- Amy Welborn
This gets my attention this morning:
* Exodus 33:11a, "Inside the Tent of Meeting, the Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend."
* Exodus 33:20, "But you (Moses) may not look directly at My face, for no one may see Me and live."
* What changed? It wasn't anything Moses did, it was the Israelites who made the golden calf while Moses was gone to Mt. Siani!
Why would the Israelites make the golden calf?
* Exodus 32:1-6 Moses was the only connection to God for them. When he was physically gone, they were looking for a replacement for Moses to connect to God. What's wrong with wanting to connect to God through someone or something?
* It is easy for me now to say that they have committed idolatry, but if I put myself in their shoes I would probably do the same thing :-( and I did!
* Four hundred years they were in Egypt, generations of Israelites were accustomed to the pagan culture - the only way to connect with gods was to create images of them!
I remember many, many years ago when my life (for six months) seemed to be ending because of the situation. I came to Jesus and asked for His help. One morning I was very upset, so I held onto a wooden cross to my chest and cried. My sister was with me and asked me, "Why are you holding onto the cross? Do you think Jesus is in the cross? Do you think the wooden cross can save you?"
What does the golden calf look like in my current circumstances?
I love how the Scripture tells me what God sounds like when He is mad because I can relate! He told Moses in Exodus 32:9-10, 33-34...
* These are your people, Moses!
* They make Me so mad I can destroy them so I can make you, Moses, into a nation!
* I am not going with your people, Moses, but I will send my angel to go before you!
Idolatry is a deadly sin in whatever form it may be! It separates me from my God...
* Exodus 32:25-28, "Moses saw that Aaron had let the people get completely out of control, much to the amusement of their enemies. So he stood at the entrance to the camp and shouted, “All of you who are on the Lord’s side, come here and join me.” And all the Levites gathered around him. Moses told them, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: Each of you, take your swords and go back and forth from one end of the camp to the other. Kill everyone—even your brothers, friends, and neighbors.” The Levites obeyed Moses’ command, and about 3,000 people died that day."
* Exodus 32:35, "Then the Lord sent a great plague upon the people because they had worshiped the calf Aaron had made."
* Exodus 33:20-23, "But you (Moses) may not look directly at My face, for no one may see Me and live.” The Lord continued, “Look, stand near Me on this rock. As My glorious presence passes by, I will hide you in the crevice of the rock and cover you with My hand until I have passed by. Then I will remove my hand and let you see Me from behind. But My face will not be seen.”
Merciful and gracious is the LORD, slow to anger and abounding in kindness. You will not always chide, nor do You keep Your wrath forever. Not according to my sins do You deal with me, nor do You requite me according to my crimes. For as the heavens are high above the earth, so surpassing is Your kindness toward those who fear You. Amen! (Psalm 103:8-11)
Amen. :)
Good Morning Living Faith Family.
I hope you have a blessed day. Keep him first and praying for our Living Faith Family.
Amen
Amen. Thank you Holy Father for this beautiful day and for this wonderful Gospel. Thank you Lord for my faith, my life and for my family. Thank you Holy Father most of all for your great sacrifice and for the opportunity of forgiveness and reconciliation. Please Lord have mercy. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ, now and forever. Amen
Thank you Thank you thank you
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Thank you Amy for your devotion.
Lord, open up our hearts and minds while we wait patiently for you to speak to us "face to face".
"God is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and of great kindness."
God Bless our Living Faith Family and continued prayers for all.