More Than Enough
Read Exodus 16
God's people have been rescued and are now wandering in the desert. They have no food, and begin to grumble, complaining that at least in Egypt they had received all the food they had wanted. Instead of God growing angry at their lack of gratitude or faith, He simply does what God does so well - He provides for their need. And I love the way He does it! He does not show them work opportunities, or lead them to fertile land....no, God just rains down food from heaven! I can hardly imagine the looks on the faces of these hardened people, as the food they had just been longing for simply falls down from the sky! Why does God provide in this way? Perhaps he knows their hearts, and wants to make sure that they will never take credit for this gracious gift of God's hand, that they "will know that it was the Lord who brought you out of Egypt..." (16:6). The Israelites needed desperately to discover the transcendent and unrivaled power of God. God was helping them to see this power at work day by day.
The Israelites could take and eat as much as they needed for one day. However, they were given one restriction: they could not store food for the following day. God was not simply being arbitrary or trying to give them daily exercise. I think He was insisting that they learn to walk by faith, trusting that with each new morning God would provide for them anew.
What I love about this striking object lesson, is that Jesus later compares himself to this 'bread from heaven.' In John 6, Jesus tells the crowds:
"...it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world" (6:32,33).
The first demonstration of God's provision was just the prelude; God later gave Himself in the person of His Son - Jesus - whose life would provide the ransom needed to pay for our own guilty wrongdoing. If we accept this, the greatest of His gifts, then we can stand unashamed before God's throne one day. We will never be able to say, "I am here because I did such and such" or "I have tried hard to be a good person." We will simply point to Jesus and say, "I am here because He was declared guilty and punished in my place." It is in this simple and complete exchange that I will stand confident before God, who will accept nothing short of the perfect life of His Son. Every day we must live in the hope of this glorious exchange, believing with all our hearts that "God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God" (2 Cor 5:21). This is good news for the world!
What amazes me is that Christ did not just provide for us once. He continues to provide Himself for us, day by day and moment by moment. This too is the glory of the gospel. Paul speaks of this in Colossians when he reminds new believers: "For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory" (3:3,4).
There is a contemporary worship song whose chorus runs "All of you is more than enough for all of me..." I love this simple song because it speaks so powerfully of the sufficiency of our God. Our lives may be difficult, our circumstances complicated, but our God is good, and it is our daily experience of His presence and provision that somehow outweighs every other need.
Dear Lord,
Help me to be able to live in such a way that I can say with the apostle Paul that you are my life. Show me day by day that you really are 'more than enough' to meet my every need.
In Jesus Name,
Amen.
Friday, 31 May 2013
Sunday, 12 May 2013
Let My People Go!
Read Exodus 5-14
Once God has set forth His mission to redeem the Israelite people, He then sets into motion the most astonishing series of events. He sends Moses to Pharoah with the daring request from the Lord to "Let my people go...." As expected in human terms, Pharoah, the great king of Egypt, is appalled, and responds: "Who is the Lord, that I should obey him...?" And that is precisely what he is about to find out.
First, God turns the water of the Nile into blood. Pharoah does not budge. Moses returns a second time with the same request: "Let my people go...." Pharoah refuses and the whole country is infested with frogs. This time Pharaoh relents for a time, but once the plague has passed, he changes his mind. Next come the gnats, then the flies, the plague on the livestock, and then the plagues of boils, hail, locusts and darkness. Still, Pharaoh does not relent, just as God had declared it would be. Pharaoh continues to assert his power, but surely he was becoming aware that this God was not someone he could easily oppose.
Finally, the most devastating and decisive plague of all - the death of the firstborn. The firstborn child of every Egyptian in the land, including the son of the king, died that night. And yet, not one of the Israelite children was harmed. As the Lord had commanded His people, each household took a lamb to eat, and spread some of the blood over the door, since God had promised that "when I see the blood, I will pass over you" (12:13). With this final plague, Pharaoh eventually gave way. The people of Israel were finally free.
And how they rejoiced at their freedom, those who had been so long in captivity! The Bible, in fact, records the song they sang after they had crossed the Red Sea (15:1-18). Here is a portion:
Little did these people know that their great redemption story would later become just the prologue of a far greater salvation narrative, when Jesus, God's Son, would come into the world - this time not primarily to save us from the oppressive circumstances of our lives, but to save us from ourselves, from the sin that is our greatest enemy. And while the Israelites spread the blood of a young lamb over their doorposts as a sign that they were covered by God's grace, Jesus Christ would later die a brutal death on the cross, so that his own blood would be our covering. He became known to Christians as "The Lamb of God" and when John the Baptist saw Jesus coming to be baptized, he exclaimed "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" This is the redemption story in which I rejoice today.
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for the amazing acts of power you displayed as you rescued your people in ancient days from their suffering. And thank you, too, that by your grace you have saved me too. May this be my constant song of praise!
Read Exodus 5-14
Once God has set forth His mission to redeem the Israelite people, He then sets into motion the most astonishing series of events. He sends Moses to Pharoah with the daring request from the Lord to "Let my people go...." As expected in human terms, Pharoah, the great king of Egypt, is appalled, and responds: "Who is the Lord, that I should obey him...?" And that is precisely what he is about to find out.
First, God turns the water of the Nile into blood. Pharoah does not budge. Moses returns a second time with the same request: "Let my people go...." Pharoah refuses and the whole country is infested with frogs. This time Pharaoh relents for a time, but once the plague has passed, he changes his mind. Next come the gnats, then the flies, the plague on the livestock, and then the plagues of boils, hail, locusts and darkness. Still, Pharaoh does not relent, just as God had declared it would be. Pharaoh continues to assert his power, but surely he was becoming aware that this God was not someone he could easily oppose.
Finally, the most devastating and decisive plague of all - the death of the firstborn. The firstborn child of every Egyptian in the land, including the son of the king, died that night. And yet, not one of the Israelite children was harmed. As the Lord had commanded His people, each household took a lamb to eat, and spread some of the blood over the door, since God had promised that "when I see the blood, I will pass over you" (12:13). With this final plague, Pharaoh eventually gave way. The people of Israel were finally free.
And how they rejoiced at their freedom, those who had been so long in captivity! The Bible, in fact, records the song they sang after they had crossed the Red Sea (15:1-18). Here is a portion:
The Lord is my strength and my song;
he has become my salvation.
He is my God, and I will praise him...
Who among the gods is like you,
O Lord?
Who is like you -
majestic in holiness,
awesome in glory,
working wonders....
In your unfailing love you will lead
the people you have redeemed.
In your strength you will guide them
to your holy dwelling...
Little did these people know that their great redemption story would later become just the prologue of a far greater salvation narrative, when Jesus, God's Son, would come into the world - this time not primarily to save us from the oppressive circumstances of our lives, but to save us from ourselves, from the sin that is our greatest enemy. And while the Israelites spread the blood of a young lamb over their doorposts as a sign that they were covered by God's grace, Jesus Christ would later die a brutal death on the cross, so that his own blood would be our covering. He became known to Christians as "The Lamb of God" and when John the Baptist saw Jesus coming to be baptized, he exclaimed "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" This is the redemption story in which I rejoice today.
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for the amazing acts of power you displayed as you rescued your people in ancient days from their suffering. And thank you, too, that by your grace you have saved me too. May this be my constant song of praise!
Friday, 3 May 2013
Just One More Question....
Read Exodus 3 and 4
I find myself so drawn to the character of Moses, perhaps because I see so much of myself in his doubts and fears. He is living a simple, very ordinary life as a shepherd when he is summoned by the voice of God. He does not appear to have any special ambitions or purpose, and thus is completely caught off guard when God confronts him with His great rescue mission.
Moses clearly feels incompetent for the task and asks "Who am I, that I should go...". God's answer is simple: "I will be with you." For God, the promise of His presence is more than sufficient. But Moses has a lot more questions to ask!
He asks what he should tell the people when they ask who has sent him. God's responds with the enigmatic answer: "I am Who I Am," at one and the same time answering and leaving room for plenty more questions. My theology professor pointed out that the construction in Hebrew is perhaps more properly translated "I will be Who I will be." In a sense, God is saying, "Just watch and see what I will do." Our God is one who acts concretely in human history, and it is often through His decisive actions on our behalf that His character is revealed.
Moses is still a long way from convinced. "What if they do not believe me...?" He asks. An obvious question. God remains patient, and gives Moses a sign as He turns his wooden staff into a snake. Moses has now seen the glory of God in the burning bush, heard the voice of God, and seen concrete evidence of His power. Certainly God's power is evident. But it is his role in the affair that concerns Moses still.
"O Lord, I have never been eloquent...I am slow of speech and tongue." At this point I can't help but feel some sympathy for Moses. We make so much these days about serving within the context of our own talents and giftings, but here is God asking Moses to do something for which he is clearly ill-equipped. However, God's call remains firm: "Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say."
At this point, there really are no more questions, so Moses simply resorts to pleading his case: ''O Lord, please send someone else to do it." Again, as shameful as this is, I resonate with Moses here. How often I have been burdened by a need around me, but failed to stand up myself to act. Perhaps in my mind the same tacit pleading is there: O Lord, send someone else!
It is at this point that I find the remarkable paradox of God's holiness and love reappear. He is angry, and rightly so, for Moses has persistently questioned His call and His promise. And yet, at the very same time, He is so very gracious, telling this poor, stuttering shepherd that his brother (who can speak much better) is already on the way. God had it all worked out. He wanted Moses' trust and obedience, and at the same time He was committed to providing everything that Moses would need for the task.
The remarkable ending of this portion of the story...."Then Moses went back to Jethro his father-in-law and said to him, "Let me go back to my own people in Egypt...."" In spite of his deep fears and personal weaknesses, Moses trusted himself to God.
Dear Lord,
I am humbled and inspired by this stuttering shepherd, who in spite of all his questions and fears, followed your bold call upon his life. Remind me that where and when you call us to a particular journey, you will also provide all that we need along the way. Give me courage and trust.
Amen.
Read Exodus 3 and 4
I find myself so drawn to the character of Moses, perhaps because I see so much of myself in his doubts and fears. He is living a simple, very ordinary life as a shepherd when he is summoned by the voice of God. He does not appear to have any special ambitions or purpose, and thus is completely caught off guard when God confronts him with His great rescue mission.
Moses clearly feels incompetent for the task and asks "Who am I, that I should go...". God's answer is simple: "I will be with you." For God, the promise of His presence is more than sufficient. But Moses has a lot more questions to ask!
He asks what he should tell the people when they ask who has sent him. God's responds with the enigmatic answer: "I am Who I Am," at one and the same time answering and leaving room for plenty more questions. My theology professor pointed out that the construction in Hebrew is perhaps more properly translated "I will be Who I will be." In a sense, God is saying, "Just watch and see what I will do." Our God is one who acts concretely in human history, and it is often through His decisive actions on our behalf that His character is revealed.
Moses is still a long way from convinced. "What if they do not believe me...?" He asks. An obvious question. God remains patient, and gives Moses a sign as He turns his wooden staff into a snake. Moses has now seen the glory of God in the burning bush, heard the voice of God, and seen concrete evidence of His power. Certainly God's power is evident. But it is his role in the affair that concerns Moses still.
"O Lord, I have never been eloquent...I am slow of speech and tongue." At this point I can't help but feel some sympathy for Moses. We make so much these days about serving within the context of our own talents and giftings, but here is God asking Moses to do something for which he is clearly ill-equipped. However, God's call remains firm: "Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say."
At this point, there really are no more questions, so Moses simply resorts to pleading his case: ''O Lord, please send someone else to do it." Again, as shameful as this is, I resonate with Moses here. How often I have been burdened by a need around me, but failed to stand up myself to act. Perhaps in my mind the same tacit pleading is there: O Lord, send someone else!
It is at this point that I find the remarkable paradox of God's holiness and love reappear. He is angry, and rightly so, for Moses has persistently questioned His call and His promise. And yet, at the very same time, He is so very gracious, telling this poor, stuttering shepherd that his brother (who can speak much better) is already on the way. God had it all worked out. He wanted Moses' trust and obedience, and at the same time He was committed to providing everything that Moses would need for the task.
The remarkable ending of this portion of the story...."Then Moses went back to Jethro his father-in-law and said to him, "Let me go back to my own people in Egypt...."" In spite of his deep fears and personal weaknesses, Moses trusted himself to God.
Dear Lord,
I am humbled and inspired by this stuttering shepherd, who in spite of all his questions and fears, followed your bold call upon his life. Remind me that where and when you call us to a particular journey, you will also provide all that we need along the way. Give me courage and trust.
Amen.
Wednesday, 1 May 2013
The Call
Read Exodus 3 and 4
I love this passage that describes God's call to Moses out of a burning bush for it reveals the striking paradox of God's holy transcendence and his father's compassion. When God first speaks the words "Moses! Moses!" and introduces himself as "the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob" Moses is gripped with fear. God reminds him to remove his sandals for he is on holy ground. God has clearly displayed His holy otherness.
He then goes on to tell Moses: "I have indeed seen the misery of my people" and "I am concerned about them." Almighty God of holiness is also God of tremendous love. And this love is not mere sentiment, but a love that will "come down to rescue..." Astonishing! I love this imagery of God eternal drawing near, for I know that this is just the beginning of God's drawing ever closer to His lost and broken world.
I am reminded of the ending of a favorite poem by Robert Browning, which traces the story of a man who has just come to hear about Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead, and who wonders if this Jesus could truly could be the son of God:
The very God! think, Abib; dost thou think?
So, the All-Great, were the All-Loving too -
So, through the thunder comes a human voice
Saying, "O heart I made, a heart beats here!
Face, my hands fashioned see it in myself!
Thou hast no power nor mayst conceive of mine,
But love I gave thee, with myself to love,
And thou must love me who had died for thee!"
And we marvel that this is in fact true, that the All-Great is the All-Loving too.
Lord, most high, may I never forget Your great holiness. That you are entirely other. Remind me when I pray and when I teach my children to pray that we are drawing near to a holy God. May we come before you with the deepest respect, and treat your word with great honour. Forgive me when I am casual in your presence.
At the same time, remind me Jesus, that I am coming to a God who, just as in ages past, is deeply concerned about my struggles, a God full of love and compassion who will act for my good. Give me faith to come to you as a small child comes to a parent, full of need and eagerly expectant to see what good things you will give in your grace.
Saturday, 27 April 2013
Their Great Redemption Story
Read Exodus Chapters 1-4
As I am reading through the book of Exodus in the Bible, I am reminded that for the Jewish people, this was their great 'salvation story.' Trapped in Egypt, oppressed by slavery, they cried out to God and "God heard their groaning and he remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac and with Jacob. So God looked on the Israelites and was concerned about them" (Exodus 2:24,25).
God then presents Himself to Moses with His mission: "So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey..." (3:8). From the start, this is God's mission. He asks Moses to be his spokesperson - this fearful, stuttering shepherd a rather unlikely candidate. But then, perhaps this is precisely the point. God wants to make it clear that this rescue mission will not succeed because of the charisma of a powerful leader, or the strength of an army. It will succeed because God is about to do something in the world beyond all human proportions. In doing so, He will draw near to them in profound ways to meet them in their misery and to bring them to freedom.
Let's keep reading...
Read Exodus Chapters 1-4
As I am reading through the book of Exodus in the Bible, I am reminded that for the Jewish people, this was their great 'salvation story.' Trapped in Egypt, oppressed by slavery, they cried out to God and "God heard their groaning and he remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac and with Jacob. So God looked on the Israelites and was concerned about them" (Exodus 2:24,25).
God then presents Himself to Moses with His mission: "So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey..." (3:8). From the start, this is God's mission. He asks Moses to be his spokesperson - this fearful, stuttering shepherd a rather unlikely candidate. But then, perhaps this is precisely the point. God wants to make it clear that this rescue mission will not succeed because of the charisma of a powerful leader, or the strength of an army. It will succeed because God is about to do something in the world beyond all human proportions. In doing so, He will draw near to them in profound ways to meet them in their misery and to bring them to freedom.
Let's keep reading...
What's in a Name?
Beauty for Ashes. In the sixty-first chapter of the book of Isaiah in the Bible, there is a prophecy given to God's people foreshadowing the ministry of Jesus hundreds of years later. In this passage, which Jesus himself later quotes, we find these words:
Beauty for Ashes. In the sixty-first chapter of the book of Isaiah in the Bible, there is a prophecy given to God's people foreshadowing the ministry of Jesus hundreds of years later. In this passage, which Jesus himself later quotes, we find these words:
He has sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoner, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion - to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair...
It is this remarkable message of exchange - our dark and lost state for the freedom He freely gives, our despair exchanged for his joy, our 'ashes' for his 'beauty,' - that I find at the heart of the Christian message. Everything I have and enjoy is of God's grace. I bring nothing and can give nothing, but what He has first given me.
As I journey through the Scriptures and look at the lives of some men and women of faith who have gone before us, it is my prayer that these simple reflections would do one thing - testify to the amazing grace of God, who is now my all in all.
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