Exodus 32 - 7.15.26

Scripture: Exodus 32:1

“When the people saw that Moses was so long in coming down from the mountain, they gathered around Aaron and said, “Come, make us gods who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who brought us up out of Egypt, we don’t know what has happened to him.”

Observation

The people of Israel knew that Moses went up the mountain to talk with God. In fact, just a few chapters earlier in Exodus 24, Moses shared with them everything God had told him from his last trip. And the people replied, “Everything God said, we’ll do. Yes, we’ll obey.” But a short time later, they got tired of waiting and they forgot everything they had promised to do. They thought - we don't need Moses (who they had asked to speak to God on their behalf) - we'll take matters into our own hands.

Application

Was there ever a time you got tired of waiting for God to answer or intervene and you decided to take matters into your own hands? Maybe we didn't trust God to provide, so we took a job that kept us away from fellowship with other believers. Maybe we got tired of waiting for a godly partner and settled for a bad relationship. There are so many times that we justify our actions, when deep down we know that it is not what God wants for us. And like the people of Israel, we pay the consequences.

I'm also struck by how quickly they went from we'll do everything God said to we'll make ourselves a new God. If we don't pursue relationship with God every day, it is amazing how quickly our hearts can become hardened. It seems pretty obvious that God knows what's best for us - far better than we do. And in spite of that we so easily lose faith.

This is where the family of God steps in - to encourage, support, and pray for each other - to hold each other up and strengthen each other's faith.

Hebrews 10:24-2: “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together... but encouraging one another.”

Galatians 6:2: “Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”

Hebrews 3:13: “But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called ‘Today,’ so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.”

Prayer

God, I acknowledge your lordship over my life. I know that you have a purpose and plan for me. Continue to strengthen my faith and help me to trust you in all things. Thank you for the many times you have brought others alongside to pray for me, encourage me, and support me. I pray for others who need their faith strengthened today. Speak to them and let them know of your great love for them. Remind them that you are a good father and your plan is better than anything we could ask or imagine. Amen

- Debbie Dunn