When life is filled with drama and disappointment, it’s not easy to be at your best.
When others reject you or what is important to you, it’s tempting to do the same to them.
“Crass” sometimes pushes to replace the class you’re called to display.
For most of us, this doesn’t happen much. Thank God.
It only takes one lapse into the trap of getting even, though, before we realize the folly of being ruled by flesh rather than by faith.
I thank God that we serve a heavenly Father who has never slipped into the slop of ego-terrorism.
I was reminded of this holy fact today when reading Exodus 34 from the One-Year Bible.
Moses had been called back onto the top of Mt. Sinai in order to receive a new copy of the 10 Commandments and a new dose of inspiration from Jehovah.
You’ll recall that the earlier copy was smashed to pieces by Moses when he came off the mountain and saw the Israelites acting like drunken college students at a wild toga party staged to worship the team’s golden mascot.
Moses was disgusted, lost his temper and threw the God-inscribed stone tablets down with such force that they shattered into fragments.
But then the season of rage and punishment by death for 3,000 of the worst sinners was replaced by a time for starting over by God, by Moses and eventually by all of Israel.
Against this backdrop, what I read today was amazing yet not surprising.
Get this.
“Then the Lord came down in the cloud and stood there with him (Moses) and proclaimed His name, the Lord. And He passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, ‘The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin” (vv. 5-7a).
Wow.
God had just watched the ridiculous rebellion of the people He miraculously delivered.
Though He cleaned house with respect to some of the sinners, the vast majority was spared the destruction they deserved.
God’s heart had to have been deeply wounded by how His children treated Him.
Yet, at the very beginning of His next meeting on the mountain with Moses, God revealed the core of His heart.
Yes, He is mighty. And, yes, He is holy and won’t be mocked as the words following the above passage clearly show.
However, the text above shows God’s essence to be good and kind and nurturing and personal.
Remember, He is a perfect Daddy.
He is my perfect role model and I hope He fills that same role for you, whether you’re a dad or mom or aunt or uncle or grandparent or caring adult mentor.
People mess up. You mess up. I mess up.
We need a God who is compassionate.
A gracious God.
A God who is slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.
A God who maintains love to thousands.
A God who forgives wickedness, rebellion and sin.
A God who wants to be with us.
So do the people in our lives.
Please help them see God’s heart reflected in how you treat them.
Especially your family.
Even when others disappoint you, make sure they see that you are compassionate.
That you are gracious, slow to anger and abounding in love.
Be the poster child for faithfulness.
A believer who maintains love to thousands.
A believer who forgives wickedness, rebellion and sin.
A believer who wants to be with people despite their imperfections.
Just like the God who wants to be with you and with me.
As always, I love you
Martin
Hey Mr. Martin!
This morning devotion really meant a lot to me. I’ve been having problems with friends I used to have and it’s been difficult when it comes to anger and revenge. I just wanted you to know that I appreciate you adding me to your email blast list. I’m hoping it will help me grow in my faith.
Miss you all,
Steph.
Thank you for your devotion, brother. We are going to print it on this week’s eNewsletter. God bless you.
Thanks, Stephanie and Eddy, for allowing God’s perfect voice to speak to your hearts through my imperfect words. He is SO faithful to us, even during those times when we are not as faithful as we should be toward Him.
Blessings on you both!
Martin Drummond