Wednesday, March 05, 2014

Exodus 33: 17 March 5, 2014 ASH WEDNESDAY

Greg Lund            
March 5, 2014
Exodus 33: 17

And the Lord said to Moses, I will do this thing that thou hast spoken: for thou hast found grace in my sight, and I know thy name.

Imagine a Christmas morning.  Two children in pajamas are standing by the Christmas tree, so tempted to rip into the boxes of gifts.  They call out, “Mama!  Hurry up and come in here so we can open our presents!”  There is no answer.  Then they remember how naughty they were the day before.  They threw a football in the living room and broke an antique vase.  All day they had sassed and disobeyed. 

The two find their mother at the kitchen table, hunched over a cup of coffee.  She doesn’t look up as she answers.  “You two go ahead and open the presents I bought you.  Enjoy them.  But don’t expect me to come along.  I’m still too angry about how you acted yesterday.” 

In Exodus 33, God’s people anger Him by bowing down to a golden idol.  The Lord tells Moses, “You and the people go to the Promised Land, a land of milk and honey; but I will not go up among you…for you are a stiff-necked people.”  What good are God’s presents without God’s presence?

Moses prays, “If Thy presence will not go with me, do not carry us up from here.” In other words, “If you’re not coming along, God, I’m not going.”  God responds, “This very thing I will do, for you have found grace in my sight.”  Grace is another word for acceptance.  God goes with us, even when we fail.  All we need do is humbly ask. 


Gracious God, forgive our disobedience.  Thank You for not abandoning us.  We need You with us as we travel on.  Amen.  

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