One Year Bible, February 11

EXODUS 32:1-33:23
The excuse given for the people's rebellion was that Moses was delayed in coming back from being with God and they didn't know what had happened to him. The test of delay will manifest faithfulness or unfaithfulness. I chuckle at Aaron's description of how they got the gold idol: (32:24) "I put the gold into the fire, and out jumped this calf!"

After leading a whole nation in repentance and worship, Moses prayed for God's Presence to go with them, and said he wanted to know "God's ways" (33:13), and God must have heard him because Psalm 103:7 reports, "He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel." God's way is the way of grace, and that is what sets us apart from everyone else.

In answer to Moses' plea to see God's glory, God agreed to allow His "goodness" to be seen and His Name to be known. "Goodness" in the Bible has to do with usefulness, suitability, and being able to fulfill its purpose. In God's case, His goodness is full of mercy and grace, long-suffering, loving-kindness (like a mother's milk letting down when the baby cries) strength, steadfastness, love and truth. But first, BEFORE you see God's glory, there are preparations.

RESPONSE:    Your glory IS Your goodness! What makes You so glorious is Your wonderful goodness and greatness. When I praise You for Your goodness and greatness, I am giving You glory! What a wonderful and awesome God You are! You are good! Ultimate good!

MATTHEW 26:69-27:14
After Jesus was captured, while He was still being examined by Pilate and the Sanhedrin, we have two of the 12 disciples responding to the situation. Judas, who had betrayed Jesus and aided in His capture for 30 pieces of silver, "was seized with remorse". The KJV says he "repented". Peter, who also betrayed Jesus, but with words, denying he even knew Him, "went out and wept bitterly", which showed the "fruits of repentance" (Matt 3:8 Judas went on to kill himself. Peter went on to preach at Pentecost. ). What made the difference?  The difference was in their reaction to what they had done. Judas showed regret and remorse and hopelessness. Peter, on the other hand, had a change of heart and mind real repentance). We have further insight into Judas's mindset in Acts 1:18-25. It says that in killing himself, he "burst open" (He may have fallen from the noose after putrefying awhile and then burst on impact.) But the words used also describe an old, worn-out wineskin that someone unwisely filled with new wine (Matt 9:17). Judas, in trying to force the Gospel of the Kingdom into his old mindset of dominion in an earthly kingdom, burst himself. Acts 1:25 says he "fell by transgression"; he overstepped himself in an effort to force Jesus' hand, to establish His earthly kingdom out of timing. 

Every sin is a betrayal because it is rebellion and a declaration of independence. We cannot live independent of God. So, when we repent, we must re-connect with God or we haven't completed the transaction. This way, too, we are not stuck in a mindset of hopelessness. We take our mind and affections off ourselves and put them back on God where they belong. Anything less is self-centered. This is why true repentance does not make me feel guilty, but worthless. But Jesus is worthy. He removes the shame, the fear, the abandoned feeling - and restores me to Himself.

RESPONSE:    I can remember "repenting" like Judas did. I was sorry I got caught and now people would know how rotten I am. That made me feel hopeless, like I would never get it right. I was even a little angry that God had cornered me. But I found out soon enough that the only way up, is down. 1 Peter 5:5-6 says, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.." And when God "opposes" (resists) me - nothing goes right! I can come easy, or I can come hard................why don't I just repent right away? I know I'm going to repent eventually anyway!

PSALM 33:1-11
It actually says that "praise is comely for the upright." It makes us better-looking! Verse 5 actually says that "the earth is full of the goodness of the Lord" as demonstrated by that fact that He created it with just words! Everyone should stand in awe of Him! Including "the nations", who THINK they rule the earth. But God's purposes trump anything the nations have planned. So, who is really in charge? "The plans of the Lord stand firm forever."

PROVERBS 8:33-36
Seeking and then exercising wisdom is a life or death matter. It is suicidal to reject wisdom.

RESPONSE:   Acting the fool is self-destructive. Lord, I want more wisdom. Not just so I'll look good, but so I please You. I know that it is YOUR plans and purposes that run the world. If my own purposes don't line up with Yours, I am wasting my time and energy.