One Year Bible - February 24
Scriptures to read:
Matthew 5:21-48; Exodus 30-32; Proverbs 14
I've been so blessed by the New North devotionals since shelter-in-place started almost a year ago. So first, thank you to all who already wrote devotionals! Second, I really encourage all to continue daily digging in God's word. It is so rich and the Holy Spirit is faithful in teaching and reminding us His Word. Third, thank you all for reading more. God is merciful to allow this opportunity to write and may the meditation of His word be pleasing to Him.
We are in the middle of Exodus. We see how faithful God is to His promises, He displayed his power delivering the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt. God was with them, leading through pillar of cloud by day, pillar of fire by night, providing manna. God has shown his glory (Ex19). God then shared His commandments and regulations, and the people agreed to be obedient (Ex 19, 24). Today in Ex 30-31 is part of the detailed instruction/prescription God has on how to build a sanctuary, the Tabernacle.
Imagine, God is not just ruling the cosmos, He cares for each person. He identified and prepared skillful people to accomplish the tasks, specifically for Bezalel, God said, "I have filled him with the Spirit of God in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all kinds of craftsmanship." (Ex 31:3). May He humble us to discern and to offer up all the wisdom, understanding, knowledge, skills, craftsmanship, strength, that God has given us, for His purpose.
Right after that section on work skills, God says in Ex 31:12-17 laying out the command to have sabbath rest as a sign covenant. This sabbath day was first mentioned back in Gen 2:3. "Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it." It's part of the 10 commandments to keep Sabbath holy. The commandment reads "You shall surely observe My sabbaths; for this is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I am the Lord who sanctifies you." May we thank Him for giving us sabbath rest, we devote to trust Him as our Lord, our Provider, rather than slaving ourselves to work, money, pleasures, idols.
When I read Proverbs 14, I parked at verses 26-27, "In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence, and His children will have refuge. The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, that one may avoid the snares of death." I believe fear of the Lord is very important, such that the Preacher in Ecclesiastes concluded, Ecc 12:13-14 "The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil." May we set apart ourselves from sin and worldly traps. May the Holy Spirit help us to not fear the world, men, or circumstances, but instead to fear the Lord.
Memory Verse: In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence, and His children will have refuge. - Proverbs 14:26
Prayer: Teach me Your way, O LORD; I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name. I will give thanks to You, O Lord my God, with all my heart, and will glorify Your name forever.
