Always For Us!
BRD REFLECTIONS:
Exodus 33, 34 and Psalm 74 (NIV)
(Ng Su-Ran, Precept@Wesley Facilitator)
READ:
In Exodus 33, God said “I will send an angel before you, and I will drive out the Canaanites, the Amorites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites” (v2). He also said, “but I will not go up among you, lest I consume you on the way, for you are a stiff-necked people”.
The people mourned and repented (v4-6). When Moses went to the tent of meeting outside the camp to meet with God, the people would rise and worship (v7-10).
Moses pleaded on their behalf, God said “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest” (v14).
As Moses asked, “Is it not in your going with us, so that we are distinct, I and your people, from every other people on the face of the earth?” (v16).
OBSERVE:
The Israelites angered God by making and worshipping a golden calf (Exodus 32). This is despite having experienced God’s deliverance from Egypt and provision in the desert. Yet God was not about to renege on His promise to give them the land promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He would send His angel to go before them, though He would not go with them. He would not abandon them in the desert.
The Israelites mourned and repented. Moses met with God whilst the people worshipped Him. God relented and agreed that His presence would go with them.
And with God leading them, the Israelites would be a people distinct from the other peoples on the earth.
God never give up on the Israelites, though they were a stiff-necked people. He was always there for them, ever ready to forgive them and fulfil the covenant that He made with them.
APPLY:
I am reminded that though I may have disappointed and angered God many times, He does not give up on me. He keeps an eye on me and sends me help. He is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness (Exodus 34:6).
But I am also reminded that I should seek a closer relationship with Him, to speak with Him and to know His ways, that His presence may be with me.
As members of the church, the pillar and support of the truth (1 Timothy 3:15), His presence with us will set us apart, to point others the way to God.
DO:
I will be disciplined and set aside time daily to read His word, to spend time with Him in prayer, to quieten, to listen to Him, to practice Examen, to repent and seek His forgiveness.
PRAY:
Heavenly Father, I thank you for your patience, your mercy and steadfast love. Help me to earnestly seek to meet with you and to know your ways. Help me to become the person you want me to be. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
