministry, or a deep personal or corporate prayer time, or a moment when the Word of God just comes alive in an unusual way, or perhaps one of those blessed and all too rare moments in a worship service at church when there is an unusual sense of God's presence. Glory. The manifest presence of God.

There have been few times in history when the presence of God came down, when the glory of God was displayed in the same way as it was in Exodus 40:34-35.

The cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. Moses was unable to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud rested on it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.

But this did not happen in a vacuum. Revival, a mighty moving of God's Spirit that restores a people and changes a culture is a sovereign work of God that has happened all too rarely in history. But there are things that God's people can do to cultivate the nearness of God, the presence of God in their lives. The key is found in the verses that precede the one we just read, six words that appear repeatedly in the two chapters we read today. Look at Exodus 39:1, 5, 7, 21 26, 29, 31, 43, 40:16, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, and verse 32. One more key is added in verse 33.

What are the six words that are repeated time and again in these verses? You've already figured it out, haven't you?

"...just as the Lord had commanded Moses." 

Obedience. Moses did what God said. God gave him specific, detailed, and complete instructions on how to build the tabernacle, and Moses did things exactly, precisely and fully as God commanded. He didn't get creative or innovative. He didn't "do what he thought was best." He simply did what God told him to do. He obeyed God and the glory of God filled what he built.

That is the second key, the one mentioned in verse 33. "So Moses finished the work." He did what God told him to do and he left nothing undone. Obedience and perseverance in the work God gave are the keys to the blessing of God.

We may never experience the kind of dramatic glory that Moses and the Israelites did - perhaps we ought not even seek that. But we can seek the blessing of God on our lives daily and his active, powerful presence and we walk in obedience and as we persevere through hard times.

Father, help me to walk in obedience to you and to persevere in your ways even when things are tough. What I need, what we need at Southern Hills, what we all need, is your presence and power to rise up among us. Exalt yourself, O God! 

Think and Pray

Are you careful in your obedience to Christ? 

Moses did things "just as God commanded." Do you? 

"More Faithful that Our Failure" January 26 Readings: Exodus 31-35

Today's Reading - Exodus 31-35

Background

The key story in today's reading is the Golden Calf saga. Moses is on the mountain receiving the law of God and Aaron is cowed by the people to build an idolatrous image and worship it. Moses returned and broke the tablets to represent that the people broke God's law. God dealt with them, then sent Moses back up the mountain to start again.

Devotional - More Faithful than Our Failure

There are ignorant people who claim that the God of the Old Testament was mean, harsh and cruel, and they contrast him to the God of love revealed in the New Testament. Such nonsense. Yes, the God of the OT is holy, giving his law and expecting his people to obey it. He punishes evildoers and protects his people from their enemies. All of that is true. But to overlook his love and kindness is willful folly. 

You need look no farther than Exodus 34 to settle the issue of God's love and mercy. Eight words in that passage tell us all we need to know. about the God's nature. 

It is crucial that we remember what was going on leading up to Exodus 34. Israel had insulted God in the worst way - by turning to the worship of an idol while Moses was on the mountain receiving God's law. As Moses came down from the mountain and saw the offensive worship, he broke the tablets signifying that Israel had broken God's Law. And God was upset by their sin, make no mistake about it. 

But look at verse 1 and see what God said to Moses. 

"Cut two stone tablets like the first ones."

God does not give up on people when they fail. He may discipline his children and that discipline might be harsh, but he never leaves and he never forsakes. His gifts and call are irrevocable. The One who begins the good work will carry it on to completion. 

When Israel failed, God did not give up on them. He did not throw them away. He did not run out on them. He did not find another people to love. He did not pour out his wrath on them to destroy them. No, he did not. He renewed his covenant and gave his people another chance to get it right. 

I can remember one time when I was repenting of the same sin for about the 3 millionth time, I thought, "God, you must be ready to give up on me." That is human thinking; stupid thinking! God does not give up on his children. Throughout Israel's history, they were consistently disobedient and unfaithful to him. But in spite of all that, God was consistently faithful and merciful to his chosen nation. 

Now, isn't that good news? You messed up yesterday and the day before. The day before that, too. Oh, our sin is nothing to take lightly. It is offensive and must be resisted, and it often carries consequences with it. Grace ought never be an excuse for careless, unholy living. But we can be confident that God is faithful. He was in the Old Testament to Israel. He was in the New Testament to the church. And he is today in our lives. Confess. Repent. Seek renewal in Christ and walk in the power of the Spirit!

When you mess up, God's faithfulness overwhelms your sin. He wears you down with his grace as the process of sanctification continues, and he slowly transforms you to be like Christ. When you fail him, he says to you, 

Cut two stone tablets and let's try this again!

Father, I do not want to be unfaithful to you; not for a day, not for a minute. But I have been and you know that. And I will be, and you know that. I hate my sinful waywardness. But I rejoice that I am secure not in my own righteousness but in yours. I revel in your faithfulness and rely on your grace and mercy daily. 

Think and Pray

Do you obsess about your failures and sins? 

Do you sometimes think that God must have given up on you? 

Remember that God, who does discipline his children, also loves them unconditionally and restores them. He never gives up on us!

"The Holy of Holies" January 25 Readings: Exodus 25-30

Today's Reading - Exodus 25-30

I will be honest with you - readings such as today's are what make "through the Bible" readings tough. This is a specification list for the Tabernacle, and while there is great symbolism of Christ in almost every detail, it is not riveting reading.

Background

The Tabernacle, ordered here by God to Moses, was no simple sanctuary. It was the dwelling of God, fraught with symbolism. I will include some diagrams and drawings to help you picture what you are reading. 

The Tabernacle was a two-room tent (about 45x15 feet) surrounded by a walled courtyard. The courtyard had an altar for sacrifices and a laver for the washing of hands. In the larger room (the Holy Place - 30x15) there were three articles of furniture - a table on which bread was placed, a candlestick (think large menorah), and an altar for incense. A curtain separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place (Holy of Holies) where the presence of God dwelt. In that room was the Ark of the Covenant, which had inside it the tablets of the Ten Commandments, a jar of manna, and Aaron's rod that budded.

There are many articles that explain in full detail the symbolism of the Tabernacle. Here is one that is very detailed. Here is another.

Devotional - The Holy of Holies

"I have a special relationship with God."

I've heard people say that before, in one form or another. It usually boils down to something both simple and sinister - the person lives their life as they see fit and God comes running when they have a need. God doesn't interfere with their lives until they need him to bail them out of trouble.

When a Jewish person wanted to worship, he went to the Tabernacle, and later to the Temple. There were a prescribed place and prescribed ways. As one friend said once, "You can't just waltz into the presence of God." God is holy and must be approached with awe and obedience.

There was only one door into the Tabernacle, as there is only one way to God. Jesus said, "I am the Way." No one can come to the Father except through him. Immediately upon entering through the gate one would be confronted by a large altar. "Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness." We cannot come to God unless the sins that separate us from him are atoned for by blood. That altar reminds us of the Lamb of God who would take away the sins of the world. After sacrifice was made, there was a laver, a bowl of water for cleansing. Not only must our sins be atoned for, but Christ works to purify us from our sins. We are forgiven to walk under the Lordship of Jesus in holiness!

Entering into the Holy Place we find a table of bread, a candlestick, and an altar of incense - each a clear symbol of Jesus. We come to God through Jesus and only through him. He is the Bread of life, the one who sustains us and gives us life. He is the Light of the World, who shows us the way to God. And incense represents prayer. He is the incense that carries our prayers to heaven. It is in the name of Jesus that we can go boldly before the throne of grace.

The path to the presence of God was blocked by a thick curtain. Only a priest with the blood of the sacrifice could go in to the "Mercy Seat" where the Shekinah glory of God dwelled. Jesus did more than just enter the Holy of Holies with his blood - he tore the curtain down! The blood of Christ opened the way for us to enter God's presence and be made righteous before him.

Of course, in Exodus, only the priests and Levites could enter the Tabernacle. But Jesus made us a kingdom of priests, opening up direct access to the Father for each of us. Glory, hallelujah! We need not confess to clergy or receive their blessings. We have direct access to God through Jesus Christ!

There is so much more symbolism than I can go over in a brief devotional (it would take a sermon series). But the point is that if you want to come to God, you come God's way - through Jesus. You don't waltz into his throne room any old way you please. You come to God in humility, pleading the blood of Christ, and you are received because of him!

God does not adjust himself to our ideas or simply open heaven and say, "Come as you are." Yes, Jesus demonstrated God's love by dying for sinners, but those sinners must come to God in God's way, by the blood!

God is gracious, loving, merciful - yes, and amen. But that doesn't mean he is a pushover!

Father, I thank you that in Christ you made a way for me, a sinner, to enter your presence through the sacrifice he made at the Cross. Cleanse me and draw me close to you. 

Think and Pray

Do you accept the way of God or do you seek to make God accept your ways? 

Take time to consider the symbolism of the Tabernacle and to thank Jesus for his work of grace!

"Separated" January 24 Readings: Exodus 19-24

Today's Reading - Exodus 19-24

Background

The Ten Commandments, the basis of God's law. In reality, there are only two laws. Love God with all your heart and love your neighbor as yourself. The first four commandments explain how to love and honor God and the last 6 are about honoring our neighbors as ourselves. The rest of the laws of the Old Testament are designed to expand on the Ten laws which expand on the two.

The laws we read in chapters 21-24 have several key purposes, beside expanding and illuminating the Ten.

• They call on Israel to eschew idolatry in all forms and to worship and serve God faithfully. 
• They require personal responsibility. If you break it, fix it. If you take it, give it back. 
• They require justice and mercy. Treat people honestly, fairly, and with compassion. Don't oppress people to get rich. 
• They require sexual and moral purity. 

There are no doubt strange laws that we have trouble understanding. They can seem harsh in some areas. but many of them are common sense and come out of God's desire that people be treated justly and that purity, decency, and fidelity dominate Israel's culture.

Devotional - Separated 

So often, when we consider what Christ does for us, we think small. Last week I was stressed out and God helped me. God gave me something I needed; he answered a prayer. All of those are great blessings and we ought to take time to say thank you for those things. 

But it is also helpful if we remember the biggest of the big thing that God has done for us. In Exodus 24:1-2, we come face to face with one of the great works of God; one of those big things that God has done for us. We see that even though God was at work within Israel there was distance caused by their sin. Aaron, Nadab, Abihu and seventy elders were allowed to come and worship God, but only from afar. Moses and he alone was allowed to draw near to the Lord. The people were kept away, not able to enter God's presence. 

Then he said to Moses, “Come up to the Lord, you and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel, and worship from afar. Moses alone shall come near to the Lord, but the others shall not come near, and the people shall not come up with him.”

Moses was invited into the awesome presence of God, but everyone else was excluded - he was to go alone. God worked in Israel through a mediator. He spoke to Moses, then Moses spoke to the people. 

That is what sin does; it builds walls that separate us from God. Adam and Eve were created to live in intimate fellowship with God but they left that behind to embrace their sin. Distance from God became the natural human condition. Even when God was drawing near to Israel that distance remained. Moses was accepted into the presence of God while the Israelites were left cowering at the foot of the mountain. He went to God on their behalf and brought God's word back to them. 

Many years later another mediator came between God and man. He did not ascend a hill to receive the law, but he ascended a cross to pay the price for our sins. By that act of sacrifice, Jesus broke down the dividing wall and brought back into the relationship with God that was lost by sin. 

Now, because of Jesus, the cause of the estrangement is gone and no one needs to be separated from God. The redeemed are reconciled to God and can approach the throne of grace with boldness, confident that we are accepted in Christ. Our sin, which caused the separation, has been paid for and forgiven and its ability to enslave and isolate has been nullified. 

Take a moment and imagine you are an average Israelite in that day. You stand in a crowd at the bottom of the hill while Moses and the other leaders disappear into the presence of God - a place you are prevented from going. How awful to be excluded from the presence of God. Now, come back to the present day and be glad that there is no wall, no separation from God. Jesus Christ has reconciled us to God and we are welcome in the presence of God. The wall is down and heaven is open to the redeemed. 

Father, thank you for giving your Son for my sins so that I might be reconciled to you. I rejoice that Jesus was my mediator and has brought me to you. I come to you humbly, knowing that it is not by my righteousness or my works that I may come. But I also come before you in confidence, knowing that Christ paved the way and I may approach you in his name. 

Think and Pray

Reflect on this truth - that you were separated from God and excluded from his presence, but Christ was your mediator who reconciled you to God.
Think through the Commandments and see how your life matches up. They are not a means of salvation, but they do reveal what God considers important.

"Winning the War" January 23 Readings: Exodus 13-18

Today's Reading - Exodus 13-18

Background

There are three parts to today's reading. First, we see the actual Exodus, God's saving act of grace to Israel when he took them out of Egypt by his grace through the Sea and eventually to the Promised Land. Then, we see Moses' song of praise in chapter 15 after the horse and rider were thrown into the sea. Our God is a warrior who defeats his enemies and ours to accomplish his work in us. The third section is a study of human nature. Israel saw the greatness of God's love and grace, but when they had a need they complained and groused instead of trusting in him. They needed water - they complained he provided. They needed food - they complained, he provided. They wanted meat - they complained, he provided. An enemy attacked - he provided.

In chapter 18, God gives Moses a lesson in leadership. He was overwhelmed and overworked and his father-in-law Jethro told him to delegate, to get other leaders to help him.

Devotional - Winning the War

So, who was responsible for the victory Israel won against the Amalekites in Exodus 17:8-16? 

The "Wilderness Gazette" the next day carried banner headlines trumpeting the military prowess Joshua displayed as he led the out-manned Hebrews against their superior foe. Joshua picked up a sword and went into battle and he prevailed.

But there is more to the story than that. We know from the Bible that Moses was up on the mountain with Aaron and Hur overlooking the battle taking place below. He raised his arms to heaven, seeking the power of God to be displayed. And as long as his arms were extended on the mountain, the Israelites were winning down below. Moses sought God and Israel prevailed. 

But Moses could not do it alone. His arms grew tired as he reached out to heaven and gradually they began to fall. When his arms came down the tide of battle turned - suddenly the Amalekites were winning. But Moses had help. Aaron and Hur joined in and raised his arms back to heaven. Suddenly, the victory lost became a battle won. 

Joshua went into battle and won. Moses sought God so that Joshua could go into battle and win. Aaron and Hur supported Moses so that he could seek God and Joshua could win. 

So, who won the battle? Was it Joshua, or Moses or Moses' helpers Aaron and Hur? Yes. Yes to all. The battle would not have been won without Joshua, or Moses, or Aaron and Hur. 

The battles we have to face require a three-pronged strategy. First, like Moses, we must seek God and depend on him. Whatever we are that is good comes as a result of the work of God in us, the work of Christ for us. Victory comes from God. But none of us is a Lone Ranger. We need love and support, encouragement and edification. We need Aaron and Hur to hold up our arms as we seek God. Christianity is a group activity (it's called "church"). We must seek God and his power, and we need the help and support of other believers. God empowers us to engage the enemy (the world, the flesh, and the devil), but we must take those weapons he provides and walk into the fray.

Just as Israel's victory over the Amalekites involved Joshua doing battle, Moses seeking God, and Moses' friends lifting him up when his strength lagged, our success in battle against the forces of darkness requires dependence on the power of God, it requires the support of the Body of Christ and it requires us to actually go out into battle and engage the foe.

Lord, I live in an evil world and my own flesh betrays me. I seek you and depend on you for the strength to soldier on. I thank you for the help of my friends and church family who encourage me in the battle. Thank you that in the fiercest battle, I will prevail when I depend on you. 

Think and Pray

We all need to be involved at each of these levels.
We need to be warriors in prayer.
We need to support others who pray.
We need to be in the battle.
Are you involved in all of these?

"The Cross and the Passover" January 22 Readings: Exodus 9-12

Today's Reading - Exodus 9-12

Background

The plagues escalate throughout these readings until the climactic moment when the tenth and greatest one approaches, as the Death Angel passes through Egypt. The Passover is heavy in the symbolism of the death of Christ.

If you ever watch TV shows about the Exodus, they try to give natural explanations for the plagues. A volcano dropped ash in the Nile that turned it red, driving the frogs out. They died, drawing flies and causing disease, etc. Those of us who believe in a sovereign God need no such crutches. We believe in a God who can turn the Nile to blood and bring supernatural plagues to display his power.

Devotional - The Cross and the Passover 

There are few places where foreshadowings of the work of Christ are clearly seen than in the Passover in Exodus 11 and 12. There is so much in the story of the death angel passing over that directly prophecies Jesus' Passion - his death, burial and resurrection and their effect on us. Today, I am simply going to list some of those truths. 

1. 11:1 The last and the greatest of the plagues was death. The greatest enemy we face is death, both physical death, and spiritual/eternal death. Not only does physical death destroy life, separate families and end hope, but it is symbolic of spiritual death with ends life and hope for all eternity. Death is the greatest plague on all humanity. 
2. 11:4-5 Death affects all people, high to low, rich and poor, regardless of wealth, talent or other human issues. It is appointed to each of us to die once. All of us are under the same sentence of death. No one can escape it. 
3. 11-12 God has made a way of salvation for us. The distinction between those who live and those who die is whether they follow the way of salvation God gives. 
4. 11:9 God displayed his wonders in Egypt through the salvation of Israel while he poured out judgment on Egypt. Nowhere are God's glory and power more fully displayed than in the salvation of the lost by his love and power. 
5. 12:1 Israel's calendar was to begin at the Passover. Life only really begins when Jesus Christ redeems us from our sins. Death is the last plague. The Passover is the beginning of life. 
6. 12:1-7 A blood sacrifice was required to shield the Israelites from death. Jesus died as our Passover Lamb, bearing our sins and dying in our place. There is no salvation, no forgiveness outside of the blood of Christ, our eternal sacrifice. 
7. 12:5 The sacrifice must be unblemished. Only the sinless Son of God was able to atone for our sins since he had none of his own to die for. 
8. 12:7 The blood must be applied to the house to be effective. It was not enough that the sacrifice was made, the blood must be applied. Yes, Christ died for our sins, but that blood must be applied when, by repentance and faith, we come to Christ for salvation. It is not enough that Christ died for all. It is not even enough to believe that Christ died for you. I must repent and believe in Jesus that the blood might be applied to my "house." 
9. 12:10 The Israelites were to consume all of the sacrifice; no leftovers. We receive Christ as Lord of all. Jesus is not to be a part of our lives, but to be life itself! We cannot take a little of Christ or a part of him. We receive all of him!
10. 12:13 The distinguishing mark between those who would die and those who would live is the blood on the doorposts. We are not better than others - self-righteousness has no place among the saved. We are different only because of the Blood applied to our lives!
11. 12:14-16 The Passover was to be continually and faithfully memorialized among God's people. We ought to continually celebrate what Jesus has done for us by his death, burial, and resurrection. Glory to God for his Son our Savior!
12. The blood WORKED. There is no record of a single death among Israel. Those who are covered by the blood live. We can rejoice that Jesus saves, he transforms and he never casts us away. Those of us covered by the Blood of Christ live!

There are so many points that could be made. These are just some highlights.

We praise you, our Father, that you were willing to give your Son as the sacrifice for our sins; that you were willing to apply his blood to us so that the death angel might pass over us and we might live; that you have given us a path of salvation to free us from what our sins deserve. You are worthy to receive all praise!

Think and Pray

Take time today to consider the Passover and how it symbolizes the death of Christ for your sins.
Can you see other comparisons?
Remember and praise God for your redemption in Christ!

"When It All Goes South" January 21 Readings: Exodus 5-8

Today's Reading - Exodus 5-8

Background

When  you do the right thing and serve God, everything will work out fine, right?

If you believe that you haven't read today's reading. Moses finally gave in and went to Egypt in obedience to God, confronting Pharoah - that's when Murphy's Law took over. Anything that could go wrong did go wrong. Pharaoh did not accept Moses' terms and heaped a greater burden on Israel. Now they had to make their full quota of bricks, but gather their own straw. They turned on Moses pretty fast.

Moses showed the secret to success - he just kept going. He went back to Pharaoh again and again. The plagues began and Pharoah yielded then changed his mind again and again. Moses was dogged in his obedience until God finally fulfilled his promise.

Devotional - When It All Goes South

What we do when things don't work out makes all the difference in the world.

In Exodus 7, Moses demonstrated the secret to significance in the Kingdom of God. He had been sent down to Egypt to confront Pharaoh and demand the release of the Hebrew people. And that is exactly what he did. He marched into Pharaoh's presence and delivered the message of God.

But things did not work out as Moses had expected. Pharaoh did not yield to God's authority and issue an immediate release to the Israelites. No, he was infuriated by Moses' hubris and issued a decree to make the Hebrews work harder than it had been.

Moses was quickly the most hated man in Goshen.

But what he did next made all the difference. He persevered. He continued to obey God even when it was hard. God had called him to free Israel and he would not give up on God's purposes. He was discouraged, frustrated and angry - mostly at God. But he turned to God and received encouragement.

Perseverance is the key to Kingdom success. We seem to believe that the Christian life ought to be easy and simple, that no opposition or difficulty should arise. Nothing could be further from the biblical truth. God's work is always hard. It is always opposed. It is always perilous. But the man or woman of God who wishes to do great things in God's kingdom must continue in spite of the hardships.

Moses went to Pharaoh with this promise from God.

Now you are going to see what I will do to Pharaoh: he will let them go because of My strong hand; he will drive them out of his land because of My strong hand. Exodus 6:1

Today, the work of God goes forward. It is going to be hard and you can count on the opposition of Satan and the sinful world. They will not give up ground easily. But God is still  on the throne and has promised to those endeavoring to obey the great task he has given us, "I will be with you always." The only hope of success in a task as big as ours is that we would persevere through every hardship and struggle until God's displays his power.

Lord, may we persevere through every hardship and trial, as Moses did, until you accomplish your work in us and display your power to us. 

Think and Pray

Do you have the false idea that serving God should be a guarantee that everything will go well in your life?
Do you get discouraged and give up when hard times come?
Remember that a) resistance and hard times are part of serving God and that b) persistence and perseverance and the keys to success in serving God.

"Get Someone Else" January 20 Readings: Exodus 1-4

Today's Reading - Exodus 1-4

Background

We enter the book of Exodus, perhaps the most dramatic book of the Bible. As the Cross is the focus of our salvation experience, the Red Sea was Israel's. Over and over again, God would remind Israel of his love and faithfulness demonstrated to Moses and the people as he led them out of Egypt, through the Sea on dry ground and eventually to the Promised Land.

In these first four chapters, we meet Moses, born under oppression as a Jewish slave. He is hidden by his mother and adopted in a miraculous way by the daughter of Pharaoh. Lucky, right? God worked it so that a Hebrew slave grew up as a grandson of Pharaoh! But he tried to take matters into his own hand and killed a soldier, forcing him to flee to Midian, where he spent 40 years tending sheep and learning humility.

That is when he encountered God in a burning bush.

Devotional - Get Someone Else

Moses saw something that no one in the history of humanity has seen - a bush that was engulfed in fire but was not being consumed. It was the presence of God and Moses knew it, taking off his shoes as God demanded and hiding his face in a fearful awe. Then, God spoke to him out of the fire.

Then the Lord said, “I have observed the misery of my people in Egypt, and have heard them crying out because of their oppressors. I know about their sufferings, 8 and I have come down to rescue them from the power of the Egyptians and to bring them from that land to a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey—the territory of the Canaanites, Hethites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites. 9 So because the Israelites’ cry for help has come to me, and I have also seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them." (Exodus 3:7-9) 

He could not have been happier as he heard the Lord himself reveal his purposes. He had heard the cries of the suffering of his people Israel and was moved by them. The rescue of the people of God was imminent - they would be freed from slavery in Israel and taken the Promised Land that was God's gift to them.

What great new! Moses cared about his people, even if he had messed things up completely 40 years earlier as he had tried to do something about it. It is likely that during the forty years of shepherding in Midian he carried a great burden of failure and guilt over his botched attempt at being a deliverer. Now, God was telling him that the time had come and Israel would be delivered.

Moses was thrilled with God's purpose, but he was not so happy about God's personal call on his life. God's speech continued in verse 10.

Therefore, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh so that you may lead My people, the Israelites, out of Egypt.

Suddenly, everything got real.

It was great that God was going to deliver Israel from its slavery, but the part God wanted him to play in the deliverance was most definitely not good. Moses spent the rest of chapter 3 and all of chapter 4 giving God one excuse after the other why he was not the right man for the job, why God should choose someone else. But God was undeterred and finally, Moses acquiesced and agreed to do the job that God had set before him.

The problem was simple. Moses was thrilled with what God was doing but was not thrilled that God wanted him to be an integral part of that plan.

Sound familiar? Are you happy that God saves sinners from their wickedness? Of course, you are. But are you thrilled that God has called you to be the one who shares that message with your family, friends, neighbors, and others? Are you happy that there is a great openness to the gospel around the world? I bet you are. But are you willing to give sacrificially to aid that process? No, more than that, are you ready to go if God calls?

We are thrilled with the purposes of God, but often we want God to work those purposes through someone else as we remain at ease and in comfort.

 "Do your work, God, just do it through someone else." 

But God's great plan of redemption in this world involves a call to each and every one of us to die to self daily, to take up our cross and to follow Christ. We are not just saved to enjoy Christ, but to make him known in this world.

Father, I thank you for what you are doing in this world. Forgive me for those moments in which I have mimicked Moses, making excuses for my non-participation in your work. Use me, Lord, in your work, according to your purpose and plan. Wherever you want me to go. Whenever you need me. Whatever you call me to do. 

Think and Pray

Are you willing to be used by God, even at great cost?
Or do you ask God to do great things...as long as he uses someone else!

"Put the Past in the Past" January 19 Readings: Genesis 46-50

Today's Reading - Genesis 46-50

Background - Put the Past in the Past 

This reading wraps up Genesis as Jacob is moved to Egypt to be reunited with his son Joseph and there is great rejoicing. He blesses his sons, though some of those blessings are questionable as blessings - they read more like curses! Finally, Jacob dies and is taken back to his homeland for burial. 

That's when the sneaky brothers show themselves again, telling Joseph a story about how their father had left instructions to forgive them. He once again expresses his faith in God's good hand behind even their treachery. 

Devotional

It was a time of grief as they buried their father, but for Joseph's brothers it was also a time of stress and fear. They carried with them the memory of a terrible wrong they had committed against their brother, imprisoning him and selling him into slavery in Egypt. And now their brother was the second most powerful man in the world. 

And dad was not around to protect them anymore!

They were afraid that now that Jacob was gone Joseph might use his power to exact vengeance against them for what they had done to him. Who could blame him, after all? To save themselves, they concocted a lie that Jacob had asked Joseph to show mercy to his brothers. Such a scheme was unnecessary, for Joseph had learned one of life's most important lessons. He told his brothers not to fear him and assured them that he had no intent to rob God's right of revenge. Then, he made an amazing statement of faith in God (in Genesis 50:20). 

You planned evil against me; God planned it for good to bring about the present result—the survival of many people.

He believed in the goodness of the God who rules the world, and even though he knew that his brothers had willfully sought to harm him, the power of God changed man's evil into good. He was not holding a grudge or dwelling on the evil that had been done to him. He was dwelling on the goodness of God and the good that he had done in spite of it all. 

There is much in Joseph's response that is worthy of imitation. He dwelt on God's goodness instead of the real (or imagined) hurts from people. He trusted God's sovereign power to bring good out of evil. He refused to usurp God's right to respond to evil. 

But there is one more thing he did that I would like to point out. It is something that many of us do not do - to our own great spiritual harm. 

Joseph put the past in the past!

Too many Christians are living in the past. Some are stuck on mistakes they made in the past and cannot seem to receive the forgiveness God gives. Some are fixated on injuries and hurts, holding onto the bitterness and anger that saps spiritual joy and leaves people in bondage. Some may think that their spiritual successes in the past were enough to carry them through today. 

The past shapes us and gives us memories of both joy and pain. But the past must never control us. Jesus Christ died to free us from the sins of the past - both those we committed and those that were committed against us. Once we come to Christ, we are given the Spirit to renew us day by day, to give us joy, peace, power, victory, and grace every day. We must live in God's grace today and not be enslaved by the past. 

Lord, I thank you for every blessing and every challenge of the past, but I thank you that I do not have to be a slave to it. You have broken the chains of sin, you have freed me! May I walk in your grace daily.  

Think and Pray

"Trusting God's Plan" January 18 Readings: Genesis 42-45

Today's Reading - Genesis 42-45

Background

We encounter one of the truly entertaining stories in the Bible today - Joseph's interaction with the brothers who betrayed him. They'd assumed he was long dead and gone and had no idea that the powerful ruler they were encountering was the little brother they'd hated and sold into slavery. Joseph knew, though, and he tricked them.

Was he justified in the tricks he played on them? He could have just revealed himself at the start and been reunited, but he chose to hide his identity, entrap them, hold little brother Benjamin hostage and put his brothers through an emotional wringer. By New Testament ethics it would hardly be considered Christlike behavior, but Joseph did not have the Beatitudes and the teachings of Christ to consider.

Why did he deceive them? The best explanation is that he was testing their hearts. They had sold him out to advance their own positions. Would they do the same with his little brother Benjamin? Or had they truly changed? He found out through his machinations that the brothers had grown into men of character who sacrificed themselves for their father and for Benjamin.

Whether his deceit was justified is for God to judge, but we can see that it served a purpose at least.

May I make one more observation here? We have seen it in Abraham's dealings with Ismael and Isaac. It was especially apparent as Isaac and Rebekah raised Esau and Jacob. Here, we see Jacob/Israel saying things about Benjamin that show that he is clearly the favorite son. Favoritism in parenting caused untold damage among the Patriarchs. So, also, did polygamy, but that is another discussion for another time. If you have children, see that you love them all and that you do not play favorites.

Devotional - Trusting God's Plan

If ever a brother had a reason for revenge, it was Joseph. And not only did he have just cause, but he now had the perfect opportunity. When his brothers had the power, they had thrown him into the pit, faked his death, and sold him into slavery. He'd spent 13 years of hard times - as a slave in Potiphar's house and as a prisoner in Pharoah's dungeon. He'd be sold, he'd been lied about, and he'd been forgotten by those he'd helped.

And all of this was his brothers' fault.

Now, there they stood bowing and scraping before the man they knew as Pharaoh's right-hand man, the man about whose real identity they had no clue. He could have snapped his fingers and they'd have been marched off to the dungeon or put to the sword. No one would have asked questions. They were at his mercy.

But Joseph had a different view. He realized that the actions of his brothers, though sinful, were part of God's plan to accomplish the great calling of God on his life. He was to rise up and be a ruler. The "sun, moon, and stars" would bow down to him. All of that came to pass at the end of the 13 years of suffering. God used the evil of his brothers' actions to accomplish the greatness of his purpose.

When he revealed himself to them, they were terrified, but Joseph said this to them.

And now don’t be grieved or angry with yourselves for selling me here, because God sent me ahead of you to preserve life. 6 For the famine has been in the land these two years, and there will be five more years without plowing or harvesting. 7 God sent me ahead of you to establish you as a remnant within the land and to keep you alive by a great deliverance. 8 Therefore it was not you who sent me here, but God. He has made me a father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household, and ruler over all the land of Egypt. Genesis 45:5-8

Joseph trusted God. He wasn't bitter or angry because he knew that the terrible things that happened to him were part of God's plan to grow him and use him. He didn't seek vengeance because he realized that God was in control. "God sent me here," he reasoned. That did not abrogate the guilt of the brothers, but Joseph saw the hand of God even in the hard things that happened.

We hold grudges. We get angry and hurt and we pout and seek revenge. That is because we do not understand what Joseph understood. The circumstances of our lives, even the hard ones, are part of God's plan to grow us and shape us so that he can use us. Joseph was only ready to be the man God wanted him to be because he endured the things God set in his path.

Father, help me not to whine and become bitter, but to accept the hard times and the hurts as part of your plan to grow and to become all you've meant for me to be. Thank you for your sovereignn power. Help me to trust you. 

Think and Pray

Do you trust God when things don't go your way?
Think back 13 years ago? What if nothing had gone right in your life for 13 years? Would you still trust God?
Remember that God elevated Joseph greatly, but only after he persevered in faith.

God builds the character we need, during those hard times, so that we can handle the work he is calling us to do.

"in One Day" January 17 Readings: Genesis 37-41

Today's Reading - Genesis 37-41

Background

The story of Joseph which begins in these chapters and carries on through the end of the book of Genesis, is fascinating and powerful. He is given great promises by God, then is sold by his brothers, imprisoned because of lies, forgotten by one he helped. Then when God was ready for him, he was elevated to the position God had promised to give him.

There are several lessons we learn from Joseph's life:

• God's promises are trustworthy even if they are delayed or if circumstances seem to show they are impossible. 
• Serving God is no guarantee of ease and comfort. 
• God's concern is for our character development more than our comfort, ease, and prosperity. Job suffered much for many years to develop the character he'd need to do the job God assigned him. 
• Our duty is to serve God whatever the circumstances. 
• Circumstances never tell the truth about your life. God's word does. 

There is much more to say - this story is filled with truth!

Devotional - In One Day

Joseph’s story is both tragic and glorious.  He was Jacob’s favorite son, and that bred jealousy among his brothers.  They sold him into slavery in Egypt – a teenage boy betrayed by his family.  He became a slave to Potiphar, who grew to love him.  Unfortunately, Potiphar’s wife also had feelings for him – the wrong kind.  Joseph resisted her advances, but that did not stop Mrs. Potiphar of accusing him of assault.  Joseph ended up spending many years in an Egyptian dungeon.  When he interpreted the dream of Pharaoh’s cupbearer, he had a moment of hope, but that was snuffed as the cupbearer forgot about him for two whole years.

Then, it all changed in one day.  Joseph awoke one morning as a slave and went to bed that night as the second most powerful man in the world.  Pharaoh had a restless night, dreaming about cows and ears of grain.  The dreams troubled him.  As he discussed them, the cupbearer suddenly remembered Joseph, who interpreted his dream.  Joseph was summoned, interpreted Pharaoh’s dream, and advised Pharaoh about how to handle the lean years that were to come.  Pharaoh decided that because of Joseph’s wisdom, he would be the perfect man to be Egypt’s second-in-charge.  What a day for Joseph.

But to get to that wonderful day, Joseph had to go through thirteen years of struggle and hardship. it might have seemed to him that God was deaf to his prayers and had forgotten him, but he had not. Joseph continued to serve God faithfully until the answer came. 

I am often frustrated by how long struggles continue, how slow the victories are to come or my prayers are to be answered. It is easy to  despair, to give up hope, to lose enthusiasm for the battle.  But we must not do that. We cannot. God is in charge, and where he is at work there is never any justification to abandon hope. God may be slow but his timing is perfect. 

Remember this: every circumstance in Joseph's life screamed that God's promise was not going to come true; that the visions of his youth would fail. But God was at work even when Joseph couldn't see it or feel it. God was preparing Joseph for the work he had before him. When the time was right, God's plan was revealed.  

God is at work all around us. Often we fail and are uncooperative with that work, but God's work continues. Circumstances may tell you to despair of God's promises, but a man or woman of God learns to live by Gd's word and to serve him faithfully, regardless of what is happening in the world.

God, I trust you.  Sometimes I cannot see what you are doing and I struggle to understand. But like Joseph I want to keep serving you and wait for your timing to reveal your power. Help me to trust you and walk in confidence in what you can do in me!

Think and Pray

Do you trust God enough to serve him even when his promises have not yet been fulfilled?
Do you realize that God's chief concern is not your comfort or prosperity, but your Christlike character?

'Changed" January 16 Readings: Genesis 31-36

Today's Reading - Genesis 31-36

Background

Jacob finally decided to return home and face the music. Decades had passed and he wanted to see his family again. He separated from Laban (and some of his scheming past came out) and headed back. Surprisingly, Esau welcomed him back and all was forgiven.

The most significant aspect of these readings are two encounters Jacob has with God at Bethel (House of God), one in chapter 32 and the second in chapter 35. In the first, Jacob wrestles with God and finally, he encounters God in power, the covenant with Abraham is renewed with him and his name is change to Israel (He struggles with God).

Jacob became Israel, a changed man.

Devotional - Changed

One of the fundamental assertions of modern pop-psychology is that people don't really change. You are what you are and that is what you always will be. An alcoholic may be able to stop drinking, but he remains an alcoholic to the end of his days. It is assumed that people's sexual desires are hard-wired into them and to ask people to change is unfair, even cruel.  

There is a very different message in the pages of Scripture. When people come into contact with the living God, their lives are radically changed. Ever noticed how often someone who came to know God was renamed by the Father?  Abram became Abraham.  Saul became Paul.  And in Genesis 35:10, God gives a new name to Jacob.  It is a significant change.

Jacob was a troubled man with a troubled name.  His name meant "deceiver" and that is exactly what Jacob was.  He was a schemer, tricking his father and his brother. This was not a good man. 

But God does not look simply at what a man is; he looks at what he intends to make him. God got a hold on Jacob and he became a new man. Since a new man needs a new name, God gave him one. The new name was Israel. God was working out his new purpose in this man's life and the new name referred to the triumph of God's will that now prevailed in his life. Jacob was a new man and needed a new name. 

  

In 2 Corinthians 5:17 we are told that in Christ we are “new creations” and that the old is gone, replaced by the new work that God in doing in our hearts.  In Christ, I do not have to be today what I was yesterday and I do not have to be tomorrow what I am today.  I can change in Christ.

God is in the business of giving new names to his children.  The drunk gets called by a new name – sober.  The pervert can become pure.  Those who live to indulge their sinful natures can walk in self-control. It can happen - not because of me but because of the God I serve, the One who makes all things new. 

Lord, I thank you for your life-changing and renewing power.  Because of you, I do not have to be tomorrow what I was yesterday. You are the name-changer, the life-transformer. I rely on your power and strength to become tomorrow what I am not today. 

Think and Pray

When we come to Christ we become new creations.
In what ways have you been changed by Jesus?
What changes is he making in you today?

"Selling Our Birthright" January 15 Readings: Genesis 26-30

Today's Reading - Genesis 26-30

Background

The story of Jacob is one of redemption and transformation. You and I wouldn't have much liked him. He was a momma's boy and a schemer. They named him Jacob, a word that carried that meaning and he fulfilled his name. He manipulated his brother out of his birthright and stole the blessing of his father. When he fled north to Abraham's ancestral home, he was schemed against by Laban and married his two wives, beginning his family.

We also see here the beginning of the change of a man's heart. Exiled from home the deceiver gradually changes until that moment when he encountrs God and is made a new man (tomorrow's reading).

One interesting note is that Genesis foreshadows the conflict of the nations throughout time. Abraham's tryst with Hagar brought Ishmael to life - he is the father of the Arab peoples who have troubled the Jews for millennia. Lot's daughters were the beginning of Moab and Ammon. Now, you have Esau, the father of the Edomites.

Lesson - many of the troubles the Israelites experienced in their history were self-inflicted; the consequences of their ow n sin and bad choices!

Devotional - Selling Our Birthright

Jacob and Esau - what a mess they were! Jealousy. Rivalry. Anger and bitterness. This was not a functional family and it seemed to have started in the womb. These two were as different as night and day. Esau was a red-neck, out hunting and fishing and doing manly things. Isaac loved that. Jacob was a momma's boy, staying in the kitchen working on his culinary skills (Genesis 25:27).

One day, Esau the elder came in after a long day in the fields and he smelled a stew that Jacob was cooking. Being both famished and impatient, he had to have some of the stew. “Let me eat some of that red stuff, because I’m exhausted," he said.

Jacob was a schemer, and he immediately laid his trap. If Esau wanted some food, he was going to have to give up his birthright - his status as the family's firstborn, the one who would inherit and become the family patriarch.

No way, you might think. Who would give up such a wonderful thing as his birthright for a simple pot of stew? No one would be that foolish, would they? Meet Esau. Without a thought to the consequences, he made the deal, gave up his birthright and wolfed down the stew.

For a moment of fullness he sacrificed his future. He prized present pleasure and forgot the future consequences of his choices. How soon after the stew settled in his stomach do you think he began to regret the deal? He gave away the future for a bowl of stew! What a fool.

Every day we make choices - life is choices. We must often choose between what we want and what is right, between present pleasure and future blessing. Often, that which is right and best is not that which provides the moment of pleasure. We must choose to forgo that moment for the glory, the blessing of God that lies ahead.

We have a birthright - those who have been born again by the grace of God. The Father is at work in us to conform us to Christ and to bless us with his presence. We are destined to be like Christ. That destiny is settled by God's grace. But often, on a daily basis, we sacrifice our heritage, our birthright, for a bowl of soup. We turn from what God is doing in our lives to enjoy a moment of what this world offers. Make no mistake about it - this world can never offer us more than a bowl of soup. And that bowl is never worth our birthright!

Most of the decisions we have to make are between what is right and what we want right now. Right, or right now. Between the blessing and the bowl of soup. Which is it going to be? When you are in a moment of temptation, are you going to do what you want to do right now, to give in to your body's desires? Or will you resist the desires of the flesh and do what will bring a blessing in the future? Are we going to just enjoy life today, or invest in the things of the kingdom?

Esau was a fool because he exchanged he exchanged his birthright, his blessing, for a bowl of soup. Things of real, eternal value must never be sacrificed for the satiation of present urges. May we never be such fools!

Lord God, too often I have given over the blessings you hold for me to enjoy the flesh's stew right now. Forgive me of that sin, Lord. Empower me with wisdom to resist the stew and choose my birthright as a child of the Living God. 

Think and Pray

Do you choose what is right and good or what feels good right now?
Do you make your choice based on the blessing of God or on what you want and need?