Exodus 6-You will be My people and I will be your God

Moses, deeply troubled, sought solace in consultation with God. The children of Israel refused to believe  the message that God had seen their distress and planned to deliver them from the tyranny of Pharaoh.  At first excited by the news, they had expected instant deliverance, which when it did not materialise, resulted in utter despair. They began to rationalise and blamed Moses and Aaron for  making their situation worse. They were content to be Pharaoh’s “servants”, yet God declared that they were  His “people” (Ex 5:1, Ex 5:15-16).

Neither Moses, nor the children of Israel knew the time-frame of the plan that God had set in motion. He planned not only to deliver Israel from Egypt, but also to answer Pharaoh’s defiance and   arrogance, showcasing His glory to all Egypt. Moses and Aaron had approached Pharaoh in Ex 5:1with a “Thus saith the LORD.”   Pharaoh regarded himself as the supreme authority, for he        responded in Ex 5:10 with a “Thus saith Pharaoh” when denying the Israelites straw to make bricks. His arrogant cry in Exodus 5:2 was as follows: “Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice and let Israel go? I do not know the LORD and, moreover, I will not let Israel go.”

God was about to answer Pharaoh’s arrogance. In Ex 6, He declares  “I am the LORD.” Neither the Israelites, nor the Egyptians knew the significance of His Name. The Patriarchs knew it at face value, but it’s significance they did not appreciate. God had revealed Himself to them as a God of Promise, a God of Covenant. Now, God planned to make it personal. His personal Name, Yahweh (translated LORD) was mentioned in Gen 2:4 for the first time, after the creation was completed; before then He was referred to just as “God”. God was about to reveal Himself to His people as the God of completion, the God of momentum, the God of deliverance, the God who doesn’t just make promises but keeps them! As for Pharaoh,  he would know the supremacy of God when he would personally be forced to let Israel go because of God’s great acts of judgment on Egypt (Ex 6:1-2).

God had a reason for extending his timeline of deliverance. It was in grace to the Egyptians that He did so, so that they would truly also get the opportunity to know Him. God desires that all people would know Him and experience the joy of being His people. He does not turn away anyone who chooses to come to Him. God wants to be your God, and you to be His people. Israel was to be a showcase to the nations, that they would leave behind their idols and follow the true God (Is 49:6).

Today, God through Jesus Christ His Son, is still calling in Matt 11:28: “Come to Me, all you who are heavy laden and I will give you rest.” God wants to show you personally what His Name means. He wants you to be free from the things that enslave you.  He desires to grant you eternal life and a new name. People may have labeled you and written you off, but God wants to claim you as His own. Satan wants to keep you his slave; God wants to make you His son/daughter. It’s your decision.

Will you answer God’s call today? (Rev 21:7, Rev 2:17).

Your Way, oh God, is in Your Sanctuary

I think of Your sanctuary

While journeying in the desert place;

It feels like an oasis in the vastness of the open space...

In the day the sun beats down on me

And in the night, the tempests roll;

The thought of Your Sanctuary keeps me warm in the cold...

Your way Oh God, is in Your Sanctuary!

Scene of everlasting Grace!

At the altar of sacrifice, where the Lamb took my place...

In your Sanctuary I am accepted, just as I am

Yet I am changed forever!

Washed clean by the Blood of the Lamb...

You have brought me to your Table

In the presence of my foes;

Bread of Heaven, your sufficiency I will know...

You put a light in my heart that cannot be quenched

Fuelled by your Spirit,  seven times perfect!

By Your unending Love, I know I am sent

To tell of Your Grace  in the Sanctuary above

Where Your Prayers are ascending

In the incense of Love,

Where Your Blood is the plea of mercy for me

Where the curtain is torn,  the obstructing veil gone!

Where You have freed me to approach the Throne NOW

With my cries of  anguish and my tears of joy

With a sense of wonder, basking in Your Glory;

Your Law stands forever, it’s the foundation of  Your Throne!

Your Way, oh God, is in Your  Sanctuary...

Scripture ref:  Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God?  (Psalm 77:13)

Exodus-Is this really deliverance?

The Israelites were standing on the brink of  deliverance, or so Moses thought. God had promised to deliver them from Egyptian slavery. The message of impending deliverance had been favourably received by the Israelites and an air of expectancy  enveloped the Israelite camp.

In the excitement of it all, Moses and Aaron had forgotten that God had already predicted Pharaoh's reaction in Ex 4:21. Pharaoh would not let the people leave, not until a great display of God’s power would force him to drive them from his land.

Exodus 5:1 calls God the “God of Israel”. He was the God of Israel (formerly Jacob), but now He identifies Himself as the God of Israel, a nation of slaves. Pharaoh's response to Moses and Aaron’s entreaty is one of sheer arrogance. “Who is the Lord that I should obey His voice and let Israel go? I do not know the Lord, and moreover I will not let Israel go.” As far as Pharaoh was concerned, he was the  ruling monarch in Egypt and his peopled revered and worshipped him as the son of god. Why should he submit to a god of a slave nation? After all, if  their God was so powerful, why did He let them become slaves in the first place? Pharaoh made the mistake of identifying Israel with their God. Israel may have been weak, broken down by slavery, but their God remained strong. Pharaoh had forgotten that the reason for their slavery was precisely because their God had blessed and multiplied them exceedingly!

Pharaoh's response to the request for release of the people of Israel was to increase their workload and refuse them assistance to gather supplies to meet their daily quotas.  They were no longer given straw to make bricks, but were dispersed across Egypt to look for their own straw with no commensurate reduction in their work quotas. The leaders of Israel were put to a test; their faith in God was tried and they were found wanting.  The magnificent cities in Egypt were silent testimonies that the Israelites were not lazy; they were being falsely accused by Pharaoh as an excuse for him to increase the intensity of their persecution.  Even Moses and Aaron were told harshly to “go back to work”.

The faith of the Israelite leaders took strain under  Egyptian abuse and they accused Moses and Aaron of “making them stink in the sight of Pharaoh.” Little did they realize that they had always been so in the sight of Pharaoh. It was easy to look with nostalgia at the past, calling it the “good old days” but they were ever really that good?

Deeply troubled, Moses went to God and questioned the reason for His sending him to Pharaoh. The disappointments in his commission did not drive him away from God, but rather made him run to Him for answers and solace.  In our day, there is precious little time to worship God. If we don’t make time, we  often find ourselves overwhelmed by work and the cares of this world, having neglected our daily devotions. As knowledge is increasing, people are scurrying to and fro, just as the prophet Daniel predicted.  Do not let satan use work, cares and the burdens of this life to distract you from worshipping God. It was his method of choice in Exodus, and it is now too. Let the Word of God sink into your heart and don’t let distractions choke it out of you. Deliverance may not be easy, but it is sure because God has promised it.

Scripture refs: Exodus 5, Luke 8:14

How to make the best of 2013

Having finally entered into the New Year, I decided it might be a fitting time to outline some tips on how we can make the best of 2013.  I hope you find them encouraging and helpful.

-Put God first in your life and seek Him for guidance in your decision - making. (Ps 119:105, Ps 37:23)

-Embrace a positive attitude and surround yourself with positive people of faith. (Num 13:30, Num 14:6-10)

-Decide on the legacy you would like to leave behind. Your legacy will impact on the vision you have for your future. Remember, legacies are not comprised solely of things of monetary value but rather the priceless treasures of eternity. (Prov 13:22, 1Pet 1:3-5, James 5:1-7, Luke 12:13-21)

-Write down your visions and break them down into manageable goals for the year. Break each goal down further into action plans for easy implementation. Set dates for each task to easily keep yourself on track. (Prov 29:18, Hab 2:2)

-Commit time in your schedule for the important things in life. Letting your busy schedule intrude into your devotional time is akin to spiritual suicide; it will negatively affect every other area of your life. (Matt 6:33)

-Next to God, the most important thing in your life is your family. Remember, a man’s wealth or happiness is not found in the multitude of material things he possesses. Commit uninterrupted time in your schedule for those you love. (Eph 5)

-You CAN say “No!” Count the cost every time  you overcommit. Delegate wisely. He who accepts help when he needs it, is wise. Only a foolish man attempts to do everything himself. (Eccles 4:9-10)

-Prioritize your tasks to ensure that you spend the most time on those that are most important. This will help you keep focused and prevent you from getting overwhelmed or unduly stressed.

-Don’t discount small beginnings. Remember what Jesus said about the mustard seed?(Matt 13:31-32, Lk 17:6)

-Celebrate your successes! Small goals achieved give you greater faith to tackle the bigger things in life.

- Learn from your failures and use them as stepping stones to success! Experience is a great teacher and trials result in patience and endurance. (James 1:1-3)

 -Take care of your health. Without it, you will not achieve anything you plan to accomplish. It is a precious gift of God often trivialized by the world and oftentimes only appreciated once it’s gone. Eat your veggies! Drink enough water. Work smart, so you can play hard! Remember to take 10,000 steps a day or carve out half an hour a day to exercise. Don’t over-indulge; although it may not seem serious, gluttony is a sin. (Is 58:3-8, 13, Prov 23:21)

-Resolve to use all your talents and to learn something new each day. (Matt 25:14-29, 1 Cor 12)

-Don’t look for faults in others, but focus on what YOU can control! Time spent gossiping is a waste of time! Don’t give the enemy room to plant the seed of hypocrisy in your life, because it will destroy your witness for Christ. Be true to God, and honest with yourself!(Lk 6:41-42)

PRAYER OF CONSECRATION FOR 2013

Our Father in Heaven, we once again come to Your  Throne through the powerful Name of Jesus, our Saviour. We thank You for the blessing of another year, but the reality is that we are sustained by You moment by moment. We don’t know what our future holds, but we know that You hold all things together and, being outside the boundaries of time, You know our future.

You have assured us in Your Word that Your Plans for us are good and You desire to prosper us and give us a good future. Help us to trust in You and not to be anxious; it is easier said than done most times.

Lord, we thank You for the many doors of opportunity You have already opened to Your children, and to those who are still seeking,  we know You have the perfect answer to their petitions.  Grant us the privilege and ability to be  channels of blessing to those around us. Give those who are seeking work a good employment, that they may not remain idle, for in idleness is greater temptation to sin.

Thank You for the blessing of Your continual Protection over us. May the wisdom of Your Word lead us like a lamp through the unknown challenges that await us this year.  Help us to remember that we will not be alone, for  You have promised to be with us always. Help us to keep close to You, that we may not be led astray by the many distractions of this world that clamour for our daily affections. Help us to set our hearts on You, the Root, the Branch, the reason for our very existence.

May Your Holy Spirit dwell within the hearts of all who profess Your Name this year. Make us more compassionate and less judgmental, more generous and less selfish, more like You. Consecrate us to Your service this year, and help us to truly be  ambassadors of Your Kingdom. Let this be our primary mission and may everything else pale in comparison.  Help us to discover the treasury of talents and gifts which You have bestowed upon every person, and help us to use them not for vainglory, but in Your service.  May Your Perfect Will unfold in every life this year, as we trust in Your unfailing Love. Your plans are always the best plans! In You, may  we experience Life, Liberty and Happiness.  Amen.

END OF THE YEAR OR END OF THE WORLD?

I have to laugh when I think that my last day at my current office, 21st December, has been hailed as the end of the world by some.

2012 has been a year of monumental change and transition. For many, it has been a year of anxiety as the Mayan long count calendar winds down. Will 21st December be just another day in the countdown to the end of another year, or will it mark the end of the world as we know it?

It is in times like these that we must turn to the Scriptures, the Living Word of God that never changes yet always remains relevant. The Bible is like a bulwark against the ravages of time and the uncertainty brought about by change. Like a star of gladness in a sea of uncertainty, it’s prophecies and history teach and instruct us in the ways and plans of God. Some are understandable, while others are shrouded in mystery. Like lanterns and torches in the hands of a lonely traveller, the Word of God lights the path-one step at a time-to the glorious Day.

What does the Bible say about the end of the world? In Matt 24, we find information about the signs leading up to the Coming of the Lord, which will mark the end of this present world. Many of these signs, we already see unfolding around us. Matt 24:36,42 contain the test of the faithful, making it clear that no one knows the exact time that Jesus will return so it is imperative that every Christian be in a state of perpetual readiness, awaiting the return of the King.

21st December will in all likelihood be just another day in the countdown to the end of just another year. The evening will mark the start of another Sabbath and we will close this Sabbath with the last church social of 2012, while the rest of the world finds itself all partied out, after the “end of the world” that never came…

I leave you with the words of Christ in Matt 28:20 -

“I AM with you always, even unto the end of the world…”

 This message was written on 15th December 2012.

Exodus-The Sign of the covenant

In Exodus 4:1-13, Moses debated with God over his suitability for the appointed task of leading Israel out of Egypt. Even after all the wonderful signs God gave him, Moses asked God to send someone else (v13).

The book of Exodus reveals the Lord as a compassionate God,  slow to anger and abundant in mercy, yet not to be taken advantage of  for He is also a consuming fire. The anger of  the Lord was kindled against Moses, yet God did not strike him dead. Instead He assigned Aaron, Moses’ brother to be a helper to him and a spokesman to the nation of Israel (v14-17).

From the time Moses was attracted to the burning bush, God spoke directly to him in a very personal way. It seems confusing then, that the very God who had so mightily commissioned him a little while before would seek to take his life as he made the arduous journey to  Egypt with his family (Ex 4:20-24).

Ex 4:25-26 reveals that it was Zipporah’s quick thinking in circumcising her son that saved  Moses, and appeased the Lord’s anger against him. Moses had been appointed to lead the nation of Israel out of Egypt. As a young boy born to Hebrew parents, he had no doubt been circumcised on the eighth day as was customary. However, being raised in the palace as Pharoah’s adopted son had caused him to be estranged to his own people and he had neglected to circumcise his own son.

Genesis 17:9-14 reveals the significance of the rite of circumcision. It was a sign of the everlasting covenant which God had made with Abraham. Verse 14 reveals that the uncircumcised man-child would be cut off  from his people for not carrying the sign of the covenant. God knew that  the nation of Israel would not accept a leader who would not circumcise his own son, so He made provision for Moses’ son to be circumcised. Moses would have no doubt in his mind regarding his place among the nation of Israel after the circumcision of his son. He no longer had a double identity; he could  no longer play “double-agent.” He  had a singular purpose to surrender to God’s Will and, by the power of  the Almighty, to lead the nation of Israel out of Egyptian slavery.

Circumcision was just the sign of the covenant, a means to an end and not the end in itself. It was an important sign to the nation of Israel, indicating their position as the people of God. It was not circumcision that made  them God’s people, but rather they were circumcised because God had chosen them for His very own. In the same way, God’s people  in this age must have their hearts “circumcised”, always  pliable to His commands. Although salvation is not obtained by obedience, but by acceptance of Christ’s atoning sacrifice, obedience to God’s commands reflects our love for the God who first loved us. Jesus said in John 14:15, “If you love me, keep my commandments.” Satan is against the people of God who keep God’s commandments and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

Scripture refs: Ex 4:1-26, Rev 12:17, John 14:15, 1 John 5:1-3, James 2:17-26