One truth everyone needs
Week 5 in the Word
Looking back
This past week we advanced 400 years from the death of Joseph to the birth of Moses under the oppressive rule of the then-current Pharaoh. The Israelites are enslaved, yet God is faithful to His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Deliverance comes after ten God-sent plagues. Moses leads the nation out from Egypt through the Red Sea and into the wilderness. Pharaoh and his army are destroyed in the process. Lack of food and water and military conflict meets the Israelites, but God continues to teach them that He will provide for them. Did your faith in God’s power and goodness grow as you read?
Did you notice how patient Jesus is with His disciples? Despite their need for the same lessons over and over, the Lord guides them into the truth about themselves and about Himself. Is this not true of us as well? Praise God for His patience to us!
Looking ahead
In this fifth week in the Word, we will continue following the Israelites as they journey on to the Promised Land. They arrive at Mt. Sinai where God appears to Moses and gives them His law for the nation. This law includes the moral code contained in the ten commandments as well as civil and ceremonial laws governing their social, economic and religious life.
In the gospel of Matthew, we progress toward the climax of Jesus’ earthly ministry as He teaches His disciples. Crowds hail Him as the Son of David upon His entry into Jerusalem. They see Him as the One promised by the prophets. Showing His authority, Jesus cleanses the temple and warns of coming judgment for the scribes, Pharisees, Sadducees and all who have disregarded or distorted God’s law.
What do these developments in Exodus and Matthew mean? The Lord is a Holy God, but His people struggle to trust and obey Him. Jesus tells them that the great commandment is to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Matt. 22:37). Biblical history displays the resistance of people to honor and to love God.
What important truth does all mankind need to know? It is that God is Lord of all creation, of all people, at all times and that everyone owes Him worship. That worship must not be mere formality. Rather it must involve every part of our being—our hearts, our minds, our souls. To acknowledge His existence and believe truth is essential, but not sufficient without loving Him fully. Our delight, our hope, and our trust must be in Him. He is our God and our only God. If we love Him, we will rid ourselves of every other competing idol that creeps into our hearts and minds. An evidence of love for God is daily reading and reflection on His Word.
Tip. As you read, use a notebook to jot down insights for further reflection or questions for additional study.
Week of January 29-February 4, 2021
January 29/Day 29 Who Would Begrudge Grace? (Exodus 19-21; Matthew 20:1-16) Audio here. January 30/ Day 30 Good Intentions Gone Bad (Exodus 22-24; Matthew 20:17-34) Audio here. January 31 / Day 31 God Always Initiates (Exodus 25-26; Matthew 21:1-22) Audio here. February 1/ Day 32 Authority Abused (Exodus 27-28; Matthew 21:23-46) Audio here. February 2/ Day 33 How to Be Properly Dressed for Heaven (Exodus 29-30; Matthew 22:1-22) Audio here. February 3/ Day 34 True Worship of the True God (Exodus 31-33; Matthew 22:23-46) Audio here. February 4/ Day 35 Two Keys to Blessing Too Often Missing (Exodus 34-36; Matthew 23:1-22) Audio here. If you do not have a copy of my book you may want to order one here. However, you may also access the daily audio recordings generously provided by my friend and pastor Charlie Evans above.
May your Bible reading show the depth of your love for God this week!