january 24

exodus 20

This is where you find the Ten Commandments. It's amazing to think that in these few wrods, barely under 200, God completely defined the way humanity would forever relate to Him. That's why we need to obey. to connect, to relate to the Deity who created all of this. We are the capstone, the pinnacle of that creation, and our Creator wants to knowus and wants us to know Him. They aren't rules that bind us into slavery, they are instructions on how to live free, on how to live above the society of weakness and moral compromise that we are enmeshed in. This is not a religion of weak-minded or emotionally insecure. It is a path of strength and demand to which God calls us all to rise.

Father, in order to obtain perfect freedom, I willingly bind myself to Your Law.

january 20

exodus 8.10 - "Do it tomorrow!"

It's important to note that when the pharaoh made this statement, he was up to his ears in frogs. The plague of frogs had come from God to judge Egypt and apply spiritual leverage to convince the rebellious and stubborn king to allow the Hebrews to leave. In the moment, he decided that it wasn't worth a sea of frogs to keep the Hebrews in slavery. So he decides that he will let them go. But just to prove how great and powerful he thought he was, he tells Moses to wait a day to expel the frogs. The next day, the frogs are gone, and pharaoh changes his mind.

Obedience has to work right then and there. True obedience is immediate. God's words do not come lightly or casually. They are specific, with specific goals and exact timing. If God speaks, we need to obey it immediately.

Father, I want to obey, teach me how to know and when to do.

january 19

exodus 5.22 - "Our LORD, why have You brought so much trouble on Your people?"

As I read this, I realize something very important about Moses' relationship with God. He's allowed to say things like this. He knows God well enough to ask tough questions. He's confident enough of God's love to demand answers from Him. Not because Moses is so smart or such a great debater, but because he knows that God will answer and that the answer will be the right one. Not the easy one, not the happy one, not the best one, but always the right one.

exodus 6.1 - "Soon you will see what I will do to the king."

We can ask tough questions if we're ready for tough answers. It seems like insanity when you think about it. We don't like how God is directing our life or the universe, so as soon as something goes wrong or something happens that we don't understand, we bolt for the door. If I leave, I will miss the answer. The answer will only come if I stick around, if I press God and get ready for the inevitable and unchanging fact that the answer will come. It's like when you watch a movie you know stinks just so you can see how it ends. Sometime you have endure the part that is horrible to get the great scenes.

Father, help me stick to it, prepare my heart to be ready for your answers.