So I was unable to post this yesterday as I promised, but I am posting both yesterday's and todays devotional thoughts. Today, I WILL do it!
Scripture for today:
Exodus 35:10-36:38
Matthew 27:32-66
Psalm 34:1-10
Proverbs 9:7-8
In the passage from Exodus, we continue to see Moses following the Lord's commands in constructing the Tabernacle. He asks the people to bring offerings for the construction of the Temple, and they do so. "All whose hearts were stirred and whose spirits were moved came and brought their sacred offerings to the Lord.... Both men and women came, all whose hearts were willing." -Exodus 34:21a-22a. In fact, they brought SO many offerings that Moses had to tell them to stop bringing them. Now that is true worship and sacrifice. The people ha realized what an amazing and awesome God they served that they were willing to do whatever was needed of them in order to please the Lord, and they did it joyfully. This is such a great example for us as Believers today. Are we willing to sacrifice of what we have if the Lord asks us to? And if we do so, will we do so joyfully rather than out of duty?
In the portion from the book of Matthew, we read about the torture, mockery, crucifixion, and burial of Jesus. The part which always touches me when I read this is when Jesus calls out to God... "At about three o'clock, Jesus called out with a loud voice, 'Eli, Eli, lema sabachtani?' which means 'My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?'" -Matthew 27:46. The Son calls out to His Father in anguish. But we have to understand, God had to leave Jesus when He took our sins unto Himself. God cannot be a part of anyone or anything that contains sin, so at that desperate moment, Jesus realizes that His Father is no longer with Him, and He desperately seeks His aid and comfort, to no avail. However, He does not sin nor curse His Father for leaving Him, instead he shouts out to God again, and "released His spirit" -Matthew 27:50. When he dies, the veil in the Temple tore in half, there was a great earthquake, and many godly men and women were released from their burial tombs and brought back to life. It amazes me that after seeing this happen, some were still stubborn enough to deny the fact that Jesus was in fact the Son of God, and that what they had done to Him was utterly wrong and cruel. But, they were human beings, as are we, and when we do not want to admit our wrongdoing, we make up excuses and try to cover our actions. In the end, God is the one who will pass judgment.
The portion reading from Psalm 34 happens to be one of my favorite psalms in the Bible. So I cannot do it justice. I will simply write it out.
"I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak His praises. I will boast only in the Lord; let all who are helpless take heart. Come, let us tell of the Lord's greatness; let us exalt His name together. I prayed to the Lord, and He answered me, He freed me from all my fears. Those who look to Him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces. In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened; He saved me from all my troubles. For the angel of the Lord is a guard; He surrounds and defends all who fear Him. Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in Him! Fear the Lord, you His godly people, for those who fear Him will have all they need. Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry, but those who trust in the Lord will lack no good thing." -Psalm 34:1-10
My prayer today is that He will be my refuge, that He will deliver me from any fears I might have, be they known or unknown, so that I may be able to continue being a faithful witness for Him. I also pray that He gives me joy, even when things may seem bleak and I might not feel wanted or appreciated, that He will remind me of His greatness and love, and that I may rejoice in His love and deliverance. I also pray that I may be able to give whatever He asks of me, willingly, like the Israelites did, and with joy in my heart. May it be so, In His name, Amen!
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