They had said they would follow all of God’s commands, they had seen the miracles, they had seen the clouds of smoke surround the Mount as Moses went up to speak with God. As God wrote the tablets of stone and gave Moses all the parts of the law, the people became filled with fear and wondered if Moses would return. They wanted someone to lead them and then made idols of Gold to worship and to be as their God. We may look at them and say, “What a foolish people they were. If God had done all that in my life, I would never doubt Him.” Don’t kid yourself. They did not have the gift of the Holy Spirit inside them to guide them as we do. They saw God as “a thick unapproachable cloud—as is the case under the law”.
Artwork used by written permission Ronald Barba
Can you count the number of times that you thought you had heard God’s voice you had said, “Yes, Lord.” Then in the dark recesses of the night or when trials seem to arise, you would fall before Him defeated.
Oh, neither am I making excuses for them; but, merely saying we are so much like them. When God sends us to a place and the command as to the next step tarries, do we not also try to fix it all with our own hands? We turn our backs on God and we seek pleasures from this world. We seek recognition, position, and self fulfillment. When Moses returned, he found the people dancing around and worshipping the “golden calf” that they had made. Were it not for grace, all would perish. Then the question that was of utmost importance. “Who is on the Lord’s side?” (Exodus 32:26). So, all those who chose to follow God were saved and those who did not perished. So let me help you distinguish here—those of us who know Christ as our Savior, may at times struggle in
our faith; but, when the call comes as to whose side we are on—God will look at us through the blood of Christ and still declare us righteous. Those who joined the crowds that appeared to follow after Christ and never asked Him in as Savior will perish. But for this moment, let us look at those of us who answered “yes, I am on the Lord’s side.”
The covenant God made with Israel stood firm because of God’s faithfulness. Any covenant, though it be between two stands only so long as one of the two stands firm in its fulfillment. Throughout this series, it has been evident that God would stand firm in fulfilling His Covenant built upon His Grace, Mercy and Love.
1. God’s Covenant Plan of Redemption by Grace through faith
2. God’s Covenant of His Own Faithfulness
The Israelite Nation’s story would repeat itself many times, much like our own—moments of great faith and moments of failure in faith. Still, as we look back over the corridors of history; we see God’s Faithfulness. Look at Isaiah 42, “5 Thus saith God the Lord, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein:6 I the Lord have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles;7 To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.8 I am the Lord: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.”
When I consider all that He has done throughout the ages and all that He has done in my life, I must fall at His feet with a love song of praise. How could I ever pass a day and not read His word so I might know Him more? How could I ever make a decision without asking Him to guide me? How can I pass even an hour without thinking of Him in my life? How can I ever fail to see Him as my Greatest Treasure—the only true treasure with which I cannot live without? He is my joy, my love and my hope. If there be any sorrow it is this—the more I know Him and the more I see His Glory, the more I regret my inability to love Him as I should.
© 2014 Effie Darlene Barba
Artwork used by written permission Ronald Barba © 2010 and is protected under copyright laws. If you desire copies please go to: http://fineartamerica.com/featured/broken-and-contrite-heart-ronald-barba.html
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