God’s chosen ones

³⁰ Then Moses said to the Israelites, “See, the Lord has chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, ³¹ and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills— ³² to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, ³³ to cut and set stones, to work in wood and to engage in all kinds of artistic crafts. ³⁴ And he has given both him and Oholiab son of Ahisamak, of the tribe of Dan, the ability to teach others.

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He chooses whom He wants to choose and He grants wisdom to whom He wants to grant wisdom to. He is a living God! He is a Sovereign God! God is God and not man!  He chose Abraham. He chose David. He chose Daniel and granted him wisdom. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds. He chooses for his purpose and He knows why He chose whom He chooses.

Abraham; to be a father of all nations and through whom many nations shall be formed. Moses; to lead His people from captivity to a promised land. Joshua, though he was not courageous, God chose him to continue the mission of Moses. David, God chose to be a king, notwithstanding his background. ¹⁶ It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God’s mercy. ¹⁷ For Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.”^{[g] 18} Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden. 

³⁰ Then Moses said to the Israelites, “See, the Lord has chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, ³¹ and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills— ³² to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, ³³ to cut and set stones, to work in wood and to engage in all kinds of artistic crafts. ³⁴ And he has given both him and Oholiab son of Ahisamak, of the tribe of Dan, the ability to teach others. ³⁵ He has filled them with skill to do all kinds of work as engravers, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen, and weavers—all of them skilled workers and designers.

God chooses, but for a purpose. When He chose Joshua, He said to Him, ‘As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. ⁶ Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.⁷ “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. ⁸ Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. ⁹ Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” God chooses us for His work and we must do His work and do it diligently!

He chose them ‘³² to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, ³³ to cut and set stones, to work in wood and to engage in all kinds of artistic crafts. ³⁴ And he has given both him and Oholiab son of Ahisamak, of the tribe of Dan, the ability to teach others.’

We are not ordinary people and we must endeavor to respond to our Masters call with due diligence. It is written,  ‘Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. ² Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, ³ now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. …They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for. ⁹ But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. ¹⁰ Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy   1 Peter 2.

Do you know who you are in Christ?

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PONDER

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

The Kingdoms business

EXODUS    35    IN     FOCUS

¹⁰ “All who are skilled among you are to come and make everything the Lord has commanded:

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More hands are needed! Oh yes, more hands are needed for the Kingdoms business. Jesus ‘said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. ³⁸ Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.Matthew  9.   Dan­i­el March, 1868, wrote :

Hark, the voice of Jesus calling,
“Who will go and work today?
Fields are ripe and harvests waiting,
Who will bear the sheaves away?”
Long and loud the Master calls us,
Rich reward He offers free;
Who will answer, gladly saying,
“Here am I, send me, send me”? 

Many souls are dying! Many souls are wandering! Who will care for someone? Who will rescue the perishing? ‘ ³⁵ Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. ³⁶ When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.‘

Enough of the talk! Let us walk the walk! Let us take up our cross and follow the footsteps of our Master! Jesus is calling, who will respond? Worldly pleasures shall continue to be worldly pleasures, but we shall die and go, and meet our Masters judgment! ²⁷  …as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:  Awake and let your heart move your body, Jesus is calling! The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few!

²⁰ Then the whole Israelite community withdrew from Moses’ presence, ²¹ and everyone who was willing and whose heart moved them came and brought an offering to the Lord for the work on the tent of meeting, for all its service, and for the sacred garments. ²² All who were willing, men and women alike, came and brought gold jewelry of all kinds: brooches, earrings, rings and ornaments. They all presented their gold as a wave offering to the Lord. ²³ Everyone who had blue, purple or scarlet yarn or fine linen, or goat hair, ram skins dyed red or the other durable leather brought them. ²⁴ Those presenting an offering of silver or bronze brought it as an offering to the Lord, and everyone who had acacia wood for any part of the work brought it. ²⁵ Every skilled woman spun with her hands and brought what she had spun—blue, purple or scarlet yarn or fine linen. ²⁶ And all the women who were willing and had the skill spun the goat hair. ²⁷ The leaders brought onyx stones and other gems to be mounted on the ephod and breastpiece. ²⁸ They also brought spices and olive oil for the light and for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense. ²⁹ All the Israelite men and women who were willing brought to the Lord freewill offerings for all the work the Lord through Moses had commanded them to do.  Exodus 35

Gold is precious and gold is valuable, but they gave their all out for the kingdoms business.  They contributed their quota, they brought their substance and they  moved their hands for a purpose! They are gone, but we are here! Let us consider the early church, ‘⁴⁴ Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, ⁴⁵ and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. ⁴⁶ So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, ⁴⁷ praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church^[h] daily those who were being saved.’ Who will do the kingdoms business? Who will awake in might to the call? One soul will bring joy in heaven; arise oh men of God! Mind the kingdoms business and do it well! Jesus is coming again!

Fan­ny Cros­by, 1883. wrote:

Awake! Awake! the Master now is calling us,
Arise! Arise! And, trusting in His Word,
Go forth! Go forth! Proclaim the year of jubilee,
And take the cross, the blessèd cross of Christ our Lord.

Refrain

On, on, swell the chorus,
On, on, the morning star is shining o’er us;
On, on, while before us,
Our mighty, mighty Savior leads the way.
Glory, glory, hear the everlasting throng,
Shout “Hosanna!” while we boldly march along;
Faithful soldiers here below, only Jesus will we know;
Shouting “Free salvation!” o’er the world we go.

A cry for light from dying ones in heathen lands;
It comes, it comes across the ocean’s foam;
Then haste! Oh, haste to spread the words of truth abroad,
Forgetting not the starving poor at home, dear home.

Refrain

O Church of God, extend thy kind, maternal arms,
To save the lost on mountains dark and cold;
Reach out thy hand with loving smile to rescue them,
And bring them to the shelter of the Savior’s fold.

Refrain

Look up! Look up! The promised day is drawing near,
When all shall hail, shall hail the Savior King;
When peace and joy shall fold their wings in every clime,
And “Glory, hallelujah!” o’er the earth shall ring.

 

The Radiant Face of Moses

 EXODUS    34    IN     FOCUS

… he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the Lord. ³⁰ When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, his face was radiant, and they were afraid to come near him.

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We serve a living God! We serve the All powerful God! His name is the Lord our banner! His name is the  Lord our dignity! When you meet Him for a moment, you are changed forever!

”And all the angels stood around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. And they fell facedown before the throne and worshiped God saying, “Amen, blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might, be to our God forever and ever. Amen.”

 

You can’t spray a perfume on you and walk without the scent of the perfume on you! When you meet God, you meet a change! When you meet God, you meet glory! When you meet God, you meet power! Moses met God and went back a changed person! They that saw him going ordinary, saw him coming extra ordinary, and they could not look at him! You need to meet God! You need to meet the presence of the Sovereign Lord God Almighty!

Many people met Jesus Christ in person; something so many people were and are yearning for, but not all had a change! Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me. When the young man heard this, he went away in sorrow, because he had great wealth.” . Someone however met Him and had a change,  But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.”

The same opportunities people miss; the same  opportunities people use! Moses remained humble before God and God made Moses a different person!

 ³⁰ When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, his face was radiant, and they were afraid to come near him. ³¹ But Moses called to them; so Aaron and all the leaders of the community came back to him, and he spoke to them. ³² Afterward all the Israelites came near him, and he gave them all the commands the Lord had given him on Mount Sinai. ³³ When Moses finished speaking to them, he put a veil over his face.

Moses knew how to protect the glory God shone upon him! When Moses finished speaking to them, he put a veil over his face! We must know how to protect the glory of God upon our lives. We must understand what to show publicly and what to keep out of public view!

⁴ Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” ⁵ While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” ⁶ When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. ⁷ But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.” ⁸ When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus. ⁹ As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”

When you meet God, your personality changes, but know how to carry yourself! Jesus Christ said, “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.” Moses hid his face from the people, and Jesus did not allow His disciples to proclaim the glory they saw to the masses though it could have endorsed His credibility! ‘ As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead’

We must be diligent in our walk with God and we must know how to move with the glory of God in our daily lives! We must know what to show to men and we must understand what to keep away from the eyes of men! We must know what to say to men, probably because we may want to prove ourselves right to men, and we must get understanding of what to keep away from the ears of men! The walk with God demands wisdom! The walk with God demands diligence! Do your possible best to stay for God and when you meet Him, your face will change!!!

Broken but restored!

EXODUS    34     IN    FOCUS

The Lord said to Moses, “Chisel out two stone tablets like the first ones, and I will write on them the words that were on the first tablets, which you broke.

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He is a God of a second chance! His love endures forever. He is a mighty King! Jehovah reigns! The Israelites caused Moses to do what was not worth; he broke the tablet.’  ¹⁶ The tablets were the work of God; the writing was the writing of God, engraved on the tablets.  ¹⁹ When Moses approached the camp and saw the calf and the dancing, his anger burned and he threw the tablets out of his hands, breaking them to pieces at the foot of the mountain. (Exodus 22).

Nonetheless what Moses did, God had mercy! He gave him another chance . ²⁷ Then the Lord said to Moses, “Write down these words, for in accordance with these words I have made a covenant with you and with Israel.” ²⁸ Moses was there with the Lord forty days and forty nights without eating bread or drinking water. And he wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant—the Ten Commandments.

We ought to appreciate the tenacity with which Moses walked with God. Notwithstanding all the afflictions, disturbances from the masses, the arduous walk of journeying to spend forty days and nights without water or food, Moses did cling to God! Moses was obedient to the Lord and Moses had utmost reverence for God!

We live in a world full of trials. We live in a world full of temptations, but the presence of God can restore what is broken. The presence of God can write a new chapter of life. Moses broke the first tablet, but God gave him another chance!

When we leave the presence of God, we subject ourselves to the world and we fall prey to the world but His presence can change things! ²⁵ Moses saw that the people were running wild and that Aaron had let them get out of control and so become a laughingstock to their enemies. ²⁶ So he stood at the entrance to the camp and said, “Whoever is for the Lord, come to me.” And all the Levites rallied to him.

It is always not all that easy to wait upon the Lord, but there is always a great price for that. Moses came from the mountains after forty days and nights changed!

²⁹ When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the covenant law in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the Lord. ³⁰ When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, his face was radiant, and they were afraid to come near him. ³¹ But Moses called to them; so Aaron and all the leaders of the community came back to him, and he spoke to them. ³² Afterward all the Israelites came near him, and he gave them all the commands the Lord had given him on Mount Sinai.  ³³ When Moses finished speaking to them, he put a veil over his face.

What commandments have you broken? Wait upon the Lord! Jesus Christ came to seek for the lost!  Jesus Christ came to restore! Jesus Christ came to reconnect! He said ‘The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.‘ John 10:10. It is never the will of God that people will be destroyed and live in perplexity, we may have broken a tablet, maybe because of something, but God can restore!

                                                                        Think about ROMANS 6

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HYMN

When we walk with the Lord
in the light of his word,
what a glory he sheds on our way!
While we do his good will,
he abides with us still,
and with all who will trust and obey.

Refrain:
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

 Not a burden we bear,
not a sorrow we share,
but our toil he doth richly repay;
not a grief or a loss,
not a frown or a cross,
but is blest if we trust and obey. [Refrain]

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ONE OF THESE DAYS THE WORLD WILL COME TO AN END. JESUS CHRIST THE SON OF THE LIVING GOD IS COMING AGAIN! ARE YOU READY?

The presence of God!

¹³ If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people.” ¹⁴ The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

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The presence of any famous  person at an event changes the face of the event and makes the ground a remarkable one. When Jesus went to the wedding, things changed!

⁷ Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim. ⁸ Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.” They did so, ⁹ and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside ¹⁰ and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.”  John 5

The presence of God is mighty! The presence of God changes things! The presence of God makes the impossible possible .  Jesus was asleep and  the storm was overwhelming the disciples but when He arose, things changed!

³⁵ That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” ³⁶ Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. ³⁷ A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. ³⁸ Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” ³⁹ He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. ⁴⁰ He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” ⁴¹ They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”  Mark 4

We need the presence of God to be different and to make a difference. We need the presence of God to be distinctive among all the people on the surface of the earth. Moses wanted nothing but the presence of God! Moses prayed for the presence of God.

¹⁴ The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” ¹⁵ Then Moses said to him, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. ¹⁶ How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?”

We leave in a world of paradox; a world in which real peace is hard to find; a world in which all we hear and see each day we wake up is  massacre, violence, deception, contentions, rivalry, economic down turns, national and international disputes and all kind of atrocities. The most important thing we must seek for is the presence of God!  David said,

You make known to me the path of life;
    in your presence there is fullness of joy;
    at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16

What are you doing? You need the presence of God! Where are you going? You need the presence of God! What do you wish to do? You need the presence of God!  ¹⁹ And the Lord said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the Lord, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.  We need the goodness of God! We ought to have an unshaking faith in what God can do! As God promised Abraham and He did it, so can He do it for us ! We only have to trust and obey! When we meet the presence of Jesus Christ, all things that are dead will arise!!!  Jesus said ‘ But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.”

 

PONDER

His presence can make the dead arise,  dead things come to life, and bizarre  situations in our lives a living testimony for us!

JOHN  11

¹⁷ On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. ¹⁸ Now Bethany was less than two miles^[b] from Jerusalem, ¹⁹ and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. ²⁰ When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home. ²¹ “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. ²² But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.” ²³ Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”²⁴ Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” ²⁵ Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; ²⁶ and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” ²⁷ “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”

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HYMN

John H. Sammis, 1887

 

1. When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,
   What a glory He sheds on our way!
   While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
   And with all who will trust and obey.

   • Refrain:
     Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
     To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
2. Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,
   But His smile quickly drives it away;
   Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear,
   Can abide while we trust and obey.
3. Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share,
   But our toil He doth richly repay;
   Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross,
   But is blessed if we trust and obey.
4. But we never can prove the delights of His love
   Until all on the altar we lay;
   For the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows,
   Are for them who will trust and obey.
5. Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet,
   Or we’ll walk by His side in the way;
   What He says we will do, where He sends we will go;
   Never fear, only trust and obey.

take a step!

EXODUS    33     IN     FOCUS

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Leave this place, you and the people you brought up out of Egypt, and go up to the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, saying, ‘I will give it to your descendants.’

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There is a land waiting for us! There is a home we must get to! God has promise and He will never fail. Jesus said ‘ ² In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.’

God did not tell the Israelites that He will carry them miraculously to the promised land, they needed to take steps! There comes a time when we need not to stay in wait of the promises of God  but to move for it. Let us remember the four lepers, it took their steps to feed the entire people.

Then Elisha said, Hear ye the word of the Lord; Thus saith the Lord, To morrow about this time shall a measure of fine flour be sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, in the gate of Samaria.

² Then a lord on whose hand the king leaned answered the man of God, and said, Behold, if the Lord would make windows in heaven, might this thing be? And he said, Behold, thou shalt see it with thine eyes, but shalt not eat thereof.

³ And there were four leprous men at the entering in of the gate: and they said one to another, Why sit we here until we die?

⁴ If we say, We will enter into the city, then the famine is in the city, and we shall die there: and if we sit still here, we die also. Now therefore come, and let us fall unto the host of the Syrians: if they save us alive, we shall live; and if they kill us, we shall but die.

⁵ And they rose up in the twilight, to go unto the camp of the Syrians: and when they were come to the uttermost part of the camp of Syria, behold, there was no man there.

⁶ For the Lord had made the host of the Syrians to hear a noise of chariots, and a noise of horses, even the noise of a great host: and they said one to another, Lo, the king of Israel hath hired against us the kings of the Hittites, and the kings of the Egyptians, to come upon us.

⁷ Wherefore they arose and fled in the twilight, and left their tents, and their horses, and their asses, even the camp as it was, and fled for their life.

⁸ And when these lepers came to the uttermost part of the camp, they went into one tent, and did eat and drink, and carried thence silver, and gold, and raiment, and went and hid it; and came again, and entered into another tent, and carried thence also, and went and hid it.

⁹ Then they said one to another, We do not well: this day is a day of good tidings, and we hold our peace: if we tarry till the morning light, some mischief will come upon us: now therefore come, that we may go and tell the king’s household.

There is a journey to take, but we need to be diligent in this journey. We ought to be careful not to go against the commands of God. God said to the people ‘³ Go up to the land flowing with milk and honey. But I will not go with you, because you are a stiff-necked people and I might destroy you on the way.”.  How can we make it to heaven without God helping us. How can we make it to heaven without the Hoy Spirit leading us? How can we make it to heaven without the presence of the angels of God to guard us? We need to be obedient to the will of God!

⁴ When the people heard these distressing words, they began to mourn and no one put on any ornaments. ⁵ For the Lord had said to Moses, “Tell the Israelites, ‘You are a stiff-necked people. If I were to go with you even for a moment, I might destroy you. Now take off your ornaments and I will decide what to do with you.’” ⁶ So the Israelites stripped off their ornaments at Mount Horeb.

May the prayers of David be our prayers as we think of our journey to the land where the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ shines unfailing in majesty!

David said,

Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.

² Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

³ For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.

⁴ Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.

⁵ Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.

⁶ Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.

⁷ Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

⁸ Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.

⁹ Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.

¹⁰ Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

¹¹ Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.

¹² Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

¹³ Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.

 

Because of people…

EXODUS   32     IN   FOCUS

¹⁹ When Moses approached the camp and saw the calf and the dancing, his anger burned and he threw the tablets out of his hands, breaking them to pieces at the foot of the mountain.

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How can we live without people? What do you do because of people?  People are the very root cause of the woes of mankind and the very reason why we fail to do the will of God according to His purpose. People can tempt others to the very limit of their patience but there should always be restrain! Jesus said ‘Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to stumble! Such things must come, but woe to the person through whom they come!’ Matthew 18.

Moses was doing the will of God. He sacrificed his entire life in obedience to the call of God and dedicated his strength to embark on an arduous errand but the people did detestable things ! They worshiped idols!

⁷ Then the Lord said to Moses, “Go down, because your people, whom you brought up out of Egypt, have become corrupt. ⁸ They have been quick to turn away from what I commanded them and have made themselves an idol cast in the shape of a calf. They have bowed down to it and sacrificed to it and have said, ‘These are your gods, Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.’

Moses had to embark on the journey all over again because of the people. They caused his anger  and he threw the tablets out of his hands, breaking them to pieces at the foot of the mountain.

Jesus Christ came to meet similar issue,  ¹³ When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. ¹⁴ In the temple courts he found people selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. ¹⁵ So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables.  John 2

People don’t mind doing what pleases themselves and gives them satisfaction regardless of how it displeases God. We ought to be careful with people or else we may stumble because of people. We ought to be careful or we also do things because of people. We ought not to let people be the reason for our action but the word of God! Jesus Christ based on His Fathers will do act,  he said, “Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a market!”

Because of people, many people have done so many bad things in regrettably  life. People can cause anger; anger that is capable of leading others into murder! People can be disobedient; disobedience that is capable of turning things around! People can speak evil; evil that is evil enough to tarnish the image and reputation of others! Beware of people and don’t do things because of people but because of the Word of God!

They asked Jesus in Matthew 22  ³⁶ “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”³⁷ Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’^{[a] 38} This is the first and greatest commandment. ³⁹ And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’^{[b] 40} All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Jesus said ‘⁴⁴ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you’

Regardless of what the Israelites did, Moses found a reason to forgive them and interceded for them!

³⁰ The next day Moses said to the people, “You have committed a great sin. But now I will go up to the Lord; perhaps I can make atonement for your sin.”³¹ So Moses went back to the Lord and said, “Oh, what a great sin these people have committed! They have made themselves gods of gold. ³² But now, please forgive their sin—but if not, then blot me out of the book you have written.”

 

What do you do because of people?

Patience

EXODUS    32     IN    FOCUS

 When the people saw how long it was taking Moses to come back down the mountain, they gathered around Aaron. “Come on,” they said, “make us some gods who can lead us. We don’t know what happened to this fellow Moses, who brought us here from the land of Egypt.”

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The same tongue that speaks good is the same tongue that speaks evil, beware! The same Israelites who witnessed how the mighty hand of God delivered them from their oppressors and sang songs of praises were demanding for a different object of worship! Oh mortal man!

1Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the Lord, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the Lord, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea. 2The Lord is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father’s God, and I will exalt him. 3The Lord is a man of war: the Lord is his name. 4Pharaoh’s chariots and his host hath he cast into the sea: his chosen captains also are drowned in the Red sea. 5The depths have covered them: they sank into the bottom as a stone. 6Thy right hand, O Lord, is become glorious in power: thy right hand, O Lord, hath dashed in pieces the enemy. 7And in the greatness of thine excellency thou hast overthrown them that rose up against thee: thou sentest forth thy wrath, which consumed them as stubble. 8And with the blast of thy nostrils the waters were gathered together, the floods stood upright as an heap, and the depths were congealed in the heart of the sea. 9The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my lust shall be satisfied upon them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them. 10Thou didst blow with thy wind, the sea covered them: they sank as lead in the mighty waters. 11Who is like unto thee, O Lord, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?     Exodus 15

Oh mortal man! Why will thou not have patience and wait upon your true Lord? God is real! It is written ‘ ³¹ But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.‘ Oh mortal man, why must you be quick to take steps away from the presence, plans and purpose of God for your life when you can wait for his unfailing glory regardless of the situation? Think about Abraham and consider Joseph! It will not be easy but control your urge! It will cost you your very patience but have patience !  ⁹ The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 2 Peter 3.

God was taken the Israelites to a promised land; not just any land but a  land flowing with milk and honey.  There is always a journey to take to the final destination and the path to the final destination shall never be so easy, but we need to know the Sovereign Lord God Jehovah we serve. We need to be obedient to His will, purpose  and plans. We need to trust and obey!

Just imagine how painful it is to love someone so deeply and only to have the otherwise from the person! God chose the Israelites and He was there for them in their needful times! He gave them food directly from heaven. ‘The Israelites ate manna forty years, until they came to a land that was settled; they ate manna until they reached the border of Canaan.’ But they paid God evil for good!

^I3 All the people took the gold rings from their ears and brought them to Aaron. ⁴ Then Aaron took the gold, melted it down, and molded it into the shape of a calf. When the people saw it, they exclaimed, “O Israel, these are the gods who brought you out of the land of Egypt!”⁵ Aaron saw how excited the people were, so he built an altar in front of the calf. Then he announced, “Tomorrow will be a festival to the Lord!” ⁶ The people got up early the next morning to sacrifice burnt offerings and peace offerings. After this, they celebrated with feasting and drinking, and they indulged in pagan revelry. 

The Israelites could not wait for Moses to come! ‘We don’t know what happened to this fellow Moses, who brought us here from the land of Egypt’  they said, . Oh yes, they could not wait! To them, Moses was keeping long and so they took a decision; a decision to find another God!  Jesus said ‘Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. ² In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. ³ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. ⁴ And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.’ He will come back again, but for they that had patience to wait for His coming. Who is on the Lord’ s side? Jesus is coming again!!!

So many people are on certain paths of life because they think Jesus Christ is keeping long! So many people are thinking of different options because they think God is keeping long in answering them and He is delaying to give them what they desire!  What do you want? Apostle Paul said ‘¹⁹ But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.‘

What are you doing because of impatience? Have patience! Where are you going because of impatience? Hold on and wait upon the Lord! Do you want to understand how to walk with God? Think about Abraham! 

Most of the problems we have today is as a result of impatience! We least have the patience to wait for the will, purpose and plans  of God to be done! May we have patience! Amen!

The chosen ones

EXODUS      31     IN     FOCUS

Then the Lord said to Moses, ² “See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, ³ and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills

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We have a Father, He has chosen us! We have a Father, He knows us! We have a Father, He is able to provide! God chose Bezalel and Oholiab. God chose them for His purpose. We were not born in Israel, but, He has chosen us. Oh Yes! He has chosen us in our generation.  It is written ‘⁹ But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; ‘ — 1 Peter 2: 9.  We are not just any people but, special people. Praise be unto our God! Praise be unto Jehovah! Hallelujah!

A caring employer always provides all that his employees will need to accomplish their work effectively and efficiently and the only thing the employees will have to do is to work hard with diligence. God chose Bazalel and Oholiab and He gave them wisdom. He filled them with His Spirit. Apostle Paul wrote

‘ ¹⁴ For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. ¹⁵ The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship.^[f] And by him we cry, “Abba,^[g] Father.” ¹⁶ The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. ¹⁷ Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. 

A football player who makes it to the first eleven in a highly competitive team where every player is good enough to play will do all things possible to prove his coach right for the choice. He will play to the very best of his ability to ensure nothing but victory.

It is! We have been chosen! We who were not Israelites, we have been chosen! What a privilege! We agree with John Newton (1725-1807),  to say

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

T’was Grace that taught my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed.

T’was Grace that taught my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed.

 

                                                  Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come;
‘Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far
and Grace will lead me home.

                                                         The Lord has promised good to me.
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.

                                                      Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.

                                                            Yes, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease;
I shall profess, within the vail,
A life of joy and peace.

                                                          When we’ve been there ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun.
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
Than when we’ve first begun.

Chorus:

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

Amazing grace! Oh yes, it’s an amazing grace. ¹² Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. ¹³ For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. Romans 8. We must live according to the grace we have obtain. We must live to merit the amazing grace! We must live to prove the unmerited favor right. We have an obligation! God has chosen us!