Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
Jesus Christ Who Redeems
Exodus 3: 1-10“…And Moses hid his face for he was afraid to look at God.” (vs. 6)
Think about the ugly sins that persist in our lives. Ask whether we have encountered God in a real manner, such that our hearts are transformed in relation to the bleak spots in our lives? Today’s passage depicts Moses encountering God while herding his father-in-law’s flock(v. 1-6). Years before, he had fled Egypt after killing a man. God now appears to Moses in a burning bush. Instantly he trembled upon hearing the voice of the living God, for he did not deem himself worthy to be in the presence of his Maker.
We encounter God in a multitude of ways each day, from His revealed words in the Bible to the beauty and vastness of the created universe. Yet we often fail to truly value His presence for we are incessantly falling into disobedience and thinking very lightly of these failures. Let us be wary of succumbing to the trap of minimizing and rationalizing our sins. This leads us to falsely think that we are worthy to be in the presence of our Maker, despite our ongoing and unrepentant sins. Rather we must continually examine our inmost thoughts and outward actions. If we lack a wholehearted devotion to God’s holy ways, we must immediately repent of our ways and seek a genuine transformation.
God has made a way for us to be renewed and be found worthy in His presence. Today’s passage further tells of our compassionate God who hears the desperate cries of His enslaved people in Egypt and redeems them(v.7-10). Our position in life is not any different from that of the Israelites. We often find ourselves mired in the bondage of sin, thereby lacking the assurance of the presence of God and believing that we are without recourse. In such moments of self-defeat and vulnerability, we must humbly yet fervently call out to God. We have the privilege of looking to a greater Moses, in Christ Jesus who shed His blood for our blemishes and who now delivers us from the bondage of sins when we earnestly call out to Him. No matter how wretched or hopeless our situation may seem, God is never far away. Simply trust in the finished work of Christ on the cross, abide in Him by cherishing and heeding all of His words, and rest peacefully on the fact that the Holy Spirit dwells in the believers to comfort and counsel us. God is with us and He has provided us with all that we need to be found worthy in His presence - His grace is indeed sufficient.
Prayer
We encounter God in a multitude of ways each day, from His revealed words in the Bible to the beauty and vastness of the created universe. Yet we often fail to truly value His presence for we are incessantly falling into disobedience and thinking very lightly of these failures. Let us be wary of succumbing to the trap of minimizing and rationalizing our sins. This leads us to falsely think that we are worthy to be in the presence of our Maker, despite our ongoing and unrepentant sins. Rather we must continually examine our inmost thoughts and outward actions. If we lack a wholehearted devotion to God’s holy ways, we must immediately repent of our ways and seek a genuine transformation.
God has made a way for us to be renewed and be found worthy in His presence. Today’s passage further tells of our compassionate God who hears the desperate cries of His enslaved people in Egypt and redeems them(v.7-10). Our position in life is not any different from that of the Israelites. We often find ourselves mired in the bondage of sin, thereby lacking the assurance of the presence of God and believing that we are without recourse. In such moments of self-defeat and vulnerability, we must humbly yet fervently call out to God. We have the privilege of looking to a greater Moses, in Christ Jesus who shed His blood for our blemishes and who now delivers us from the bondage of sins when we earnestly call out to Him. No matter how wretched or hopeless our situation may seem, God is never far away. Simply trust in the finished work of Christ on the cross, abide in Him by cherishing and heeding all of His words, and rest peacefully on the fact that the Holy Spirit dwells in the believers to comfort and counsel us. God is with us and He has provided us with all that we need to be found worthy in His presence - His grace is indeed sufficient.
Prayer
Dear Lord, may our desire for you increase, may we forsake the things of this world and have a genuine love for you. Amen.
Thought for the Day
“I need Thee ev’ry hour, most gracious Lord; No tender voice like Thine can peace afford.” -Annie Hawks
Ashish Thomas, Immanuel MTC, Virginia
Ashish Thomas, Immanuel MTC, Virginia