Exodus 19:3-5, "Then Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain and said, "This is what you are to say to the descendants of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel: ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself.  Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession."

 

Think

After crossing the Red Sea, the Israelites went to an ‘M&M' concert where they heard Moses and his sister Miriam perform the Bible's first praise song. Everyone celebrated and worshiped God for their newfound freedom. However, the Israelite's positivity was short-lived. Soon they were acting like ‘Air Heads' and began whining and moaning about Moses' leadership. Meanwhile, on the ‘Mounds' of Mount Sinai, Moses received God's law and instructions for holy living. And in Exodus 31:18 we learn, "When the Lord finished speaking to Moses... He gave him the two stone tablets of Testimony... inscribed by the finger of God". But then Moses learned that Israelites were worshiping a golden calf. Enraged by seeing his people dancing around the calf, he threw down the God-inscribed tablets and they broke into a bunch of ‘Reece's Pieces.' What can we learn from this? If we cross the line, it's going to be about the whine. When we grow impatient and think God is not responding when or how we think He should, we start to grumble with a "poor me" victim mentality. Then, we cross the line by seeking to soothe and satisfy ourselves with the wrong things. But the reality is, God owes us nothing! It is solely by His amazing grace and abounding love that He sent His only Son to die for our sins and rise again. The next time you feel discontent, don't whine and cross the line. Rather, trust God's plan and stay in line!

 

Act

Read Exodus 32. What is your "golden calf"? What do you turn to when you feel dissatisfied or discontent? What can you do differently the next time you feel this way?

 

Pray

Lord Jesus, forgive me when I grow impatient and turn to the wrong things for satisfaction. I know that whatever I turn to apart from You is meaningless. Thank You for always knowing what I need and when I need it. In Your name I pray, Amen.