The Well
The Well |
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Connecting Hope to the Hurting | |
Thursday
February 28, 2008
The Lord said to Moses, "Now that you have brought these people out of Egypt,
lead them to the land I solemnly promised Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. I told them
long ago that I would give this land to their descendants. And I will send an
angel before you to drive out the Canaanites, Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites,
Hivites, and Jebusites. Theirs is a land flowing with milk and honey. But I will
not travel along with you, for you are a stubborn, unruly people. If I did, I
would be tempted to destroy you along the way."
When the people heard these
stern words, they went into mourning and refused to wear their jewelry and
ornaments. For the Lord had told Moses to tell them, "You are an unruly,
stubborn people. If I were there among you for even a moment, I would destroy
you. Remove your jewelry and ornaments until I decide what to do with you." So
from the time they left Mount Sinai, the Israelites wore no more jewelry.
Exodus 33:1-6
Do you know any "unruly, stubborn people"? Unfortunately, I do. It is hard to function sometimes when we are in the presence of these people. Everywhere they go they wreak havoc. They move from one crisis to another. Their lives are totally out of control.
It amazes me how the Israelites responded to God's words about them. It seems as though they really repented. They actually went into mourning and refused to adorn themselves with jewelry. Part of repentance involves mourning. We recognize the truth about ourselves and determine to right the wrongs in our lives. At times that even means sacrificing something that is important to us; which is exactly what these people did.
We will not experience God's presence if we are living a life of unruliness or stubbornness. He is the God of order and peace. Oh, yes, He will love us ¾ He is taking these people from Egypt to the Promised Land, but He will not go with us, He will send an angel to take His place.
Father, we know that You desire submission and humility from us. We, like those Israelites so long ago, are stubborn, and at times, unruly. Help us bring order from the disorder, and live our lives in such a way that You will be comfortable in our presence. I much prefer You to an angel, but we do thank You for Your guardian angels as well. We thank You that even right now they are watching over our rebellious children and keeping them safe. We love You Lord.
