I’ve been reading again the exceptional story of the Exodus of God’s people out of Egypt. Let’s face it, we don’t like being in captivity or bondage. We want out. We want freedom.
This happened thousands of years before America demanded freedom from the British, and yet we Americans have a passionate desire to KEEP our freedoms! What people on Earth would resist freedom? None! (The only freedom we would ever resist is the freedom of the other guy, so that WE could live better by having him be our slave.)
God shows up, tells Moses what to do, and helps the people out of bondage. Drinks all around, right? No; murmuring and complaining all around! What’s WITH these people?
As the story goes on it gets worse. Instead of being a people full of FAITH, convinced by the mighty Hand of God upon Egypt, they keep resisting Moses, and God Who is directing him. Moses goes to meet with God up on the mountain, and the people violate the previously given ‘commandments,’ by again ‘forgetting what God said’ and off to do their own thing. In this case an idol. (Doing our own thing doesn’t seem to be working.)
What happened to faith?
Why did the people so quickly abandon their faith?
I can quickly move into praising God as I read this story of such a stubborn, stiff-necked people of the Old Covenant, rejoicing that I now live in the time of the New Covenant. I can easily worship God when I consider what He has done for me in, with, by, and through Jesus Christ. He has paid the price, and I am set free. Glory Hallelujah! I must say, however, it humbles me to think that I am not so much different from those folks in the days of the Exodus.
What happened to faith?
And how do we get it back?
By doing what we’re doing now?
Or, do we need to make the leap?
Trust God. Believe. Rejoice. And let His Holy Spirit change things…
Interesting factoid for me was that there’s no difference between Old Testament rebellious, stiff-necked, stubborn people and New Testament ones. As I studied Rev. 10:1, (Jesus coming down wrapped in a cloud with a rainbow over His head) it reminded me of the first time we saw a cloud and a rainbow together (Gen. 9:9-17).
What struck me was vs. 16, “The rainbow shall be in the cloud, and I will look on it to remember…” Huh! I always thought the rainbow was for us…no, according to this, it’s for God to remember. Remember what? Gen. 6:5-7 gives us the condition of mankind that caused the water judgement. Well, (I thought) what’s up in Revelation? And flipping back, there it is… Ch. 9:20-21. Same condition! No wonder Jesus wrapped Himself in His reminder before stepping into the middle of it!
Now, this thing about Faith; “Noah walked with God.” (6:9) Followed by, “I have seen that you are righteous before Me in this generation.” (7:1) Is it that simple? Norma H. calls it “Choices”. Something I’m thinking about alot these days. The beginning of faith is, I think, tied directly to my daily choices…to walk with God … or not. Once the right choice is made, the Holy Spirit (something the Old Testament believers didn’t get to experience much) is right there amping my faith to ever higher voltages!
God deserves worship because of His nature, but isn’t it wonderful that worship is also so good for us! I believe the act of worship actually breaks bondage, bringing us freedom!