I decided late last year that I wanted to do more bible readings in 2015 and I thought I would connect with Donna Reidland over at Soul Survival and do the readings with her through her daily plan.
So far so good, I have been enjoying reading through with her and then reading her commentary. It has been a blessing and I have felt focused on the scripture instead of trying to do it by myself.
I’m up to Exodus now and the children of Israel have left Egypt, gone through the Red Sea and are now in the wilderness near Mt Sinai.
So Moses was up the mount communing with God and Aaron and the people were at their camp. Moses was gone just too long and they started to grumble and complain. They asked Aaron to make a god for them so Aaron took all their gold and melted it and made a calf for them to worship.
Now God was so angry with them that he was going to wipe them off the face of the earth, but Moses pleaded with him to spare them and God did. Moses went down the mountain and called all the followers of God to himself and the rest – well you can imagine, it didn’t go too well for them.
I suppose what I have been thinking with this is that God was angry. He wasn’t just upset – he was angry and was going to wipe them away. He didn’t say Oh dear, look at that, they missed you Moses, come here and I’ll comfort you all. He said you are a stiff-necked people and you are going to suffer the consequences of your behaviour – hence the wandering around in the desert instead of enjoying the promised land.
Exodus 32:9 And the Lord said to Moses, “I have seen this people, and indeed it is a stiff-necked people!”.
God was angry because the people who He had brought out of slavery, who He was going to lead to the promised land had strayed and were worshiping another god.
Aren’t we the same, aren’t we always complaining about the way things are going, aren’t we worshiping other gods. We may not even realise that we are, but do we put sport over church on a Sunday. Do we watch too much TV when we should be with our family doing devotions. Do we care too much about how we look and how we feel???
These are the gods that we worship, the gods of sport, and I feel the biggest one, the god of self.
Then He sent his son Jesus, to die for us and to be the last sacrifice. Now God sees us through Jesus.
Ephesians 1:7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace.
I love that chorus:
I am redeemed by the blood of the lamb, saved from sin and I know I am. All my sins are taken away, Praise the Lord
I feel we should think more about falling on our faces and worshiping a God so great and so mighty that He could wipe us off the face of the earth with one word, but also a God who loved us so much that he sent His only Son to die for us, that our sins would be forgiven.
Let us remember how big and strong and MIGHTY our God is, let us have a reverence for Him and all that He is and has done.
This is just what I have been thinking about my Bible readings at the moment.
Blessings.
This post is linked up at…
This was encouraging as always. It’s a blessing to find a true believer even if you are other side of the world. In this day an age many church leaders and pastors are revealing themselves to be nothing more than wolves in sheep’s clothing. One popular one here in the USA has said that the blood is not what saves. Makes me think of Hebrews 10:29
~ Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath accounted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath despised the Spirit of grace? ~
To your hymn quote, “I am redeemed by the blood of the lamb, saved from sin and I know I am. All my sins are taken away, Praise the Lord”, I say amen!
May the Lord bless you and yours
Thank you Stefanie for your thoughtful comment. We have to be on guard against false teachings in this day and age. What a blessing that we have the Word of God to guide us. Thanks again and may you have a great week and blessings to you and yours also.
What a wonderful read this morning. I came over to link up, and so glad I took the time to read this first. I think so often now, Christians want to claim the promises of God without being obedient to Him (myself included sometimes!)
A great reminder, and thank you for sharing.
Thanks Miranda and thank you for linking up. Blessings to you and your family.
“Let us remember how big and strong and MIGHTY our God is, let us have a reverence for Him and all that He is and has done.”
Oh, that we would always…ALWAYS…remember the Truth of Who are God is. My post today is on the anger of God in Exodus and that Moses was the mediator then but Jesus is now. praise God for His beautiful blessings and mercy showering over us.
Caring through Christ, ~ linda
Thank you Linda for your comment and your link up. I find it fascinating that when we are reading or thinking of something, someone else is too. Blessings to you yes may be always remember who our God is.
Beautiful thoughts here. It’s so important to honor and worship the Lord in all He is.
God bless : )
Thank you Cathy for your kind comment. Blessings
That “god of self” is such a biggie. I’m glad you’re being blessed through your daily Bible readings. There are so many treasured to be mined when we strategically read through the Word.
Oh Lisa you are so right, it truly is the Living Word of God. It never ceases to amaze me what we learn every time we do it. Thank you for stopping by and encouraging me with your comment. Blessings to you and yours.
So thankful that we have forgiveness when we fall short and worship the other gods in our lives.
Thanks for reminding us of the mighty God that we worship! So mighty and so loving as He sent His Son to die for us.
Thank you Emily for your kind comment. Blessings to you and your family.
Oh, how right you are! We do have such a Mighty and Wondrous Lord, and He still love us…it is a wonder to me and often has me in tears to get a glimpse of just how much He has done for us! Thank you for this beautiful, encouraging post. I needed to hear this once more tonight! We are so blessed to be His children!
Thank you, friend!
Thank you so much Jacqueline for your kind comment and for your encouragement. Blessings
Donna’s blog posts are always so loaded with good things. You had a great idea to study with some direction from her. I like the verse you shared from Ephesians 1:7, I am so grateful for this grace He has extended to us. To be covered by the shed blood of the redeemer is such a glorious blessing is it not?
Blessings,
Dawn
You are so right Dawn, thank you for your comment and your blessings. Terri
Amen! God is big and mighty and worshiping Him in all we do shows a reverence that He deserves. Blessings!
Exactly Mary, thank you and blessings
I too need to do more Bible reading, however my Bible reading right now is pretty non-existent. I hate admitting this but it is true. I hope that in 2015 I can get back on track. Thanks for sharing! #shinebloghop
Hi Brittany, you are not on your own with Bible reading. I started a Read the Bible in a Year Plan in January but that is the first reading I have done for ages. I pray that you will find the time and energy to commit to reading the Word of God and find peace as you do. Thank you for taking the time to stop by comment, I appreciate it. Blessings to you this week.
Wonderful sentiments as always! Thanks for sharing at Women With Intention Wednesdays! I look forward to what you will be sharing this week!
Thanks Jenny for your thoughtful comment and for hosting. Blessings to you this week.
I appreciate your pointing out the god of self. Self-worship has a powerful hold on God’s people in some parts of the world today. I sense He has begun a purifying work, and I pray He doesn’t stop! Thank you for sharing this sobering but much-needed word at Grace & Truth.
Thanks so much Jennifer for stopping by and commenting. It is a big thing this God of self and I am with you, we need to be purified. Blessings
You motivate me. I have started my Bible-reading plan again this year. Last year I made it through the Bible and loved the experience. This year, my start was rocky and I’m already behind. BUT, committing to keeping at it!
I love reading what you are learning and gathering from His Word!
Thanks for linking up at Front Porch Inspired’s #FPConversations last week – and I hope you can stop by again tomorrow!
God bless,
Anne
Thank you so much Anne for your kind words and encouragement, and thank you for hosting. Blessings to you.