Devition 6.10.26

Exodus 19:2 - 9

"...Moses went up to God. The Lord called to him out of the mountain, saying, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the people of Israel: 4 ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself. 5 Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; 6 and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel.”

"7 So Moses came and called the elders of the people and set before them all these words that the Lord had commanded him. 8 All the people answered together and said, “All that the Lord has spoken we will do.” And Moses reported the words of the people to the Lord. 9 And the Lord said to Moses, “Behold, I am coming to you in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with you, and may also believe you forever.”

Upon seeing God's mighty hand deliver them from Egypt, the people of Israel promise to never forget the works of God.

"I promise dad, I'll treat it well. I will do all the things required to take care of her. I'll treat her like my own!" I was heard to say as the time for my first car drew near. Of course, I didn't, but you say things sometimes due to youth, because you don't realize the adult you are talking to made similar promises at his age.

Israel, as a young nation in search of itself, is guilty of the same thing.

"All that the Lord has spoken we will do." Famous last words. In a short period of time, the people will rebel and say, "Would that we had died in the land of Egypt...," looking back fondly on the days of slavery (14:2). Moses had to think at times, "God, you can have these people. I'm done."

How easy it is to forget all God has done for us. How easy it is to not know his Word, to be unfamiliar with it, and to think we actually got to this point in our lives all on our own. How easy it is to forget the salvation, planned essentially since creation (given that the fall occurred shortly after), is done by God's hand, not our own works. How easy it is to forget God delivered me from my own frail schemes, stupid decisions, sins and a host of other forms of sin, still thinking I'm God. How easy it is to forget he does not hold our sin against us, that it is forgiven, and that we are to be with him eternally. 

You get the point.

Israel forgot and so do we. Like my dad, God knew and knows how frail we are. "Feet of clay" is how a friend of mine once said it, citing the king's vision in Daniel 2, a towering statue with "legs of iron, and feet of clay." We think we are strong and powerful, but we are weak and unstable.

Thank God for his plan of salvation that rescues me (and you) from our frailty. Like the psalmist in yesterday's devotion, "For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations." (Psalm 100:5)

Gracious God, We give thanks to you and praise you for your plan of salvation. Forgive me for the times I forget you saved me and delivered me. Strengthen my feet of clay to help me through each day. In Christ's name, Amen.

Hope Men's Ministry is a ministry in service to Hope Lutheran Church and School. Our purpose is to grow, unite, and share God's Word to all men through meaningful activities. These activities center on fellowship, service, conversation, prayer, study and devotion as we seek to become men of God as He