Defeated! February 29 Readings: Joshua 6-8, Obedience is the Key

The Story of the Bible from Creation to the Cross to Eternal Glory

In 72 daily readings, we will examine the overall story of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, seeking to get the big picture of God's work through Jesus Christ in this sinful world.

Today's Reading:  Joshua 6-8

Through the Bible Readings: 

Because it is Leap Year, there are no Through the Bible in One Year readings today. 

Context 

The conquest of the land begins here as Israel puts into place the plan of attack given to them by the Angel of the Lord. In obedience to God they marched around the walls for six days, then seven times on the seventh day, and the walls came down. It was all about obedience.

Then, overconfident for reasons that make no sense, Israel took out on their own to attack the little village of Ai. They went without consulting God, fighting in their own power, and took a severe beating at the hands of this little town.

Then, they got right with God, dealt with their sin, began walking in obedience again, and the victory began to flow again.

It's all about obedience.

Devotional: Defeated!

Joshua was flabbergasted. After the great victory he and the people of God had won over Jericho, they had suddenly been horribly defeated by a little nothing village called Ai. Had God let his people down, forgotten them? Joshua was convinced that God had failed his people and he called out to him for help and understanding. 

He got the help he needed, but it came in a very different way than he expected. Get up off the ground, Joshua. Stop praying and deal with the sin that caused the problem. That was not what he expected. 

But God revealed the source of the problem  - Achan’s sin – and Israel took care of business. It is shocking to our modern sensibilities the lengths to which he went in dealing with this sin, but sin is no small thing in God’s eyes. But there was sin in Israel and it had to be dealt with - aggressively and forcefully. 

Once the sin issue was properly put in the past, there was still the matter of round 2 with Ai. This time, with God on their side and giving them direction, and using their entire army, they went up to Ai and conquered it. God gave them wisdom and power and they won the battle that only days before had brought defeat.

There are some important lessons for us in this story. First, defeat is never final for the people of God. I have lost and lost and lost, but that does not mean that I should give up. Just because I blew it yesterday does not mean that I will blow it tomorrow. I do not have to be tomorrow what I used to be.

Second, if I want to change, I’ve got to deal with the deep sins, the heart issues, and the hidden things that have undermined my success. Israel could have gone up against Ai with a hundred different strategies, but until they dealt with the sin in their midst, there would be no victory. I need to let the Spirit speak conviction to my heart and show me whatever there is in my life that might hinder my victory.

Finally, I need to marshal all the power that God has given me and go to battle. When Israel took only a part of their resources, they were turned away. But when they went up against Ai with all of their soldiers, empowered by God, the battle turned. For any spiritual battle we face we must put on the whole armor of God, not just part of it. 

Lord, thank you for never giving up, even when I feel like a failure. Thank you for being faithful and good. Forgive my sins and cleanse my heart that I may walk in your ways daily.

Think and Pray:

Are there areas in your life in which you are walking in disobedience to God?
Is there sin you must deal with so that you may experience God's power?

Jump in the Deep End - February 28 Readings: Joshua 3, The Conquest Begins

The Story of the Bible from Creation to the Cross to Eternal Glory

In 72 daily readings, we will examine the overall story of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, seeking to get the big picture of God's work through Jesus Christ in this sinful world.

Today's Reading:  Joshua 3

Through the Bible Readings: Numbers 11-12, Mark 6:1-29, Psalm 30, Proverbs 7:10-12

If you wish to read through the Bible in a year, follow these readings. 

Context 

Ever spent time wandering in the wilderness? You were saved by God's grace, as Israel was delivered through the Red Sea and then you went out to live the life of faith and dependence, but somehow, like the Chosen People, you got sidetracked and ended up walking in circles instead of taking possession of the land God promised you.

As Joshua 3 opens, the time has come for Israel to end its wanderings and begin the Conquest of the Land, the intent of God from the time they were saved from Egypt.

When a believer has been wandering in the wilderness instead of walking in the ways of God, what is necessary to get back on track? You have to go back to the beginning. No, we don't lose our salvation and we don't get "re-saved" but it may seem that way. At the Red Sea God parted the waters and Israel went through on dry ground. To start over, God stopped the flow of the Jordan and Israel went through on dry ground.

It always starts with a miracle of God. It's his work, his power, his authority, his saving grace. The grace that saved you is the grace that restores you when you get off track.

Devotional: Jump in the Deep End 

Why is it that we see so little of the miraculous, amazing, mind-blowing power of God that was seen so often in the biblical days? Has God retired? Is the "age of miracles" over? Is the Bible full of fictional stories that inflate the facts to make God's work seem more glorious than it really was?

I do not believe that. But I do believe that there was one thing seen in the lives of biblical characters that you rarely see in our lives today. In almost every biblical story of the great works of God, we see a particular response to God's work that is consistently displayed among the people through whom God works.

It's "risky faith." 

Risky faith? It's a faith that gives itself so completely to God that if God doesn't work, the man or woman of God will die, be humiliated, destroyed, or utterly fail.

In Joshua 3, priests carrying the ark of God, which represents the presence and power of God among his people, were told to approach the Jordan which was at flood stage and to step into the river. Normally that was nothing - it's a slow-moving little creek. But at flood stage in those days the Jordan was certain death. And God told these poor men to step in. When they stepped into the river he stopped the flow.

Moses had to go to Egypt to face Pharaoh. Risky faith. David walked out to fight Goliath. Risky faith. Elijah went up on Mt. Carmel. Risky faith. Barnabas and Saul went out into the darkness to shine the light. Risky faith. God does not work for our amusement or our entertainment. He works in response to risky faith.

We insist on safety, on risk-free, security-certain, no-fear, no-danger faith. We ask God to stop the river first, dry the ground, and then we will consider, perhaps, maybe, thinking about walking through! God tells us to follow him into the river knowing danger abounds. We will never see the display of God's power until we are risking all in the service of God. It is on the front lines of the great battle that God is revealed in all his glory and awesome power.

Father, put me in the battle for your glory that I may see your power. 

Think and Pray:

Are you living in risky faith?
When is the last time you did something that would utterly fail if God did not work in power? 

Choose You This Day - February 27 Readings: Deuteronomy 27-28, Choose Blessings or Curses!

The Story of the Bible from Creation to the Cross to Eternal Glory

In 72 daily readings, we will examine the overall story of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, seeking to get the big picture of God's work through Jesus Christ in this sinful world.

Today's Reading:  Deuteronomy 27-28

Through the Bible Readings:  Numbers 8-10, Mark 5:21-43, Psalm 29:8-11, Proverbs 7:6-9

If you wish to read through the Bible in a year, follow these readings. 

Context   

It is a distinction that is hard to understand, hard to keep clear, but essential to the Christian life.

1. Your relationship with God is based on the work of Christ, not your works. You are right with God because of Christ's righteousness, not your own. It is all of grace and none of works.
2. Your relationship with God necessitates that you make wise choices and walk in obedience. The life you live daily is a product of the choices you make. There are blessings for obedience and there is discipline for disobedience.

Am I saying two opposite things? Perhaps, but I don't think so. I am saved by grace, not by works, and my relationship with God is founded on the work of Christ. But that does not mean that my choices or my lifestyle are insignificant.

In both Leviticus 26 and in today's reading in Deuteronomy, God sets forth the blessings and curses that Israel would face if they obeyed or disobeyed. The fact is that the curses in Deuteronomy, unfortunately, became a prophetic history of Israel.

Devotional: Choose You This Day

Life is a journey in the valley between Mt. Gerizim and Mt. Ebal.

In Deuteronomy 27, Moses gave instructions to Israel for a ceremony that would take place after they had conquered the land of Canaan. They were to go to the valley between Mt. Ebal and Mt. Gerizim. Half of the people would stand on Mt. Gerizim and half on Mt. Ebal. The Levites would stand between them and call out the blessings that would come from obedience to God’s Law and the curses that would come from disobedience. Gerizim represented the blessing of God and Ebal represented the discipline of God against disobedience.

It was a moment of choice, of decision. Would Israel walk in the ways of God and experience all the blessings that he would give them because of that; the positive consequences of their choices? Or would Israel wander from God’s Word and go their own way? Would they ignore what God commanded, live as they pleased, and experience the consequences of their own sin?

Unfortunately, for most of the Old Testament era, Israel chose disobedience and brought one curse (the awful consequences of disobeying God) after another upon themselves, culminating in the utter destruction of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar in 586 BC. On rare occasions, they chose the way of God and experienced those blessings that attended that choice.

Walking in obedience to God is not a guarantee that all of life will go well. Those who love Jesus and serve him still have accidents, tragedies, illnesses, struggles, and heartaches. But those who walk in obedience never have to suffer the awful consequences of their own sin. They do not have to reap the terrible harvest they have sowed because they refused to sow the seeds of sin. Those who live in obedience are blessed by that. Again, they do not have a guarantee to live free of life’s storms, but they walk under the presence and power of God and in his blessings.

We must daily choose those things that lead to blessing and to the glory of God. We are constantly being confronted with moral choices in which we must decide whether we will walk in the ways of God or choose our own rebellious path. 

What will we do? Which way will we choose? Blessing? Discipline? 

Father, I thank you that Jesus Christ died for my sin and failure. I thank you that he rose and lives in me by the Holy Spirit. I thank you that he will give me power when I choose Gerizim and will strengthen me to avoid Ebal. You are so good!

Think and Pray:

Look at your life. Does your life more resemble that of the one blessed by God or the one under God's discipline?
Are you daily choosing to obey God and walk in his ways? Are you choosing Gerizim or Ebal? 

All My Heart? - February 26 Readings: Deuteronomy 6, The Greatest Commandment

The Story of the Bible from Creation to the Cross to Eternal Glory

In 72 daily readings, we will examine the overall story of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, seeking to get the big picture of God's work through Jesus Christ in this sinful world.

Today's Reading: Deuteronomy 6

Through the Bible Readings: Numbers 5-7, Mark 5:1–20, Psalm 29:1–7, Proverbs 7:1-5

If you wish to read through the Bible in a year, follow these readings. 

Context 

I've often said my least favorite word in the Bible is "all." If Deuteronomy 6:4 said, "Love God with your heart and your soul and your might," I'd be golden. But that word "all" comes in and messes everything up. This isn't the only place, of course, but it is one of the biggest. All my heart? I love God but I'm not sure I've gotten to that place where all my heart is his.

Deuteronomy 6 is foundational to an understanding of the Old Testament. People think of the God of the OT as mean, harsh, even cruel, and distinguish him from the God of Love revealed in the NT. But as we see here, the basis of the relationship of Israel to God is the same as ours. Love. Love God. God presents himself as a spurned husband when Israel embraces other gods in the prophets. He is a God of love who shows love and desires to receive love.

Devotional: All My Heart? 

Deuteronomy 6 is one of the foundational passages of the Old Testament. It begins with the "Shema Y'israel" (Hear, O Israel), in 6:4 and follows with what Jesus identified as the greatest commandment, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” Then in the next few chapters, Israel is told how to live out that devotion, commanded to eschew idolatry of any form, to trust God against all enemies who would try to keep them from the work of God and to expect that the God who saved them from Egypt would establish them in the Promised Land. 

But the passage roots in the first command, to love God with all of our heart and soul and might. Nothing is to come between us and our devotion to God – the key in all of our struggles in life. 

It is easy to become obsessed with the spiritual battles we face. We focus on how to avoid lust, or stop losing our tempers, or break a habit, or (in my case) fight obesity. And we should face sin in the power of Christ and oppose it. But there are two things we need to remember as we engage in these battles. 

First, we do not have to fight sin to gain approval with God. We are accepted in Christ - fully, unreservedly and eternally. We seek to please him not to gain his approval but because he has already given us his approval in Christ. We love because he first loved us. This is a powerful fuel for our struggle. 

Second, all of our struggles with sin root in this battle - seeking to love God with all of our hearts, soul, and might. Do I love God more than my food? Do I love God more than my addiction, more than my greed, more than my pride? Do I love him more than my hurts and bitterness? All of life is a battle to live out the truth of the Greatest Commandment. And it is a battle we ought to engage daily - seeking, struggling to focus all of our hearts and minds on Christ, desiring hearts and minds that are pure in their love for him. 

Thank God that we are accepted in Christ because we always fall short of that noble goal. No matter how much I love God, I can always love him a little more, draw a little closer to him and seek him a little more fully. In the meantime, as this battle ensues, as we wage war against the flesh to love God with all our hearts, it is comforting to know that we are accepted in Christ even in our failure. 

That is where we live our lives - hovering between the ideal (pursuing God with all our hearts) and the real (our divided hearts). In the "in-between" we must remember these two truths. 

1) My highest calling is to love God with all my heart. Every other struggle or challenge in life is part of that battle - to love God.
2) In the midst of that struggle, and even in the midst of my failure, God's love for us is unshakable and eternal. 

In that comfort, we go forth to battle, we seek to love God a little more today than yesterday. We look forward to that day when we will see him face to face to our hearts will be pure in love for him. 

Father, I do love you. Help me to love you more. Purify my heart that it may only beat for you! And I thank you that even in my failures you never abandon me. 

Think and Pray:

None of us fully attains the ideal of loving God with all our heart, but are you growing in your love and devotion for God?
Is love the driving factor in your relationship with God - not fear, duty, or other emotions?

The Land Is Mine - February 25 Readings: Leviticus 25, God Demands Justice

The Story of the Bible from Creation to the Cross to Eternal Glory

In 72 daily readings, we will examine the overall story of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, seeking to get the big picture of God's work through Jesus Christ in this sinful world.

Today's Reading:   Leviticus 25

Through the Bible Readings: Numbers 1-4, Mark 4:21–41, Psalm 28:4–9, Proverbs 6:34-35

If you wish to read through the Bible in a year, follow these readings. 

Context 

Reading the OT law can be hard for us - it's a long list of specific laws we don't understand about things that have nothing to do with our lives. Leviticus has chapters on infectious skin diseases and mildew, on handling slaves and all sorts of moral, ceremonial, and personal rules that seem to have little applicability in this world.

We must look beyond the specifics at times to the character of God that is revealed in those laws. What we see in many of the laws is a desire from God that he be honored above all and that no idols be worshiped. But many other laws are about how we treat one another, building on the core principle, "Love your neighbor as yourself." Boiled down, these laws tell us to treat one another with respect and take responsibility for our actions. If you break it, fix it. Treat people with honor and be fair and just toward one another. Don't abuse people, misuse people, oppress people, or treat them unkindly.

It's really all about the golden rule even before the golden rule was spoken by Jesus. But it's not just "treat people as you want to be treated," but "treat people as God demands you treat them, knowing they are valuable to him." 

Devotional: The Land Is Mine

For centuries, for millennia, there has been an argument over who owned the land of Israel. Does it belong to the ancient nation of Israel and its descendants or does it belong to its current inhabitants, whoever they may be? The Jews have claimed the land. The Arabs have claimed the land. Others have tried to lay claim to ownership of the Holy Land. But Leviticus 25:23 settles the issue of ownership once and for all.

In the law, the Israelites were told they could not sell the land in perpetuity because "The land is mine." God laid claim on the land. It was not theirs. It was not the property of the Canaanites who dwelt in the land. It belonged to God.

"I do what I want. No one controls me." That's the mantra of modern Americanism. I do what I want when I want how I want and no one gets to tell me what to do. But the kingdom of God doesn't work that way. It's a kingdom after all. That means there si a king. A ruler. Israel belonged to God and in exactly the same way, you belong to God. 1 Corinthians 6 says, "You are not your own, you were bought with a price."

There are so many blessings that come our way when we are saved, too many to enumerate in one devotional post. I am saved, forgiven, redeemed, justified, sealed in the Spirit, destined for glory, and on and on. But there is something else that happens at the moment of salvation when I receive all these blessings. I give up the title to my own life. Jesus comes in to rule over me.

Why did God get to set the laws for Israel? Because it all belonged to him! Jesus purchased me with his blood and gave me life eternal. Because of that, he has every right to assert Lordship, even ownership of my entire life.

I'm not a free man. I'm blessed. I'm redeemed. But I am not free to do as I please. I have been freed from the power of sin to do what God pleases and to live for him. The land is his. This land is his. My body is his temple, where he dwells and where he rules.

When we come to Christ we give up the right to rule our own lives.

Father, I thank you for redeeming me and I remind myself today that you are rightful Lord of my life, and you hold the ownership of my body, soul, and spirit, be cause of the redemption of your Son. 

Think and Pray:

In your day to day life, who is the owner of your life? Do you rule yourself or does Christ have all authority over you?
Do you treat people righteously and justly? 

Take Time to Be Holy - February 24 Readings: Leviticus 22:17-23:44, True Worship (Offerings, Feasts)

The Story of the Bible from Creation to the Cross to Eternal Glory

In 72 daily readings, we will examine the overall story of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, seeking to get the big picture of God's work through Jesus Christ in this sinful world.

Today's Reading:   Leviticus 22:17-23:44

Through the Bible Readings: Leviticus 26-27, Mark 4:1–20, Psalm 28:1–3, Proverbs 6:32-33

If you wish to read through the Bible in a year, follow these readings. 

Context 

This may not be your most exciting reading of the year - instructions about offerings we do not offer and feasts we do not observe - but there are lessons to be learned here.

God set up an extensive system of sacrifices, festivals, and feasts for Israel. Why? It was not to put them through some kind of religious rigamarole but to aid them in a right relationship with God. The sacrifices were to deal with the sin that built a wall of separation between man and God. The feasts and the festivals interrupted Israel's daily routine so that they would take time to be with God, to come away from their busy daily lives and rest, worship, and honor God.

Devotional: Take Time to Be Holy 

Take time to be holy, speak oft with thy Lord;
Abide in him always, and feed on his word.
Make friends of God's children, help those who are weak,
Forgetting in nothing his blessing to seek.

The old hymn makes a pretty good point, doesn't it? We live in the microwave age; a time when "instant" is too slow. We rush around from thing to thing, place to place, project to project. Do you feel as though your life is just one commitment after another?

That leaves little time to seek and draw near to God. And, as the hymn above rightly points out, it takes time to be holy. It takes time to learn the Word of God. It takes time to pray. It takes time to build relationships and minister to the needy. It all takes time. And most of us are so rushed, so harried and harassed, that there is simply no time for the things of God. 

Evidently, while things may be more extreme in our day, it is not a new problem. In Leviticus 23, God established in the Law a series of special holy days and festivals that were meant to be observed by God's people. Of course, there was a Sabbath day every week of the year. There was the Passover on the 14th day of the first month (usually around our Easter time), followed by seven days of Unleavened Bread. Then there was what came to be known as the Feast of Pentecost 50 days later. The seventh month had a special day of rest on the 1st, followed by the Day of Atonement on the 10th and then the seven-day Feast of Tabernacles (or Feast of Booths) starting on the 15th. By the time that was over, most of the seventh month was taken up in Sabbaths, festivals, and feasts.

Think how many days that was. There were 52 Sabbaths. There was Passover, Pentecost, the Day of Atonement and the two 7-day Feasts (which both, of course, included a Sabbath). By my calculations, that is about 67 days of the year devoted to rest and worship. That's a lot of time, just less than 20% of the days of a year. 

But God knew that it takes time to be holy. It takes time apart from life's normal pursuits, pleasures, and passions to focus on the things of God. We must come apart and give ourselves to the pursuit of God's face. We do not have set feasts and festivals as Israel did. We live in the daily rest of Christ, granted us in grace. But we also need to be careful to take time to be holy every day. We ought to set aside days, even perhaps weeks of spiritual retreat and restoration. 

While we may not live under the strict festival structure of the Old Testament Law, we are foolish if we do not heed its purpose. We must regularly take time to be holy, to seek God, to repent of sin, to renew our zeal and to seek the power of God. 

Take time to be holy, the world rushes on;Spend much time in secret with Jesus alone.By looking to Jesus, like him thou shalt be;Thy friends in thy conduct his likeness shall see.

In the words of that song lies the secret of life. Take time to be holy. 

Oh, Lord, today was so busy, with good things, with important things, and with mundane things. The phone rang and the computer hummed. Forgive me that I did not take the time to be holy that I needed. May I do that every day, coming apart from the world and its pursuits to seek the kingdom of God and your righteousness. 

Think and Pray:

Do you take time out of your schedule to rest and to worship God, to honor him as he deserves?
Do you "take time to be holy?"

A Royal Priesthood - February 23 Readings: Leviticus 21:1-22:16, Priests Mediate

The Story of the Bible from Creation to the Cross to Eternal Glory

In 72 daily readings, we will examine the overall story of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, seeking to get the big picture of God's work through Jesus Christ in this sinful world.

Today's Reading:  Leviticus 21:1-22:16

Through the Bible Readings: Leviticus 24-25, Mark 3:13–35, Psalm 27:5–14, Proverbs6:30-31 

If you wish to read through the Bible in a year, follow these readings. 

Context 

Living in an area with a high Catholic population, it is not unusual for me to be called, "Father Miller" or "Father Dave." I tell them that I am a pastor, not a priest. But in reality, I am a priest. The New Testament calls me one; but not just me, you too. All believers are priests, we are a kingdom of priests.

In the Old Testament, there were three kinds of leaders for the people of God. There were kings (or judges before the monarchy) who ruled over Israel. There were prophets who delivered the word of God and called sinful Israel to repentance. And there were priests. They were intercessors - they stood between God and man. They made the sacrifices that atoned for man's sin and they taught God's word.

But OT priests are not NT pastors. Every believer in the NT is a priest. That which was true of the priest is true of every reborn follower of Christ. As we read about priests, do not strictly imagine the role of the preacher (though some principles may apply) but think about the life of every redeemed person.

Devotional: A Royal Priesthood 

You are a priest.

You probably don't think of yourself that way, do you? When I say the word priest, you think of someone in robes with a strange collar, but we are priests. 1 Peter 2:9 describes the church as a "royal priesthood" - a gathering of the children of God ordained to represent him and to mediate between God and man in this world.

Since you are a priest, it is good to remember what the requirements were for a priest in Old Testament days. There were higher standards for priests than for anyone else. Things everyone else could do the priest could not because he was holy to God. Holy. That's a word many don't like and even fewer understand. Holiness isn't about wearing certain clothes or following a long list of rules. It's about belonging to God. That which was holy was set apart from the world to belong to God and God alone.

The priest was holy. He could not live a normal life or be like everyone else because his life belonged to God and was set apart solely for God's glory and God's use. They could not live like everyone else, could not eat and drink like everyone else, could not marry like everyone else. Holiness demands a distinct life, a life lived for God's glory, devoted to God's work.

• It seems harsh, but the priest was not allowed to make himself "unclean" (to violate the ceremonial holiness rules) except for his closest family members, according to Leviticus 21:1-2.
• He was not allowed to tattoo his body or do certain things to his hair, likely for reasons of the appearance of idolatry (21:5)
• According to 21:7-8, there were special rules about who he could marry, rules that went beyond the rules for others in Israel. He was required to marry a virgin. (21:13)
• There were rules about how to wear his hair and about not touching dead bodies. (21:10-11)
• In a rule that seems harsh and unfair to our modern sensibilities, but serves as a picture both of Christ's perfection and our need for holiness, he was required not to deformed in any way. (21:18-21)

As you read chapters 21 and 22, you see a whole host of other rules, rules which seem arcane and strange to us. The symbolism is really the point here. The priest belonged to God and was called to higher standards of life and behavior.

We are holy to God, purchased by the Blood of the Lamb and called to lives devoted to God. "You are not your own," Paul told the Corinthians in 1 Corinthians 6. "You were bought with a price." We belong to him because of what Jesus did for us. Therefore, in every aspect of our lives, we must live for Christ and for the glory of God.

Being a priest does not free me to "do as I please" as some have strangely said. It does the opposite. It obligates me to live as Christ pleases. It places a higher obligation on me, a burden of holiness. But the holiness of Christ is not just a burden, it is a joy, a privilege to walk in the ways of the Savior, not in the ways of the sinful world.

Thank you, Lord, for not only saving my soul, but also for calling me as a priest to serve you and your kingdom in this world and for calling me to live by the standards of your kingdom. 

Think and Pray:

Do you take your status as a priest seriously, living for God's glory and the interests of the kingdom?

When the Glory Fell - February 22 Readings: Exodus 35:30-40:38, The Tabernacle

The Story of the Bible from Creation to the Cross to Eternal Glory

In 72 daily readings, we will examine the overall story of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, seeking to get the big picture of God's work through Jesus Christ in this sinful world.

Today's Reading:  Exodus 35:30-40:38 (Read 35:30-36:7, 40:16-38 carefully)

Focus Passages: 

 Exodus 35:30-36:7
35:30 Moses then said to the Israelites: “Look, the Lord has appointed by name Bezalel son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. 31 He has filled him with God’s Spirit, with wisdom, understanding, and ability in every kind of craft 32 to design artistic works in gold, silver, and bronze, 33 to cut gemstones for mounting, and to carve wood for work in every kind of artistic craft. 34 He has also given[a] both him and Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, the ability to teach others. 35 He has filled them with skill[b] to do all the work of a gem cutter; a designer; an embroiderer[c] in blue, purple, and scarlet yarn and fine linen; and a weaver. They can do every kind of craft and design artistic designs.
 36 Bezalel, Oholiab, and all the skilled[d] people are to work based on everything the Lord has commanded. The Lord has given them wisdom and understanding to know how to do all the work of constructing the sanctuary.”
 2 So Moses summoned Bezalel, Oholiab, and every skilled person in whose heart the Lord had placed wisdom, all whose hearts moved them, to come to the work and do it. 3 They took from Moses’s presence all the contributions that the Israelites had brought for the task of making the sanctuary. Meanwhile, the people continued to bring freewill offerings morning after morning.
 4 Then all the artisans who were doing all the work for the sanctuary came one by one from the work they were doing 5 and said to Moses, “The people are bringing more than is needed for the construction of the work the Lord commanded to be done.”
 6 After Moses gave an order, they sent a proclamation throughout the camp: “Let no man or woman make anything else as an offering for the sanctuary.” So the people stopped. 7 The materials were sufficient for them to do all the work. There was more than enough.
 Exodus 40:16-38
16 Moses did everything just as the Lord had commanded him. 17 The tabernacle was set up in the first month of the second year, on the first day of the month.[a] 18 Moses set up the tabernacle: He laid its bases, positioned its supports, inserted its crossbars, and set up its pillars. 19 Then he spread the tent over the tabernacle and put the covering of the tent on top of it, just as the Lord had commanded Moses.
 20 Moses took the testimony and placed it in the ark, and attached the poles to the ark. He set the mercy seat on top of the ark. 21 He brought the ark into the tabernacle, put up the curtain for the screen, and screened off the ark of the testimony, just as the Lord had commanded him.
 22 Moses placed the table in the tent of meeting on the north side of the tabernacle, outside the curtain. 23 He arranged the bread on it before the Lord, just as the Lord had commanded him. 24 He put the lampstand in the tent of meeting opposite the table on the south side of the tabernacle 25 and set up the lamps before the Lord, just as the Lord had commanded him.
 26 Moses installed the gold altar in the tent of meeting, in front of the curtain, 27 and burned fragrant incense on it, just as the Lord had commanded him. 28 He put up the screen at the entrance to the tabernacle. 29 He placed the altar of burnt offering at the entrance to the tabernacle, the tent of meeting, and offered the burnt offering and the grain offering on it, just as the Lord had commanded him.
 30 He set the basin between the tent of meeting and the altar and put water in it for washing. 31 Moses, Aaron, and his sons washed their hands and feet from it. 32 They washed whenever they came to the tent of meeting and approached the altar, just as the Lord had commanded Moses.
 33 Next Moses set up the surrounding courtyard for the tabernacle and the altar and hung a screen for the gate of the courtyard. So Moses finished the work.
 34 The cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. 35 Moses was unable to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud rested on it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.
 36 The Israelites set out whenever the cloud was taken up from the tabernacle throughout all the stages of their journey. 37 If the cloud was not taken up, they did not set out until the day it was taken up. 38 For the cloud of the Lord was over the tabernacle by day, and there was a fire inside the cloud by night, visible to the entire house of Israel throughout all the stages of their journey.

Through the Bible Readings: Leviticus 22-23, Mark 3:1–12, Psalm 27:1–4, Proverbs6:25-29

If you wish to read through the Bible in a year, follow these readings. 

Context 

Today's reading is long, but two passages, noted above, are the key. In the first, we see the importance of the Spirit's work in accomplishing the work of God. In the second, we see how obedience to all of God's commands were the key to the display of the glory of God.

We will never see God's glory and power displayed among us if we walk in disobedience.

Devotional: When 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.

 Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. And Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud settled 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?

"...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 walking in careful and persistent obedience to God in all things, or are you expecting God to display his power and presence in spite of the careless disobedience in your life?

Two Fresh Stones - February 21 Readings: Exodus 32-34, Faithfulness and Idolatry

The Story of the Bible from Creation to the Cross to Eternal Glory

In 72 daily readings, we will examine the overall story of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, seeking to get the big picture of God's work through Jesus Christ in this sinful world.

Today's Reading: Exodus 32-34

Through the Bible Readings: Leviticus 20-21, Mark 2, Psalm 26:4–12, Proverbs 6:23-24

If you wish to read through the Bible in a year, follow these readings. 

Context 

There are two overriding lessons we can learn from the history of Israel in the Old Testament. We see, first, the sad infidelity and idolatry of Israel. No matter how good God was, no matter how much love he showed, how much grace they received, how much of his power and presence they experienced, they were always quick to depart from loyalty, to break the law, to embrace other gods, and to be shaped by the peoples around them instead of by God. The bulk of the OT story covers a period around 1600 years (Abraham lives somewhere around 2000 BC and Malachi was written around 400 BC). In that 1600 years, the number of years that the people of God were walking in obedience was far and away the majority. More than half the time? Undoubtedly. Three-fourths? Probably more than that.

Yet, in spite of Israel's continuing unfaithfulness, God's love and mercy never failed. God disciplined them, sometimes harshly, but he never abandoned them. As Romans 11 says, his "gifts and calling are irrevocable." When God chooses and calls he never changes his mind.

The incident in Exodus 32-34 foreshadows the story of the OT. Moses is on the mountain receiving the tablets from God and down below the people are already turning to idolatry. They have, with Aaron's help, gathered their gold and cast a golden calf to worship. God dealt strongly with them - he does not mess around when he people turn to idols - but he also restored them, renewed them, and gave them another chance.

Devotional: Two Fresh Stones

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 to 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 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 to be an excuse for careless, unholy living. NEVER! 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 fresh 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:

Reflect on the faithfulness of Christ in your own life and thank him that your relationship with God depends on him and his faithfulness, not your merit.
Let that faithfulness motivate you to greater holiness and purity, not to careless living.

One Perfect Man - February 20 Readings: Exodus 20, The Law

The Story of the Bible from Creation to the Cross to Eternal Glory

In 72 daily readings, we will examine the overall story of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, seeking to get the big picture of God's work through Jesus Christ in this sinful world.

Today's Reading:  Exodus 20

Through the Bible Readings: Leviticus 18-19, Mark 1:21–45, Psalm 26:1–3, Proverbs 6:20-22

If you wish to read through the Bible in a year, follow these readings. 

Context 

The Law of God. The Ten Commandments. The one part of the Bible actually written by the very hand of God. The rest of God's word came through a human agency - God's Spirit worked within a human being to produce the perfect word. Here, all Moses did was carry the tablets with the Commandments down the hill. God wrote them in his own hand. 

The Law comes in three levels. Jesus told us that there were really only two laws. Love God with all your heart and love your neighbor as yourself. The Ten Commandments expand on these two laws. The first four commandments speak of loving God - putting him first, avoiding idols, honoring his name, and giving him time (the Sabbath). The next six tell us how to love one another. I haven't counted, but there are something like 650 specific laws in the Old Testament - each of which expands on one of the Ten laws which expand on the Two. Two become Ten become Many.

The New Testament teaching on the law has been often confused but is simple. The law is good and reveals truth, especially the character of God. The problem with the law is that we cannot keep it - we break it in word, deed, and in spirit. So, Jesus came and did what we could not - he perfectly kept the law and fulfilled it. 100%. Sinless. And then he paid for our lawbreaking, accepting the punishment for our failure on himself, giving us both forgiveness and the power to begin to walk in obedience to the Law of the Spirit which God writes on our hearts.

That is an important key here. In our day our "law" is the Spirit of God who writes the law on our hearts, who works from the inside out to enforce the Lordship of Christ and to bring us into conformity to the will of God.

The Spirit of God uses the Word of God to do the Work of God in the People of God.

Devotional: One Perfect Man

All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

That's what Romans 3:23 says. We are all sinners who have missed the mark, fallen short, failed to meet the standard. But what is that standard? What does God want from me?

I have a very detailed job description on file at the church. I don't know if every member understands my job description and I'm sure I fail it often, but if I want to know if I am doing my job all I have to do is pull out the list of expectations and check my performance against them. The standards are clear. Does God have such a standard?

He does. Clear and absolute. The standard is called the Ten Commandments. It is God's path to life. God is holy and pure and only those who are holy and pure can enter his presence eternally. God sets out exactly what our lives are supposed to look like if we want to please God and earn his favor.

All I have to do to earn eternal life is life according to the law. Of course, I have to meet the standard God has set. I must be perfect in obedience all of my life. James tells us if we break the law in one point we are guilty in all points. So, if I want to earn my way to heaven I must keep the law perfectly, without a single slip-up every single day of my life.

Of course, that ship sailed a long time ago. I was born under the curse of Adam's sin, inheriting the sin nature that is born in all humans. As soon as I was able to make choices, I chose sin. I lied. I disrespected my parents. I fought. And I was only warming up.

GUILTY!

I stand before God without a single plea, without an excuse for my sin. He gave a perfect law and I didn't just break it, I shattered it to pieces. I fell short of the glory of God and Romans 6:23 adds that the wages of sin is death. Dave Miller is a "dead man walking."

But Jesus didn't leave it like that. He came into the world as the Son of God and the Son of man and lived the life I couldn't live. He kept every law not only in word and deed but in his heart and mind. He was perfect and sinless. No sin, no death. Jesus had no sin-debt to pay God for his life, for his sin.

So having no debt of his own he offered to pay mine. He died my death and yours, suffered my hell and yours, paid my debt and yours, and endured my hell and yours. Having paid for our sins, he was buried and rose again on the third day and he offers life eternal to all who believe.

Jesus kept the law I couldn't keep. Jesus died the death I didn't want to die and paid the price that would have cost me eternal hell. Jesus rose again and gave me the life I couldn't earn. Jesus died the death I deserved and now I have the life he earned!

It's a pretty amazing thing, isn't it?

Thank you, Father, that a guilty man like me can have forgiveness, life, and eternal hope because Jesus paid it all, because he kept the law I broke. Thank you for grace when I could not earn heaven by the law. 

Think and Pray:

Remember who you are and what Christ did.
Thank him today for his grace and for the salvation he won for you by living a perfect life and dying in your place.

Winning the War - February 19 Readings: Exodus 15:22-17:16, God’s Power and Provision

The Story of the Bible from Creation to the Cross to Eternal Glory

In 72 daily readings, we will examine the overall story of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, seeking to get the big picture of God's work through Jesus Christ in this sinful world.

Today's Reading:  Exodus 15:22-17:16

Through the Bible Readings: Leviticus 16-17, Mark 1:1–20, Psalm 25:13–22, Proverbs6:16-19

If you wish to read through the Bible in a year, follow these readings. 

Context 

The Sea parted and Israel walked through on dry ground and there they were. Free at last. And thirsty. And hungry. And scared. As soon as Israel crossed the Red Sea God showed his power and provision to them, his faithfulness.

And Israel showed that they would consistently gripe, complain, and grumble about everything.

They were thirsty, so they complained. God turned the bitter water sweet.

They were hungry, so they complained. God sent manna.

They were thirsty again, and they complained again. God brought water from a rock (a picture of Christ, struck once and bringing forth streams of living water).

They encountered an enemy they couldn't defeat and they complained. God gave them victory.

These early stories show how God faithfully provided all that his redeemed people needed - in spite of their constant whining. 

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:

Do you complain when life is hard, or do you trust God and rely on him?
Which role do you most often play in the kingdom - the prayer-warrior, the supporter, or the front-lines battler?

Dangerous Faith - February 18 Readings: Exodus 14, The Exodus

The Story of the Bible from Creation to the Cross to Eternal Glory

In 72 daily readings, we will examine the overall story of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, seeking to get the big picture of God's work through Jesus Christ in this sinful world.

Today's Reading:  Exodus 14

Through the Bible Reading: Leviticus 14-15, Matthew 28, Psalm 25:6–12, Proverbs 6:12-15

If you wish to read through the Bible in a year, follow these readings. 

Context 

It is the most significant event of the Old Testament, the saving event which brought Israel out of Egypt, upon which all of God's commands to Israel are later based. "I am the God who brought you up out of Egypt, be holy..." "I am the God who brought you out of Egypt, worship me alone...." Praise, Obedience. Sacrifice. Worship. Devotion. Everything God demanded of Israel was rooted in the fact that he parted the Sea and brought them through on dry ground.

In the New Testament, it is God's saving act through Christ on the cross which parted the sea of sin and rescued us. As all of God's commands to Israel are rooted in the Exodus, all of God's work in us is rooted in the cross. We love because God loved us and demonstrated it at the cross. We worship at the foot of the cross and praise the Lamb who was slain. We walk in obedience to the Christ who gave himself for us at Calvary.

This was God's greatest Old Testament miracle because it was the most significant, the saving act, the one that broke the slavery of Israel and changed their existence. It took them from slavery to freedom and destroyed the armies of Pharaoh. 

Devotional: Dangerous Faith

Israel was in quite a fix.

On one side was the Red Sea, deep and wide. There was no way they could go around it, build a bridge over it, or swim through it. The sea blocked their way completely so there was no way the people could go forward.

Behind them, things were even worse as the armies of Egypt bore down on them with ferocity, determined to avenge themselves for the death of their firstborn sons. It was an angry band of soldiers who rode against Israel, a band of former slaves who were unarmed, untrained, and defenseless. Yes, it was quite a fix. The fledgling nation of Israel was doomed before it even got started. Sudden death was coming on them from behind and their way was blocked before them.

So, what did they do? They grumbled. They complained. They blamed Moses and they whined about their troubles. For some reason, a lot of God's people think that whining and complaining are Fruits of God's Spirit that are essential for life in God's kingdom. But they have never accomplished anything.

Instead of reacting to the whining and complaining of the people, God did something strange. He gave them a command, in verse 15.

Why do you cry to me? Tell the people of Israel to go forward.

Uh...um...excuse me, Lord. But there's a small problem - there's this large sea in front of us. But that was God's command. Go forward. In spite of the problems and obstacles. Disregarding the obstacles. Go forward in the power of the God who saves.

Of course, God had a plan. He told Moses to take his staff that represented the power of God and to stretch it out so that the power of God would be released and the sea would be parted. God already had a plan to part the sea but the people had to move forward before God would part the waters. The same thing would happen years later at the Jordan when God would tell the men carrying the Ark to step into the Jordan at flood stage and only then would God stop the river.

God calls us to obedient faith as a condition of the release of his power. We want God to display his power, open all the doors, knock down all the obstacles, and then we can walk through on dry ground. God tells us to move forward with only the promise of his power and then watch him work. They were to stand firm in their obedience and trust, move forward in faith, and then they would see the salvation of God.

At the root of all of God's great works is one thing we are almost never willing to do - risk everything in obedience to God. We want to play it safe. We like guarantees and safety. But God calls us to give it all up for him, to step into the water knowing that if he doesn't work we will be in deep (literally) trouble.

Could that be why we see so little of the power of God?

Father, Fill me with your grace, power, and strength. Help me to walk in faithful obedience, to go foward according to your call. 

Think and Pray:

Do you play it safe, or do you follow Christ wherever he leads?
When have you done something in obedience to God that was so risky that if God did not act in power, you would utterly fail?

A Picture of Christ's Death - February 17 Readings: Exodus 11-12, The Passover

The Story of the Bible from Creation to the Cross to Eternal Glory

In 72 daily readings, we will examine the overall story of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, seeking to get the big picture of God's work through Jesus Christ in this sinful world.

Today's Reading:  Exodus 11-12

Through the Bible Readings: Leviticus 12-13, Matthew 27:45–66, Psalm 25:1–5, Proverbs 6:9-11

If you wish to read through the Bible in a year, follow these readings. 

Context 

We do not have any pictures of Jesus Christ, but perhaps one of the best is in Exodus 11-12, the story of the Passover. There are so many lessons we can learn from the 10th Plague and the Passover celebration in Israel which point to the work of Christ and show us much about him. 

Devotional: A Picture of Christ's Death

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 is 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:

Think through the work of Christ and the power of the Blood. Give glory to God and thanks to the Savior.