Jan.27 - Exodus 31 - 33

Wow! What an incredible read today! Israel goes from an exciting moment to a devastating moment in a matter of only 40 days - the amount of time Moses is up on Mount Sinai receiving the stone tablets of instruction.

God gives special gifts and talents to everyone! Chapter 31 opens with the reality that it is God who gives special gifts to men! Notice it's the Spirit of God who plays an active role in gifting mankind. In the book of Romans and 1 Corinthians you see the Spirit of God is responsible for distributing to EACH believer at least one special gift. What is yours? In 31:3 - the Holy Spirit gives Bezalel great wisdom to be gifted in ALL kinds of crafts! In 31:6, the Spirit of God is seen responsible for giving special skills to all the gifted craftsmen. Have you determined what special gift God has given you? If not, it's important to do so! You must use it and thank Him for it!

How quickly people can turn away from God! It takes only a short 40 days before Israel is found worshipping an idol! It's unfortunate that mankind needs a symbol for God. Remember what God did when he appeared to Israel at the Mountain of Sinai - there was an earthquake, a loud sound, smoke, and a dark cloud - all symbols that would be very difficult to reproduce and form into an object to worship. God knows man's heart! Some even pray to statue of saints as though they have some sort of connection or power with God. The fact is, they don't!!! And, this is the type of idol worship God is warning Israel about!

God's patience runs out! It's hard to imagine God's patience coming to an end, but it did! He tells Moses to stand back while He wipes out the entire nation of Israel and makes a new generation of people from him. God had shown them soooo much! Yet, like us today, they argued with God, blamed God, disobeyed God, and even showed very little faith in His ability. While the Bible does teach that God is longsuffering, we also see that His patience can run out! Is He running out of patience with you?

Aaron tries to shift the blame! Isn't that what we all try to do? Reading the account of Aaron's side of the story in 32:25-26 is funny. He puts the blame on the fact that he was pressured by the people and when he put their gold jewelry in the fire - out comes this calf already formed! Ha!

The most powerful prayer Moses ever prayed! Look at 33:13 - "Le me know your ways so I may understand you more fully and continue to enjoy your favor." Wow! Isn't that the prayer you and I ought to be praying every day! If you haven't prayed that yet, do it today!

One powerful truth! In 33:16, Moses states something that is critically important for you and I to think about! He says, "Your presence among us sets our people and me apart from all other people on the earth!" Isn't that true! It is God's presence in YOUR LIFE that sets YOU apart from everyone else too! Do others see God's presence in your life?

Going diving in Cancun! Have a great and wonderful day in the Lord!