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Jun 01, 2024 06:00am

Faithfully

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I’m currently working through a bible study on the book of Exodus. The first day of my study this week focused on Exodus 19:1-20:21.

In this passage of scripture, the Isrealites have made it to the foot of Mount Sinai. God reminds the people of who He is and the freedom He has secured for them.

God promises that if the people will obey His voice and keep His covenant that they will be His treasured possession, a kingdom of priests, a holy nation set apart for Him and His glory (Ex.19:5-6)

Following Moses delivering this promise from God, the people respond in verse eight of the text saying, “All the Lord has spoken we will do.”

Ironically, following Moses’ trek up Mount Sinai in chapter 20 where he receives and relays the ten commandments, the Israelites change their tune.

In Exodus 20:19 the people say to Moses, “You speak to us and we will listen; but do not let God speak to us, lest we die.”

How quickly, based on their current sight (i.e., trumpet sounding, thunder rolling, lightning flashing, and mountain smoking) had they forgotten that God was good and for them.

In their forgetfulness and fear, they reasoned that they were willing to listen to Moses, but labeled God as one they could not trust and therefore could not be obedient to.

After studying this portion of scripture, the study asked, why when making a vow to we say “I do” versus “I will give it my best shot?”

Thinking about this in relationship to obeying God, I believe we are called to an “I do” type covenant because our love for Him is to be unconditional. It must not be based on our current sight, feelings, and circumstances. It also is a love that must be submissive to His authority in our lives.

I’m reminded of Hebrews 11:1, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

True faith requires belief in God’s word and character and allowing this to guide our obedience rather than our what we see or feel in the moment.

As I typed that last sentence, I know it is true, but man… can it be hard to live out!

If I’m being honest, serving God with genuine faith often doesn’t make sense. In fact, in my human reasoning, I am quite good at “outsmarting God” and coming up with a “better” way.

If I am not careful, I, as the Isrealites did in this passage of scripture, begin to question if God’s plan and word is “good.” This is why I must keep my life in submission under His word.

Isaiah 55:8-9 says, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

Romans 8:28: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

He knows what He’s doing. His plans are for my good and better yet, for His glory.

The second question from the application portion of my study asked a twofold question, “have you ever hesitated to give your full verbal commitment in a relationship because it seems too difficult? Is it sinful to verbally commit to a covenant you have no chance of fulfilling perfectly?”

Sad to say, more times than I’d like to admit, when it comes to the things of God my answer to the first question has been “yes.”

There are many reasons I’ve given way to commitment phobia in my life….

– I forget His ways are better than my ways
-I forget I can trust Him
-I forget His purpose (His good purpose, that is)

Reading on in the passage, Moses reminds the people of God’s good purpose/plans for them stating, “Do not fear, for God has come to test you, that the fear of him may be before you and you may not sin.”

God freed the Isrealites from slavery in Egypt to be His; a people set apart for Him. His purpose in testing their faith was not to harm them, but to keep them in obedience to Him. This would in turn keep them safe from sin and death.

This is the same plan He has in testing our faith.

The key is remembering our vow to the Lord, to be set apart for Him, and allow that vow to lead us to trust and serve Him, not perfectly, but faithfully.