Daily Devotional

I have always looked down on the Israelites at this point for not waiting for Moses to come down before they lost heart. I mean it was right after all the huge miracles to get them out of Egypt and then the parting of the Red Sea. You would think they’d have more patience at this point.

I decided to read through a chronological Bible this time I read through the Word and when I got to this portion and read through all the instructions the Lord gave about how to build the temple and create the elements that would go into it, the clothes for Aaron and the priests, etc., I realized how long it was before the Lord actually gave the tablets of the Ten Commandments to Moses to take down to the people.
 
They really didn’t know Moses all that well. He just showed up and performed all those miracles, led them out, and then disappeared. It looks like they attributed all these happenings to Moses, so that when he was gone they figured all was lost and they better figure things out on their own. Isn’t that what happens when we panic and forget who has been in charge? God used Moses, but; it was the Lord who was leading and acting for them all along.
 
That can happen to me in the blink of an eye. I can be trusting the Lord and then something happens; I find out my kids aren’t getting along, a financial happening throws me into a tailspin, or maybe, like we found out recently, someone on staff is going to be stepping down (Pastor Jim's future retirement as Senior Pastor), and I can get that pit in my stomach that makes me want to throw up, or a heartache that makes me feel like I’m going to burst into tears and my mind cries out…”What am I going to do!” And then, hopefully, not too long into my misery… I remember God.
 
My friend Cindy expressed a word picture to me recently that really helped me realize how ludicrous my lack of faith can become when I wait too long to remember…God. My situation did not take God by surprise; He is not up in heaven looking down on me, wringing His hands, and crying out, “Oh dear, look what happened in Laurel’s life, what am I going to do?” He is waiting for me to take it to Him in prayer, to wait on Him to give me what I need, or maybe to give others what they need.
 
Waiting can sometimes be a huge part of the process of God working out His plan in me or in others. And during that waiting time, He is taking care of business. In the case of Moses, He was giving instructions. In the case of the Israelites, I think He was hoping they would put their trust in Him and not in man. Two questions I should ask myself when I’m in panic mode: 1) Is God trying to teach me something? and 2) Are my eyes on man or am I trusting God?

"Trust In God"
Brandon Lake, Chris Brown, Mitch Wong, and Steven Furtick

Verse 1
Blessed assurance
Jesus is mine
He's been my fourth man in the fire
Time after time
Born of His Spirit
Washed in His blood
And what He did for me on Calvary
Is more than enough

Chorus 1
I trust in God
My Savior
The One who will never fail
He will never fail

Verse 2
Perfect submission
All is at rest
I know the author of tomorrow
Has ordered my steps
So this is my story
And this is my song
I’m praising my risen King and Savior
All the day long

Misc 1
I sought the Lord and He heard and He answered
I sought the Lord and He heard and He answered
I sought the Lord and He heard and He answered
That’s why I trust Him
That’s why (I trust Him)

_{©Brandon Lake Music (Admin by Essential Music Publishing), Maverick City Publishing Worldwide (Admin by Essential Music Publishing), Music by Elevation Worship Publishing (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC), and Remaining portion is unaffiliated. CCLI Song #7206001  CCLI License #144020}

"New King James Version (NKJV) Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved."