Unlikely Aid

Joshua 2:1-24

Now that Joshua was in command, he had to get to work. Using what he had learned from Moses and past experience with the people of Israel, he devised a plan to execute God's commands. Knowing how rebellious and fearful his people could be, he chose not to repeat the same mistake that left only himself and Caleb alive from the original group freed from Egypt to enter the Promised Land.

Rather than gathering a large group of people in a public forum to conduct some much-needed reconnaissance, he quietly chose two spies to do the work. Just as Moses had done with the previous group, however, he told them exactly what he needed them to look for - namely, the situation around Jericho. So the spies did as they were instructed.

But, how, you might ask, could Joshua possibly expect two spies to do the same work that twelve were sent to do previously? We see how poorly it turned out that time. At the same time, though, that is probably exactly what Joshua had in mind. If only two came back with accurate reports when 12 were sent, he may as well just send two good spies to start with.

Still, it's the same land, just years later; obviously a change in tactics would be required. This was especially true since, in all those years that passed, God had given the Israelites some miraculous victories over some daunting enemies. So, now they had a reputation. They could no longer just wander through the strange land barely detected, and certainly not untouched. They had to work smarter, not harder; doing more with less.

And that is where the prostitute comes in. Huh? Well, it seems that during that time, when you needed to get information without giving up too much, a brothel was the place to go. In this case, it was the home of Rahab. (Isn't it amazing the people God will use to do his work?) This clearly was God's work because: 1. how else would they just know where to find a prostitute right away, 2. what are the odds that a prostitute will know and fear God, and 3. even if those things were commonplace, how likely is it that this God-fearing prostitute would just happen to live in a place that provided the perfect escape route for the spies?

But God knows how to make things happen. He put all those things in place and made it possible for the spies to get the information they needed - that the land was truly theirs and the current inhabitants were terrified of them - and escape safely back to Joshua to report it. Not only that, he rewarded Rahab for her service and faithfulness to him through her assistance to the spies. He promised protection for her and her family when the land was taken. So, a prostitute helped God's people and God helped a prostitute.

Thank you, Lord, for your flexibility and creativity. Thank you for your ability to use anyone or anything at anytime to do what you need done. Thank you, God, for allowing us to be a part of that plan. Even with all our flaws and shortcomings, you still find a place for us in your Kingdom. Help us to not take that for granted, but to look for ways to be willing vessels for you. Help us to always go when you call and do what is right, regardless of the situation or outlook. Your love is amazing, God. Help us to return that love to you in every way possible. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Strength and Courage

Joshua 1:1-18

Moses had died and been buried; Joshua had been given his authority and responsibility. Now what? They were still in the wilderness, but just at the edge of the Jordan River. All they had to do was cross over and they would be in their Promised Land to live as God had said. And just as God had done for Moses, he provided Joshua with wise counsel and encouragement.

God gave Joshua his mission, to lead the people across the Jordan, and gave him encouragement to accomplish it - he promised to go with him. I can imagine how Joshua must have felt. He had been assisting Moses for the 40 years the Israelites were wandering through the wilderness. He had seen a few things, learned a few things and grown a lot, but now it was his turn. He knew it was coming; Moses had made the announcement, but now he actually had to step up and be the leader he had been preparing to be all those years.

That must have been at least a little bit unsettling. After all, he wasn't leading just any group of people to any old place. He was leading God's people to their Promised Land. There were still nations to be conquered and territory to be established, and he was in charge of the whole operation. But God spoke to him and confirmed his role. He promised to be there with him and not leave him - just as he did for Moses. That last part is important, because it gave him a frame of reference. God was very faithful to Moses and the Israelites under his leadership. So, that small qualifier was probably a huge relief for Joshua.

Then God gave him encouragement - be strong and courageous. Now, one might have considered this just a pat on the back as he walked out the door, or perhaps a courteous word as he starts his new job. Except for the fact that God said it three times! So, I'm guessing he really meant it. This new task was not going to be easy, so he really wanted to ingrain in Joshua that strength and courage would be required to accomplish his mission. And just to be sure he had it down, when Joshua went before the people to give them the instructions God had for them, the people told him the same thing! How's that for confirmation?

When God has something for us to do, he will tell us what it is, show us how to do it and stay with us to help us get it done. It may not always be something simple and he may not always give us all the instructions at once. But, we can rest assured that God will give us everything we need to succeed; it is his name on the line, not ours.

Thank you, Lord, for encouragement - for courage and strength. Thank you for reminding us of your faithfulness and preparing us to do your will. Help us, God, to do that in just the way you desire, so that you get all the glory. Go with us, Lord, as we accomplish the tasks you set for us, so we have no reason to doubt or fear. We will praise you along the way, all the way until you have fulfilled our victory. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Flawed Legacy

Deuteronomy 34:1-12

 The time had come for Moses' journey to end...as well as his life. He had overcome so many obstacles to get to the place in which he found himself when God came to him with a final word. At the ripe old age of 120 years, Moses climbed to the top of Mount Nebo at Pisgah Peak (this may be a bit of an assumption based on the way the text reads; v. 1). In any case, it was an amazing feat. Once he reached the top, he was able to see the entire land that God had promised him and his people. It was vast and, probably, lush since there were rivers and seas throughout.

God showed Moses all this, perhaps, because he wanted to assure him in his old age that he would keep his promises; or maybe since he just wanted to illustrate his point about obedience and faithfulness. For whatever reason, God brought Moses all the way up to the mountain top to get a good look at the Promised Land in all its glory, only to remind him he would never enter into it.

It seems cruel, but it's justice; God is a very just God...there's none more so than him. Remember that time when God told you to do something a certain way, but you did it the way you felt like doing it and you kind of got what you wanted, but it didn't turn out exactly the way you expected? The same was true here of Moses. Back in Numbers 20, God gave Moses a command in order to provide water for the people. But Moses didn't follow that command exactly...he modified it a bit. And therein lies the flaw.

Moses' legacy is still great, despite his shortcomings, but he did indeed have shortcomings. So instead of reading about how he courageously overcame his stuttering problem to speak boldly before God's people and lead them into the Promised Land, we read about his death outside of it. We learn that he was forced to pass his promise on to his descendants without partaking of it himself. All this, because of a flaw - in this case a fatal one - named disobedience.

It is important for us to understand that God has a wonderful and perfect plan for our lives. But it is more important for us to realize that in order to see the full execution and beauty of that plan, we must be obedient to him.

So, Lord, forgive us for our sins against you, ourselves and our fellow man. Please cleanse us from all unrighteousness as you promised us you would. Receive us again unto yourself when we repent, fully and honestly.Thank you for your love and support and provision in good times and bad. I love you, God and I want to please you in all things so I can enter into my promised land. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Passing The Baton

Deuteronomy 31:1-8

The time had arrived for Moses to step down as the leader of the Israelites, as his life was coming to a close and the time to enter the Promised Land approached. Because of his sin at Meribah, he would not be able to lead the people into the land. But God, again, had made provision for them. He did not leave his people without leadership as they made their way into their new homeland.

Moses reminded the people, one more time, of all the wonderful things God had done for them along their journey in explaining how he would continue to lead and protect them the rest of the way. He assured them that God would go ahead of them and clear the land of all their enemies, much like the way he had done in the past with other nations. Then they would be able to inhabit the land, with the remaining people, presumably, as their servants.

Then Moses took a very important step by introducing his successor to the people. Having gathered them all together, Moses called Joshua forward and encouraged him as he publicly passed on his role as the Israelite leader. This was so important because the Israelites were stubborn enough as it was. Can you imagine how much trouble Joshua would have had trying to get them to listen to or do anything had he not been endorsed to them by Moses? I just know it would have been a mess. Also, in doing so, he let the people know that God also had not abandoned them, even though he was taking Moses away. He made a promise and he was bound to keep it, despite their best efforts to the contrary.

God does the same thing for us today. As we move from trial to trial and glory to glory, God reminds of us his presence with us along the way. He carries us when we are weak, guides us when we are lost and chastens us when we are wrong. All this because of his love for us. He brings people in and out of our lives (and us in and out of the lives of others) to serve a purpose for a season - be it long or short. When the time comes, he moves that person aside and takes the reigns until another comes to take their place.

Lord, help us to be patient and faithful as we transition. Help us to remember that you are always with us and will never leave us nor forsake us. Even when we turn from you and try to go our own way, thank you, God, for your faithfulness to receive us again when we come to our senses. Give us the humility and love to respect and honor those that you set over us. Give us discernment to know when their guidance is from you or their selfish pride. Give us the courage to take a stand when we know what's right but are faced with wrongdoing. And lead us safely into our Promised Land as we follow your will faithfully. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Choose Life

Deuteronomy 30:1-20

God certainly knows his people. Not that they hadn't demonstrated their bullheadedness enough previously that a blind man could see it, but God knew they would continue in those ways too. He knew that even though they had just renewed their commitment to doing his will and obeying his covenant word, they would soon stray and fall victim to the curses contained therein. We know this because he didn't say 'if' you experience the blessings and curses, he said 'when'.

But God always has a plan; it's completed, we have but to walk it out. So, he - in his infinite grace and wisdom - had already determined to draw them back to himself when they repented. I can't help but notice, too, that he had already predestined their repentance as well. Surely that was not due to God's belief in the goodness of his creation. He knew that just as much as he created them in perfection, they were forever plagued to wallow in the consequences of Original Sin. But I have to believe it was due to the strength of his love. Despite their (our) faults, God's love remains faithful and strong enough to overcome any sin.

In fact, his love is so great that he not only promised to restore Israel to their prosperous state, but he would also give them even more and make them greater than their ancestors were. Certainly, there is no greater love than that! All they would have to do to receive the blessing, as usual, is obey. You would think with such a great reward, obedience would be much easier to execute. But, I am a witness that even the best intentions don't go unfettered because of sin.

So, God put the choice in their hands (he's such a gentleman, not pushy). Having laid out the options plainly, he told the Israelites to choose: life or death, blessings or curses, prosperity or disaster. He made it simple, understandable, doable, very well within their reach. He wanted them to succeed and prosper, and he wants the same for us. As Moses encouraged them, all they had to do was choose life.

Lord, in every situation, let me choose life. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Remember...To Be Faithful

Deuteronomy 29:1-29

 Sometimes, the mundane and routine activities of life can cause us to forget the spectacular and miraculous events that have been peppered throughout. This often seemed to be the case for the Israelites, usually causing them to slip into their bouts of rebellion, idol worship or laziness. This life-induced amnesia led them to become lax in their commitment to God and the covenant they had made with him.

This passage of Scripture presents the people of Israel with yet another reminder of God's miraculous and gracious provision, protection and love for them, while also calling them to renew their commitment to him. Moses gave them a refresher of all that God had done for them over the years, making note of the many wondrous things he had done which they had probably taken for granted, like wearing the same clothes and shoes for 40 years without needing to replace them. Have you ever gotten to that point? I know I have; when God has been just so good to me that I begin to feel and act like I'm entitled to his favor. Then he humbles me through some significant life event and I realize that I need to acknowledge his grace and return to my place in him.

That is what God wanted from the Israelites at this point. He wanted them to remember how they got to the point at which they were and give credit where credit was due. He wanted them to keep in mind that they were still his people and he was still their God and they should behave as such. Otherwise, they were destined to be utterly ruined - cursed by God, separated from him and his covenant in their generation and the next. In other words, when you know better, you must do better because the consequences for doing wrong when you know what's right are much greater than when you don't.

God, please forgive us when we go our own way, forsaking your will and guidance. Help us to acknowledge your ownership of our lives and honor you in word and in deed. Help us to not become haughty and self-indulgent; crediting ourselves for your works in and through us. Remind us, daily, of our covenant with you established through the blood of your son, Jesus, so that we will remain on the path you have set for us. Deliver us from the curses that come with pride and rebellion against you. Cover us with grace to faithfully serve you and praise you in every situation and condition. Help us remember to return to you the love you lavish on us constantly. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

All Power Is Subject To God

Numbers 22:5-38

 At this point in the story of the Israelites' journey through the wilderness, they were traveling north of Moab. The first generation, with a few exceptions, had died off and the new generation was pushing again to enter the Promised Land. Now at the border and prepared for entry, they were faced with opposition from neighboring nations.

Balak was the king of one such nation, Moab. He felt threatened by the sheer number of Israelites that were inhabiting the surrounding area. Moreover, he had heard of how they had conquered other nearby nations that had opposed them. So in an effort to protect his land and property, Balak sent for a sorcerer, Balaam, to put a curse on them, thereby providing protection. Balak offered handsome sums of money as payment for this service, but Balaam resisted his invitation.

Even though he was a sorcerer and operated through magic and divination, Balaam knew who God was and respected his power. So when Balak's messengers came to summons him, he told them to wait until he could consult with God about what he should do. When God told him not to curse his people, Israel, Balaam sent the messengers away. (Not that we didn't already know, but even the devil has to submit to the will of God.) But Balak was persistent and sent for Balaam again, this time offering more compensation.

Again, Balaam made them wait until he consulted with God. I can imagine that conversation went something like, 'Lord these people are back and offering me more money now. You know I'm want to do what you want me to do, but that's a lot to turn down. And they must really need my help since they came back all this way [about 400 miles] to get me, again'! Even when we know the right thing to do, temptation can be very strong to do otherwise.

But God, not missing an opportunity to get his point across, allowed him to go under the condition that he only did what God told him to do. This part is a little confusing to me. God told Balaam to go, he had a plan to get the glory out of the situation, but along the way he blocked the path. He sent an angel to stop Balaam's progress, but he was only visible to Balaam's donkey. The donkey responded naturally to the sight of God's sword-bearing angel in the road by turning aside. When Balaam beat him, he went further, but crushed Balaams foot against a wall trying to squeeze by the angel. For this he was beat again. When the angel made it impossible to pass, the donkey just laid down in place. The lesson there is that God can use many things, people, circumstances, etc. to guide and protect you along life's journey.

After this third stop, Balaam was completely undone and embarrassed and went to beat the donkey again only to have his donkey question his motives - out loud, in spoken words that he could understand. But here's the kicker, Balaam proceeded to have the conversation with his donkey! There is no mention of his questioning how that was possible or if he was really hearing and seeing this. Nope; he just answered the questions and got the revelation of God's presence in that moment. I can't say that I would have reacted that way in that situation. Though, I do see that God chose to use the most radical available means to get Balaam's attention. I have been there before.

That revelation caused him to repent. Though he was willing to return home from there, God instructed him to go on to see Balak, but only to say what he told him to say...again. Even though Balaam knew and respected God, he had demonic powers under which he normally operated. But when God stepped in, he had to yield to his will, much to the dismay of Balak.

It doesn't matter who we meet or what they offer, or even where we are in our walk, we must always recognize that there is no power greater than God's. Help us, Lord, to always remember that you are in control of everyone and everything - even those people and things that blatantly deny and defy you. Help us to submit to your will right away, not only to avoid destruction, but also to glorify you. Keep us on the right path and cause us to speak your will over every situation in our lives. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

A Glimpse Of Jesus

Numbers 21: 4-9

As the Israelites continued to wander through the wilderness, they also continued to operate in their cycle of faith-obedience-provision-lack of faith-disobedience-punishment. This passage describes yet another example of how quickly and easily they forgot all that God had done for them, and why they were in that situation in the first place. They had just seen many of their people slaughtered by the current inhabitants of their Promised Land as a direct result of disobedience to God. Yet, they continued in their cycle.

Here we see that they were on the move again, this time from Mount Hor on their way around Edom since they were not granted passage through there. Aaron had died and Moses had been forbidden to lead them into the Promised Land, both because of their disobedience. Now, because the route they were forced to take was so long, the Israelites began to complain, again, against God and Moses. Their lack of gratitude for the provision they did have provoked God to send poisonous snakes among them and many were bitten and died (v. 6).

Of course, this led them to repentance, although short-lived, and they pleaded with Moses to ask God to take them away. So Moses prayed and God rescued them, again; but not they way they had requested. God didn't take the snakes away. Instead, he provided a means of healing for anyone who was bitten in the form of a bronze snake mounted on a pole. Anyone who was bitten just had to look at the bronze snake and they would be healed.

That is exactly the way God distributes his grace to us today. He doesn't take away all the sins that we could get caught up in. He doesn't make all our situations better so that everything goes our way. Instead, he gave us Jesus; once and for all. Sin still exists and we are still subject to fall victim to it. But, if we just look to Jesus and his sacrifice on the cross, we can be delivered from it eternally. Just as the snake replica was mounted on the pole to give healing, Jesus took all our sins to the cross to bring salvation.

Thank you, God, for Jesus - our means of salvation and eternal life with you in heaven. Thank you for forgiving our sins, time and time again. Thank you for your provision, God, even when we don't deserve it. Please continue to show us your will as you strengthen our faith to follow the path you have set for us. Help us to not take your grace for granted and always honor you with our lives. Remind us to look to Christ for salvation and healing when we are surrounded and overwhelmed by the sins of the world; and not give in to temptation. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Too Little, Too Late

Numbers 14:5-45

We've already established that the Israelites were hard-headed, disobedient, fickle and generally just impossible to please. Unfortunately for them, the world was not created for them and didn't revolve around them. It was created by God, for God and everything in the world, including the Israelites, was made to be pleasing to God. But, they were too busy trying to make God please them.

There were so many things that God did for them as acts of mercy and kindness; things that spared their very lives and even made them better! Still, they found a reason to complain. This defiance at the edge of Canaan, though, was the last straw (of sorts). Honestly, how quickly do we get fed up with people - subordinates, children, etc. - when they don't do what we tell them; especially when what we tell them to do is for their own good?! God was so patient and so faithful. Had I been in his position dealing with these people, it would have been me and Moses on the way to the Promised Land a long time before this point. (I know I'm not the only one.)

Moses was patient, too. He fell victim to the Israelites' shadiness as the appointed leader. They complained to him and about him, threatened and tried to replace him, overthrow him, and even kill him. But every time they messed things up for themselves and God wanted to kill them, he pleaded for their lives. He stepped in and became their intercessors, their only advocate, but they didn't even seem to notice or care most of the time. They just went on living under grace as though they deserved it.

Finally, God said 'enough'! He was sick and tired of their arrogance and disobedience and faithlessness. Because Moses, who had remained faithful, asked him to, he spared their lives once again, but there was no way he was letting them go unpunished for this behavior. So he banned them from their Promised Land forever and condemned them to die in the wilderness. In other words, they got off easy, but they still paid for their transgressions. Of course, when Moses handed them their sentence, they were so sorry. They admitted that they were wrong and said they would do better; they were ready to go into the Land then.

But God said 'too little, too late'! Their deeds were done and his mind was made up. Through their protests and rebellion, they had forfeited their rights to even see the Promised Land. It would now be the privilege of their children to enter Canaan (because God keeps his promises). Caleb and Joshua were the only ones excluded from the ban (besides Moses and Aaron) because they trusted God and stood on his promise to them. Everyone else was bound to die in the wilderness. They tried to go forward anyway (still rebellious), and they paid for it with their lives at the hands of the Amalekites and Canaanites because God was not with them. They just didn't understand that it was only his power that made them great and allowed them to prosper at all.

Help us, Lord, to praise and glorify you for your work in our lives. Let us not take your love for us for granted or think we can do anything without you. Help us to be obedient right away and all the way, so we can receive the blessings and promises you have for us. Help us avoid the devastation and destruction that comes from disobedience. Let us be the ones to stand on your Word when everyone else is doubting and afraid. Thank you for your promises, Lord. Thank you for your patience with us when we falter. Thank you for your grace and mercy. Thank you for your love. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Blessing Blinders

Numbers 13:1 - 14:4

The Israelites had come through the wilderness following their escape from Egypt all by God's hand. Sure, they had some hiccups along the way, made some mistakes and got off track a bit, but they were well on their way now; literally just steps from their Promised Land. It had taken them a couple years to get their with all their en route missions and setbacks, but they had come so far and gotten so close. Now was the time for them to actually see the promise and explore it a little. They were given the opportunity to sample what wonderful things God had in store for them.

So, what went wrong? Why does the story of this journey cover so much time? God had provided them with everything they needed for their journey - even when they didn't deserve it. He commanded Moses to gather a group of 12 scouts, one from each tribe, to go and explore the land. He even told them exactly what to look for (13:17-20). And so they did; so far, so good. When they got to the land, Canaan, they found it to be just as the Lord had described - flowing with milk and honey, bountiful with enormous fruit and inhabited by giants. Again, just as the Lord had said.

And this is where they ran into trouble. Twelve scouts were sent to explore. Twelve scouts saw the great bounty and fruitfulness of the land, and 12 scouts saw the giant inhabitants there. Two scouts saw the promise, 10 saw the problems. What a difference perspective makes! With the exact same information, two different conclusions were drawn - one based on sight and the other on faith. Unfortunately for the Israelites, the majority held the sight-based opinion and set about spreading it amongst the people, creating and uproar.

This conclusion - that there was no way they could take the land, the giants were too intimidating and powerful, they would be viewed as grasshoppers and crushed - was based solely on what they saw. Oddly enough, the very sight that caused them to doubt and fear and lose faith was the source of their blindness to God's blessings for them. You would have thought that God had never done a thing for them, the way they reacted to their discovery. They were blinded to their blessings by what they saw. I wish I could say that I don't understand how they did that, but I can't; I've done it myself...several times.

But, all hope was not lost; let us not forget the two! When the people began to cry out and protest after receiving the negative report, Caleb took a stand. He tried to calm everyone down and rally them to proceed with the plan God had set in motion for them so many years ago. He had seen the same things the others had, but also remembered God. He remembered God's promise to them, protection of them, and provision for them. He saw that the giants were formidable, but his faith in God's ultimate power was greater. It left no room for fear and doubt!

In true Israelite style though, instead of reflecting on all the good God had done for them and believing that he would continue to do it, they chose to go along with the bad report and spent the night weeping and mourning and wishing they could go back to the land of their bondage. I can sympathize with their thought process and not wanting to move forward with a plan for fear of failure or defeat. What I don't get is their willingness to return to what they already knew for sure was worse. That just doesn't make sense to me. Not that one is better than the other, but if you're not going to move forward, certainly don't go back. The worst case scenario should consist of standing still (not in a sense of waiting for God - that can be a good thing, but in a place of stagnation).

Lord, strengthen our faith, cast our fear and remove all doubt from our hearts and minds. Show us your will, give us your guidance, then help us move forward boldly in your Spirit. Help us to give no thought to the naysayers and down-players, but always remember your Word and promises and faithfulness. Write it in our hearts and on our minds so that it's forever in the forefront, placing any situation in the right perspective - yours. Thank you, Lord, for your love. Thank you for your grace and mercy. And thank you for your will. Let it be done in our lives, in Jesus' name. Amen.

Respect For Leadership

Numbers 12:1-16

We may not always agree with the style or effectiveness or even the sincerity of those in leadership positions over us. There is nothing wrong with a difference of opinion, but one thing we must always do is respect that person's position. This is especially true if God puts them in that place. In this passage, we see very clearly why that is the case.

God has been around for a while, so he knows a few things about the world, life and anything else you might imagine. So when he puts people in charge of his children, we can rest assured that he has a purpose for it. That purpose may be to show us how not to live or behave, or how we used to be, or where we need to be. But there is no room for doubt that there is, indeed, a purpose and we should do all that we can under that leadership to glean from it what we can to help us grow.

When we try to buck the system and complain and antagonize and otherwise disrespect our leaders, then we are stepping outside the will of God and damaging the reflection of his character in our lives. That is what Miriam and Aaron did when they began to murmur and complain against Moses out of their own jealousy (recall Commandment 10; Exodus 20: 17). They didn't just come out and say what was on their minds, though. That might have lead to a reasonable resolution of their issues. Instead, they became nit picky, and petty - criticizing his Cushite wife.

But God heard them, I'm guessing from the inside out, and called the three of them together to get down to the real deal with them. He told Miriam and Aaron all about themselves and how wrong they were for speaking ill of their brother and leader; certainly after all that he had been through in getting them to the point at which they were. Then, since she was apparently the ring-leader, he struck Miriam with leprosy, forcing her out of the camp for seven days until she could be purified and return.

At the sight of that, of course, Aaron turned to Moses for help. Despite the backbiting they had just been caught committing against him, Moses pleaded with God for her instant healing. He may have had compassion because she was his sister, after all. Or, he may have just been that humble and forgiving. However, for whatever reason Moses interceded for Miriam, God was not satisfied with it. She had to learn the lesson and be the example for others.

It doesn't matter how great you think you are or how close you are to your leaders or their abilities, unless God gives you the assignment, it is not yours to have and you have no business trying to take over. Their are serious consequences for disrespecting God's chosen because that is effectively the same thing as disrespecting God. Even if you know for a fact that you are more intelligent or nicer or more talented or qualified than those set above you, your job remains to do the very best you can at your assignment and allow God to use you where you are. Otherwise, you may be removed from that place until you have been humbled and can get a better understanding of the big picture.

Lord, please help us to remain humble before you and the leaders you appoint over us. Help us to understand that whatever role we play is vital and relevant. Remind us, when we get too haughty, that every ability we have comes from you and we should be grateful. Please forgive us, Lord, for any sins we may have committed against you or our leaders. Help us to remain supportive of your will as you have given it to our leaders, and do our part to bring your vision to fruition. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Just As The Lord Had Commanded

Exodus 40:1-38

We oftentimes want God to do things for us or give things to us and we want it when we ask for it (or demand it) in just the way we imagine it, and that - we think - will make us feel blessed. But that sort of expectation is exactly the opposite of the way God really intends to bless us. In this passage, Moses and the Israelites are going about setting up the Tabernacle, in which God would dwell, to his exact specifications. Not a single detail was overlooked or modified to fit their convenience. The way God gave it to Moses was exactly the way it was done. That was the only way God would agree to stay with them.

Now this wasn't just God being picky or difficult. It was really a culmination of events that had brought the Israelites to this point and would prepare them for the things to come on their journey. It was a test of their obedience (of which we've seen quite a bit), a test of their faith, and a demonstration of God's commitment to his promise.

When God gives us instructions, he intends for us to follow them the way he gives them. If he tells us to fasten our seatbelt before we move our car from the driveway to the street, that's what we should do. He may want you to get in the habit of fastening your seatbelt before you drive anywhere, or he may know that a drunk driver will be headed your way while you're on your quick trip. We don't always know why, exactly, God tells us to do some things, but we can be confident that he always has a plan and it is for our good.

As we see in this Scripture, Moses was very meticulous about following every direction that God gave him regarding the Tabernacle. Not only was it important for the sake of obedience and faith, but it was a requirement in order to receive God's promised blessings. Not that we should only obey and trust God so that he will bless us, but we can't properly expect to be blessed if we are disobedient and lacking faith, now can we? God made a covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob to make a great nation of their descendents; to be their God and make them his people. All they had to do was worship him alone and obey his commands. Simple, right?

Lord, help me to be obedient to your will and fully believe your Word and every promise you have for me. Show me every detail that is important for me to know and increase my faith to execute them just as you command. Let me not take for granted the revelations you give me, or the guidance you drop into my spirit. Allow me to recognize them and act on them swiftly and carefully. Remind me, when I forget, that your will for my life is written in your love for me and I have no need to fear or doubt. Thank you, Lord, for your promises and your faithfulness. Please continue to bless and keep me as I earnestly strive to walk in the steps you have ordered for me. In your name, Jesus, I do pray. Amen.

How Quickly We Forget

Exodus 32:1-29

There are so many things we can identify with and learn from the Israelites in this single passage. Patience, faith, obedience, honesty - or the lack of any of those - and God's faithfulness to his character and promise. I have read this passage before, but as is the case with many passages of Scripture, I had a new perspective this time, a new revelation if you will. In spite of ourselves and despite our worst offenses, God is so good and merciful!

Case in point, the Israelites are at it again here. They were just reminded of how God had delivered them, and they had just agreed to follow his commandments. But while Moses was receiving further instructions for their journey to the Promised Land, they somehow lost their minds. That's how I see it, at least. Granted, he was gone for a while (forty days and forty nights; Ex 24:18), but it was for a purpose and they had no reason to think he would never return. However, for some reason, they became restless and their faith became weary.

So they asked Aaron to make an idol for them to worship. Huh? Why would they do that? They were so desperate to worship that they fell into sin. That tells me they were just going through the motions all along. I mean, honestly, if they truly had the faith in God that they claimed to have and agreed to live by, no other god would do. It would not have even been a thought. But there was more to it. Aside from the fact that they had just been witness to many miracles and signs of God's power and protection and favor toward them, they had also just been brought out of Egypt. That is to say that old habits are hard to break. Even though God was their god all along, their relationship wasn't necessarily pure. They were influenced by the religions of the land in which they had lived for so long. This does not excuse their indiscretion by any means; it just offers some justification for their thought process.

So, their lack of patience and faith led to their disobedience. No sooner than God gave them his law, they were already breaking the first two rules! I wonder if they even thought about those Commandments when they were making their demands of Aaron, or if they had really just completely tossed them to the wind in their hearts and minds. More importantly, as the leader on hand, did Aaron consider them? Either way, the fact that he went along with it was a problem. He was the second in command, appointed to help Moses lead the Israelites in the way God wanted them to go. And with as little as a pressured request, Aaron abandoned his station as the example. He should have reminded them of their covenant and the Commandments and warned them of the consequences of disobeying. But he did not; he caved right in and then had the audacity to lie about what happened!

That part of the story reminds me of one of those "see, what had happened was..." moments. I don't know if the Hebrews realized they were doing wrong or thought they could get away with it, but God is God; he knows everything. He knew the people were sinning - making idols and "worshipping" them through immoral acts. So, he sent Moses back down the mountain to to get them straight before he killed them...literally. Moses' first thought and response to God was something like "It don't take all that"! But when he saw for himself what God had already seen and told him, even he was kindled with anger. When he asked Aaron what happened, he was given one of the lamest excuses I have ever heard. Essentially, his response was "it just happened". Really? You threw some gold earrings in a fire and a calf just emerged all by itself?

I'm guessing Moses wasn't buying it any more than I did, which is why he ordered the people to make a decision. Choose a side: God's or the idols'. It was really too bad for those that chose the wrong side; they received the justice that God initially wanted to administer to all of them - death. However, although he is a jealous God, his mercy is unfailing so he spared those that repented and chose to follow him. After all, he had made a promise to make a great nation of these people, even if they were stubborn and short-sighted.

The unfortunate reality of this story is that it is not just a historical account of one more time the Israelites messed up. It is also an early example of how we (Christians) behave today. We are constantly reminded of God's love for us, his commandments and his justice, yet we still get out of line and ahead of ourselves and try to do things our way, rather than his. And, if it weren't for grace through Jesus' blood, many of us would be dead and gone by now.

So I pray God, that you remind me often of your will and your commandments so they are always in the forefront of my mind. Help me not to lose patience while I wait on your promise to be fulfilled in my life. Keep me from desperation and disobedience. Cover me in your grace. Show me my idols so I can rid myself of them; give me the strength and determination to love you more...the most. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Love In The Law

Exodus 20:1-22

Has your parent or caregiver ever said to you something along the lines of, "I'm only doing this because I love you"? Well, that is pretty much what happens here between God and the Israelites. Now that he has them at their sacred meeting place, and reminded them of who he is and why they should obey him, God is ready to speak to his people. Having agreed to follow his commandments without any exceptions or hint of what those commandments might be, the Israelites surely must have been on pins and needles waiting to hear from the Lord. Not to mention, they were about to hear from the Lord - directly!

So, in a way that only God can, he descended on Mount Sinai in flames and smoke with thunder and lightning in order to give the people his commandments. There were only ten of them, but they covered a multitude of sins. (That sounds familiar; Jesus' blood) Though there were few, they were tough, especially considering where the Hebrews has recently come from. After living for so many years in Egypt among polygamists and idol-worshippers, and probably feeling distant from - if not neglected by - the only true God, there must have been some pretty significant influence between the two cultures and spiritual practices.

In order to get them back on the right track and ensure their ability to reach their appointed destination, God gave them his commandments to govern their daily lives (vv. 3-17). Beyond the fear and trembling evoked by the power of God speaking to the people, I can imagine that once they heard what it was they would have to do (or not do) from that point on, many of them may have been even more fearful or perhaps frustrated. After all, hadn't they struggled enough to get to that point and now they have to modify their lifestyle. What if they couldn't live up to the expectation? What if they failed? What if they just didn't feel like being obedient at some time?

That is why God approached them, and in such a forceful way. He spoke to them directly because he cared about their well-being. It was that important to him and for them, that he gave them direction himself. Moses was there to mediate and remind them why God brought them there, but God had a plan and he needed the Israelites to understand the gravity of it. And yes, the commandments were restrictive in some ways, but they were intended to keep peace, unity and love in his relationship with the Israelites and their relationships with each other.

That is the way God loves - wholly, justly, and unconditionally - even though it sometimes hurts. The benefits far outweigh the costs, though, when we choose God's way over the ways of the world. So my prayer today is that I will continue to go God's way, even when my way or the world's way looks so much better and seems so much easier. God, give me the strength to serve you and only you as my God and the wisdom to avoid idolizing anyone or anything. Guard my tongue so I don't use your name in vain. Remind me to honor you with my time and not let the minutia of my days overshadow the importance of quality time with you. Show me how to honor my parents more and be a blessing to them in the same way you have provided them as a blessing to me. Lord, please guard my heart and mind and keep me from evil and lustful thoughts and deeds. Help me to love, Lord; you first, and then my fellow man. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Obedient Or Not

Exodus 19:1-25

Will you trust God, or not? Will you do what he says, or not? Will you give him your all, or not? That was the choice God put to the Israelites as they continued on their journey through the wilderness. They had just reached Mount Sinai, which historically was a very holy place for them. It was here that God chose to speak to the people and confirm their commitment to his plan for their lives. He didn't give all the details or even say what the next step would be, but he did share with them his vision. It was for them to be his own special, holy nation; a kingdom of priests (vv.5-6)

Now God knows his creation, so before he charged them with such a monumental task, he reminded them of all he had done for them in the recent past. He reflected on how he brought them out of Egypt and defeated Pharaoh and his army on their behalf. He sweetened the deal a bit, so to speak, to help them make the right decision. Obey him fully, even if blindly, and receive his blessings; or not, and struggle through life without his special care. (Those of you familiar with the story know that what the Hebrews said was not always what they did; surely everyone can relate to that.)

So before he told them one word of what would be required of them as his chosen nation, the Israelites had to agree to do those things. Fortunately, they made the right choice and agreed; but, like I said, just because the Hebrews said it didn't mean that is what would happen. Of course, God knew this better than anyone so, again, before he revealed himself to the people from the mountain top, he called Moses up and told him to go remind the people of his warning (not to pass the boundaries set around the mountain) lest they be put to death (v.12).

I imagine Moses only complained about the directive because it would require him to go all the way back down the mountain and come all the way back up again. Surely, he could not have really thought they did not need the reminder. As much grief as those people had given him along that journey, you would think he would want to post signs and guards to keep them from getting out of line. Once he was done protesting, he did what God told him to do - go down warn the people again and bring Aaron back with him.

The funny thing about this chapter is that it reminds me of the way things are today. Honestly, how many of us, when told by God - or even man for that matter - to do something without being given all the details just hop to? At the very least, I know I'll have some questions as I'm on my way to do whatever it may be. But as stubborn as the Israelites had been, they went right along with it. Conversely, as obedient as Moses had been, he pushed back a little. The thing is, though, that everything God requires of us is for his glory and our good. Disobedience can only bring turmoil and strife, making things much more difficult than they need to be.

So I pray, God, please help me to obey swiftly and wholeheartedly when you tell me to go, do, say, believe or whatever the case may be. Bridle my tongue and harness my mind so I don't question the goodness of your will for me. Help me to be consistent and sincere in all things pertaining to you. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Testimony and Wise Counsel

Exodus 18:1-27

There is a very important major theme in today's passage, but before I get to that, I want to point out another equally important concept that was presented briefly. That is the importance of sharing your testimony. God does so many wonderful and awesome things for his people all the time. It is our duty as his faithful followers and servants to tell people about those things. Not only that, but we should tell of our blessings in a way that expresses how they are simply a manifestation of his Word in our lives; how the principles behind our victories are, in fact, the will of God.

Further, your audience should not be limited to other Christians or lost strangers, but should include those close to you, i.e. family and friends, who need to hear the Gospel. This is a tough one for me in some cases because I have always been "the baby" of the family. So, it feels a bit awkward and uncomfortable for me to speak to my elders with the type of authority that sharing my testimony naturally invokes. That is not necessarily the case with those younger than me or my peers, but I have been known to bite my tongue when I should speak up. (We'll pray on that.) That was not the case with Moses in this Scripture. He gladly told his father-in-law, Jethro - the priest of Midian, about all he and the Israelites had been through and how God had repeatedly delivered them.

The best part of that section of the story, though, is Jethro's response to Moses' testimony. He praised God with Moses, and for him. His faith was increased and he believed that God was the most powerful of any gods and he worshiped him through sacrifices. How many people's lives could be changed forever if we would just share our testimony with them?

Then it was time for Jethro to return the favor, so to speak (here's the major theme). As he watched Moses conduct his daily business of mediating for the people, Jethro noticed that his methods were less than ideal so he offered him some wise counsel. He told him that taking on all the Hebrews' burdens himself was not only inefficient, but would eventually burn him out rendering him ineffective as well. Therefore, he advised him to delegate some of that responsibility (recall my points on learning from the good example of our leaders).

What was so wise about this counsel? Well, the obvious reason is that it made sense; in order to get the work done right without having to do it all yourself, you have to have good help. But, the key ingredient to this wisdom was Jethro's caveat, "if God commands you to do so" (v. 23). In other words, good advice does not equal wise counsel unless it is in line with God's will for you. We have to be able to identify and receive wise counsel when it is offered. Then, we have to be wise enough, as Moses was, to put it into action.

I pray, today, that I will recognize opportunities to share my faith, my witness, my testimony with others when they present themselves. Lord, give me holy boldness to say what is in my heart to anyone who needs to hear it. Give me the words, Lord, that will touch their hearts the way you intend. Surround me with people who will contribute to my relationship with you; who can offer wise counsel when I get too wrapped up in my own efforts to see the error of my ways. Help me to receive it with an open heart and mind and put it to good use. Thank you, Lord, for your deliverance, protection, wisdom and love. Help me to continue in them as I grow closer to you. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Patient Father

Exodus 16:1-36

I don't have any children of my own, but I have worked with children and I have four nephews. And, as much as I love children for all the joy and creativity and love that they have to share, they can sometimes be annoying. This is most especially true when they are whiny and disobedient. Today's passage tells of the children of Israel behaving this very way and how gracious God was in dealing with them.

We have already established that the Israelites had some issues - personal problems, if you will. They complained when they were captive, they complained when they were freed; they blamed Pharaoh during their captivity and Moses in their freedom. It seemed as though no situation was good enough; regardless of the fact that their situation was exactly what they had prayed for (sound familiar? - it does to me). They were a tough crowd to please to say the least. Now we begin to see, even more so, just how true that statement is.

Moses had led them out of captivity in Egypt, miraculously across the Red Sea, through the desert - providing them purified water, to an oasis to rest before moving to another desert- giving them water from a rock, and now to the wilderness. Moses ensured the people were aware and thankful that God had made a way for all these provisions through him and when things were good, they worshiped and praised God. But when things weren't good...Moses and Aaron probably had to sleep with one eye opened. The Hebrews were brutal when they were uncomfortable or unhappy; just like whiny babies.

But God did not respond as I may occasionally when children in my care get fussy. No, he did not send them away or tell them to stop whining with the threat of not receiving anything else. Instead, in the way that only he can, he gave them what they needed and wanted. When freedom, water and rest were not enough, God gave the Hebrews food. He just sent it right down from heaven; all they had to do was pick it up and prepare it however they liked. All he asked was that they only take what they needed for each day and eat all that they took, except on the sixth day when they gathered two day's worth to provide for the Sabbath, i.e. more rest.

God sent quails and manna and they loved it - they didn't know exactly what the manna was, but it tasted good and it came from God so who cared - and they were even thankful for it. But the Bible would read a lot differently today had that been enough for them. Of course, they had to break the couple of rules that God put in place for their benefit. God said use all you gather each of the first five days, but some of the Israelites tried to save some. Obviously, that did not turn out well for them; it stank and became worm-infested. He told them not to gather on the seventh day, but to honor it as the Sabbath, but they went out looking for provision that was not there.

But God, in his infinite patience with his beloved chosen nation, simply reiterated to Moses that the day of rest was his gift to them and should not be taken for granted. Then, he even provided a reminder for them and future generations in case they began to stray again. That is not the way I tend to deal with disobedient children...there is usually very little talking going on. But, perhaps I should more often, especially when there is an opportunity to learn from the situation. In this case, God not only provided for his children, but he provided for their children and their children's children by making sure they learned the lesson from their disobedience and passed it down through the generations.

So I pray, God, that you keep me from whining and disobedience and help me to see your provision for my circumstance. Help me to be as patient with others as you are with me. Remind me to always seek your face in times of need and praise you in the good times and the bad. Keep it in the forefront of my mind that hard times are but opportunities for you to reveal your power in my life and there is no need to fear because you are always with me. Help me to love as you love and care as you care, looking beyond obvious faults to see hidden needs. Thank you, Lord, for your Word. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Toxic Followers

Exodus 15:22-27; 17:1-7

At a time when so many leaders, public figures, role models, et cetera are being exposed and taken to task for their indiscretions, immoral actions and corruption, toxic leadership has become seemingly commonplace. But what about toxic followers? That crowd is not often put in the hot seat or held responsible for their actions. In fact, many may think I just made up that term, myself included. But it is a very real population. So, who are toxic followers? Well, I'm glad you asked.

Today's Scripture gives the perfect example of toxic followers, i.e. the children of Israel in the wilderness. What made them toxic? There are a few things. First, they often blamed their leadership for their personal situation. Regardless of whether that situation was purely circumstantial or environmental, they were quick to point their finger at Moses. Next, they obviously did not pay enough attention to their leadership to learn and grow. A good leader will provide guidance and information - and wisdom if you're fortunate - creating an atmosphere for growth and development of their followers. Good followers will utilize that resource to its full potential, gleaning as much as possible and reflecting on how what they learn can be used to improve. This was not the case with the Hebrews. Had they been good followers, they would have recognized that every adverse situation they faced was turned into an opportunity for God to show his power and favor toward them.

Third, and in the same vein as the previous points, they did not take initiative to further their leader's vision. Instead of accepting responsibility and learning good practices from their leadership in order to apply them later for themselves, the Israelites followed blindly with misdirected motivations. Granted, God had spoken directly to Moses and appointed him and his older brother, Aaron, to lead the people to the promised land. However, God chose all the people as his own. That is to say, when things got hard, there was nothing stopping them from praying to God themselves - even if only to ask for guidance for and from their leaders. Moses may have had the direct access to God, but the people had the priests. Instead of grumbling and complaining about their situation, only to make it worse, they could have contributed to the solution by praying. That's what Moses always ended up doing anyway. But the Hebrews weren't paying attention; they had to be told to pray and worship and sacrifice in order to do it...no initiative.

The same is true today. I will admit that I have been guilty of that mindset and am still fully susceptible to it. What it looks like today is Sunday Christians. You know, the ones who go to church on Sunday and that is the beginning and end of their Christian walk. (If I am talking about you, refer back to my introductory note about chastisement.) It is the more dedicated Christian who participates in ministries or services, other than on Sunday, but does not have a consistent personal prayer or Bible study practice. Or, perhaps, the fairly mature Christian who studies and prays regularly and effectively, but only fasts corporately or is slow to submit to the guidance of the Holy Spirit in tough situations. There are so many other examples of toxic followers today and just not enough time or space to lay them all out. I'm sure there are many that I have not even heard of or witnessed, but are just as evident and detrimental to the spread of the Gospel.

The point, I guess, is that being a good follower is just as important as having a good leader to follow. Otherwise, even with the best leadership in the world, you will find yourself going through the same trials over and over again, looking for someone to blame for your plight and not knowing what to do to make it better when you really have all the tools you need. Toxic leaders are a fact of life, but good followers can counteract their negative effects and become good leaders themselves (spoiler alert: we'll see that later on in this story).

So my prayer today is for our leaders and followers. Help us, Lord, to be all that you have called us to be and nothing less. Help us to not complain about our situations and blame others for them, but help us to look to you for guidance through it. Remind us to keep our leaders lifted up to you so that they operate in your wisdom. Show us our faults and lead us to repentance so we can grow in knowledge of your truth. Stay with us, Lord, and help us to always choose to stay with you. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Ever-Present, And Yet There Is Doubt

Exodus 13:17-14:31

Today's passage presented The Exodus; the flight of the Israelites from Egypt as orchestrated by God. As the Israelites were packing their bags and collecting the riches of the Egyptians, they were so overjoyed to finally be leaving their place of bondage. I imagine they moved hurriedly with some anxiety, but mostly joy and excitement. The deliverance they had long-since been promised had finally arrived. They probably knew there was a shorter way to get to their promised land than the route on which they were led, but God made his presence known through a pillar of cloud in the day and a pillar of fire at night, so they were fine. They would be fine in the wilderness...they were finally free!

I would like to pause here for a moment to reflect on one point that I have heard before and learned well, but never really paid attention to until today. God led them by a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night (13:20). Really!? What must that have been like? I know things have changed significantly in the thousands of years between this event and today, but my goodness. I'm awestruck when God manifests himself in a close parking space when I'm late for work! Can you imagine the wonder of this theophany?! The pillars must have been of great magnitude to be visible to all the children of Israel being led by them (around two million by some estimations). At the same time, they must have been some distance away to keep them moving in the right direction and protect them from being exposed to the full power of God's glory - a fatal force. And the Hebrews followed, albeit as instructed, as though it was perfectly normal; a small thing! But, I digress...

The Hebrews were freed from slavery in Egypt and God was leading them through the wilderness to their Promised Land - awesome, awesome and awesome. And then came Pharaoh and his army. Not having had enough with the ten plagues and suddenly faced with the problem of replacing his free labor, Pharaoh decided the Israelites needed to come back. Somehow, he was made aware that they were traveling through the wilderness anyway; surely recapturing them would be a cinch. But God. The army charged closer and closer, pressing the Hebrews against the Red Sea. Here's the kicker (not the climax, but still interesting): the pillar, i.e. God, moved from in front of the Hebrews to behind them, shielding them from Egyptians and yet they still succumbed to fear and doubt.

Why is that? Why is it that when God is making his presence and interaction in our lives perfectly clear, we still question him? Is it that we don't believe he can handle our situation? Or maybe we know that he can, we're just not quite sure he will. Whatever the reason, there is really no need for doubt when it comes to God (talking to myself). It takes but a quick review of recent events to remind ourselves how good God is and how his grace is always sufficient. But they grumbled and complained to Moses; blamed him for their "demise". So Moses prayed. It's a noble response; something I might do myself in a tough situation. But God didn't see it that way this time. He had already given Moses all the instruction and tools he needed to handle this, so he told him to put his faith to work (14:15-16).

God asking his child why he is praying seems wrong at first glance, but there was a point to the question. Praying for help is good and right, but when God provides and we continue to pray for his provision, then we are operating in doubt or denial. When we seek God's help, we have to be ready for his assistance. It may not look like what we wanted or expected, but God knows best what we truly need. Once Moses got that reminder, he lifted his rod, God parted the sea and the Hebrews crossed safely and watched the Egyptians drown as God closed it up again.

My prayer today is that my faith be strong enough to cast our fear and doubt. That my actions be evidence of that faith and that the two build upon each other...greater faith to yield greater works. Lord, help me to see that you are always with me, no matter my situation, and I can always depend on you for guidance and protection. Thank you for your love and wisdom. Thank you for your mercy and grace. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Freedom

"Chains" Kirk Franklin

I woke up this morning with this song in my head. This is probably because the dance/mime team will be ministering to it tomorrow morning, so I have been listening to it non-stop in preparation. I decided to share, though, because it happens to be very fitting for today's note.

Some additional background information: My daily studies are primarily from the "365-Day Reading Plan" of my Life Application Study Bible (NLT). Today is day 40 for me, in case you want to read along. I like this plan because it tells the whole story even though it doesn't include all the Scriptures. I sometimes want to read ahead because the subject is so engaging, but I refrain in an effort to maintain discipline and focus. However, I also occasionally read the omitted passages for further elucidation or general knowledge and understanding.

Exodus 11:1-10; 12:29-36
In case you're not familiar, this passage talks about the plague of the death of the Egyptians' first-born sons and how that led to the release of the Hebrew slaves. As in the song, "Chains", the Hebrews were tired of dealing with their oppression - which seemed to be worsening the more they struggled against it following Moses' lead. They had resentment toward Pharaoh, the Egyptian taskmasters, and Moses and Aaron. All understandably so. But God was "finally" coming through for them. They had been beaten and overworked and promised freedom for so long with no clear evidence of its arrival, but this last plague, the death of Egypt's first-borns was their golden ticket, of sorts. It was too much for Pharaoh to ignore this time (at least for a while, as I'm sure we'll read later).

The impact on Pharaoh, oddly enough, is actually what has struck me today. It's fairly obvious to see how the Israelites were freed in this situation; they were no longer slaves, released from their torturous lives of bondage to go into the wilderness and openly worship their God. But Pharaoh was freed, too; from his hardened heart, and the task of enslaving an entire nation of people, and denying the power of God.

It reminds me of my current situation at work. The analogy may seem like a bit of a stretch, but it feels like history on repeat for me. In my office, there are insiders and outsiders. The insiders are the head shed and their favorites of my peers (a handful of people total). The rest of us, about twice that number, are the outsiders. We are from all walks of life, doing different jobs within our organization, but none of us are good enough - for one reason or another - to be included in their clique. As an outsider, I feel like a slave in my office; subject to the emotional and situational whim of the insiders (only one of whom I actually work for). But it occurs to me, through this passage, that by doing so much to make my life and those of my "outsider" peers so miserable, they're actually keeping themselves in bondage. The more they keep tabs and nitpick and nag, and the more self-serving plans they make for the group without so much as a heads-up, the more they entangle themselves in the chains of bondage to us.

So I pray, then, for their freedom; for their own sakes as well as mine (ours). I have never desired to be bound to anyone in such a manner and they don't seem to realize how much self-destruction they are subjecting themselves to. Just like Pharaoh continued to be subject to the plagues as long as he held the Hebrews captive. Open their eyes, Lord, and help them see the error of their ways. Soften my heart, to allow me to forgive. Help me rise above and keep my eyes, my mind, my heart set on you as I struggle, in this situation, to continue to be a light for you. And, please God, set us all free from these chains. Amen.

New Effort

So, this is my attempt to try something new to get different results...better results.

I am currently in a place of spiritual growth - which doesn't come as easily as one might think or hope - but I would like to continue on this path rather than stagnate. Hence this blog. I have never really been interested in creating my own prose of this sort in the past. Early attempts at diary and journal keeping generally ended after a few months at best. But, I had different motivations and topics to chronicle then; and that was many, many years ago.

My goal here is to generate a portable forum for meditation and accountability pertaining to my daily study of God's Word. I am often far away, or otherwise removed, from my natural and long-standing support system and constantly forced to create new and different spiritual anchors. So it becomes difficult to remain consistent in my walk, in my reading and study, in my prayer and meditation.

Ironically, though, God has been the one constant in my ever-changing life. No matter where I've been or what I've done, He has always been there with me (for better or worse) and I want to honor His faithfulness to me with faithfulness to Him.

So as I read my Bible daily and open my heart to receive its meaning for my life and ministry, I will attempt to share my revelations here. It will be for me, for you (the reader) and anyone who may eventually be reached by what is shared. The purpose is growth, accountability and wisdom.

This is not a forum for judgement. Whatever is written is done with purely positive intent and may sometimes be useful only to me. I tend to be an open book anyway, so I have no problem sharing my faults. I do, however, have a problem with use of good for evil (but God will handle that, now won't He?). So feel free to comment, encourage, chastise, illuminate, clarify, even question; all I ask is that you not do so judgementally.

I guess that is enough for introduction. Come and walk with me...Along His Way.