"More Faithful than Our Failure" February 9 Readings: Exodus 33-34, Matthew 24:36–51, Psalm 21:6–13, Proverbs 4:25-26

 

 

Reading the Bible in 2023

Each day this year we will read a selection from the Old Testament, the New Testament, a portion of the Psalms, and part of Proverbs. By the end of the year, you will have read the entire Bible. We read this way to give you a bit of variety. In reading four portions of God's word in a day, one of them is bound to speak to your life!

NOTE: if you get behind, do not give up. Read today's readings and try to catch up when you have a chance. The goal is not to "accomplish a task" but to meet God in his word. Read the word. Also, if you are short on time, READ GOD'S WORD and skip my devotional!

Bible Readings: Exodus 33-34, Matthew 24:36–51, Psalm 21:6–13, Proverbs 4:25-26

    Scriptures linked to Bible Gateway in ESV version 

Daily Devotional:  More Faithful than Our Failure

There are ignorant people who claim that the God of the Old Testament was mean, harsh, and cruel, and they contrast him to the God of love revealed in the New Testament. Such nonsense. Yes, the God of the OT is holy, giving his law and expecting his people to obey it. He punishes evildoers and protects his people from their enemies. All of that is true. But to overlook his love and kindness is willful folly. 

You need to look no further than Exodus 34 to settle the issue of God's love and mercy. Eight words in that passage tell us all we need to know. about God's nature. 

It is crucial that we remember what was going on leading up to Exodus 34. Israel had insulted God in the worst way - by turning to the worship of an idol while Moses was on the mountain receiving God's law. As Moses came down from the mountain and saw the offensive worship, he broke the tablets signifying that Israel had broken God's Law. And God was upset by their sin, make no mistake about it. 

But look at verse 1 and see what God said to Moses. 

"Cut two stone tablets like the first ones."

God does not give up on people when they fail. He may discipline his children and that discipline might be harsh, but he never leaves and he never forsakes. His gifts and call are irrevocable. The One who begins the good work will carry it on to completion. 

When Israel failed, God did not give up on them. He did not throw them away. He did not run out on them. He did not find another people to love. He did not pour out his wrath on them to destroy them. No, he did not. He renewed his covenant and gave his people another chance to get it right. 

I can remember one time when I was repenting of the same sin for about the 3 millionth time, I thought, "God, you must be ready to give up on me." That is human thinking; stupid thinking! God does not give up on his children. Throughout Israel's history, they were consistently disobedient and unfaithful to him. But in spite of all that, God was consistently faithful and merciful to his chosen nation. 

Now, isn't that good news? You messed up yesterday and the day before. The day before that, too. Oh, our sin is nothing to take lightly. It is offensive and must be resisted, and it often carries consequences with it. Grace ought never to be an excuse for careless, unholy living. But we can be confident that God is faithful. He was in the Old Testament to Israel. He was in the New Testament to the church. And he is today in our lives. Confess. Repent. Seek renewal in Christ and walk in the power of the Spirit!

When you mess up, God's faithfulness overwhelms your sin. He wears you down with his grace as the process of sanctification continues, and he slowly transforms you to be like Christ. When you fail him, he says to you, 

Cut two stone tablets and let's try this again!

Father, I do not want to be unfaithful to you; not for a day, not for a minute. But I have been and you know that. And I will be, and you know that. I hate my sinful waywardness. But I rejoice that I am secure not in my own righteousness but in yours. I revel in your faithfulness and rely on your grace and mercy daily. 

Consider God's Word:

Did one of these passages speak strongly to you today? Which one? 

Is there sin in your life that needs to be confessed and dealt with that was revealed in one of these passages? 

Is there a struggle in your life that one of these passages spoke to? 

Give thanks today that God gives second chances.
Though this must never be an excuse it is always a comfort, is it not?