[1 Samuel 1-2]

H – 1 Samuel 2:35, “And I will raise up for myself a faithful priest, who shall do according to what is in my heart and in my mind. And I will build him a sure house, and he shall go in and out before my anointed forever.”

E – Faithful Father and Priest!!!!!

The story of Eli and his two sons in light Elkanah, Hannah, and Samuel is convicting. Let’s look at the difference. 

Hannah desired a child and vowed if the Lord would ever allow it she would give him to the Lord all the days of his life, taking on the Nazarite vow (1:11). She made her mind and heart up that her child belonged to the Lord. And now, totally surrendering her child to the Lord, this Samuel grew in the presence of the Lord (2:21)

Eli, a chosen priest from the lineage of Levi, had two sons (Hophni and Phinehas). According to scripture these sons were worthless and wicked men (2:12). And, from reading, there is a clear picture why. 

1. Eli did not Disciple them. He was not a faithful father, nor Priest. These sons did not know the Lord (2:12); which means that they just went through the motions that their father allowed. Apparently Eli didn’t take the time to teach them the things of God. He spent his time teaching them the customs he allowed into his ministry (2:13), instead of the commandments that God had called him to. Thus, these sons treated all things given and done to the Lord with contempt (2:17). 

2. Eli did not Discipline them. Now automatically when a lot of people hear the word discipline they’re tempted to bug out. Many think discipline in form of some type of physical abuse, like a good ole whipping. But that’s not always the case. I would encourage you to take your Bible and read Hebrews 12:3-11. Seriously, do it now!! None the less, there was such a lack of discipline that these sons would not listen to the voice of their father (2:25), doing wicked godless things. And yet, Eli still let them serve. The Lord God had a Word for Eli, “you honor your sons above me” (2:29). 

The Lord would have no more of it. The Lord sent a man of God to tell Eli what was about to happen and it wasn’t good. All of the descendants of his house, including him, were about to die and the Lord would raise up a faithful priest, who would do what was in the Lord’s heart and mind and not his own. 

A – I remember the words of one of my Pastor friends. He said, “Jonathan, you can disciple the whole world, but if you fail to disciple your children then you have failed.” I want my children to know the Lord. Not by what I say, but by what I say and do. I don’t want to be a fake. I don’t want to be one person at church (as a priest) and another person at home (as a father). I never want my children to question my integrity, nor act out my unfaithfulness. The only way that can happen is if I am part of a godly disciple process in their life. 

Discipline is necessary. There has to be learned consequences for disobedience. Now again, this does not always mean physical discipline, although I don’t “lovingly” mind it. There is a lot that can be learned through a child by teaching and equipping through other actions. But as a father I need to be careful not to honor my children above God. They are His and I need to treat them that way. 

R – Lord God, thank you for loving me. Lord, help me to be a faithful father and Priest. Father, forgive me for when I have not been a either. Help me be reminded that my children belong to you. Raise up my family to be mighty warriors for King Jesus. 

In Jesus Name!

[Deuteronomy 5-6]

H – Deuteronomy 6:4, “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.”

E – The word “Shema” in Hebrew means to “hear” or “listen up”. The word that Israel needed to hear was The LORD alone is Israel’s God, “YHWH (The LORD) is the only one.” It was a statement of exclusivity. 

Why is that so important?

Because if Israel didn’t know that YHWH was exclusively their God and continued to remember, then they had no reasoning, nor the power, to diligently keep the commandments (v.17). 

But, if they knew that YHWH was exclusively their God and had rescued them out of slavery, delivered them from the enemy, showed them over and over His signs and wonders, brought them to His promise (4:20-24), and continued to preserve their life, then they are gonna want to continue to follow that ONE and do everything He asked them to do, because they knew it’s for their good (4:24-25).

Therefore, Israel knew that this ONE, exclusively their God, was to be adored more than anything. He should be their first priority and the primacy of what they taught (v.7-10), because only Israel’s God could truly be victorious in all of their life’s journey. 

Deuteronomy 6:5–6, “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. [6] And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart.”

A – When YHWH is exclusively my God, I don’t want to forget it. I know the Power of His Salvation, rescuing, deliverance, and I want others to know it also. The same God of Israel is the same God I serve today. Therefore, I should have a desire to diligently teach of Him and lead by example for my family, Faith Family, and make much of Him (testify) on life’s journey. 

R – Lord God, thank you for being my God. Lord, convict me of sin that I would be careful to follow You. Lord, help me to prioritize my time well so I can teach my children of You, lead them by example, and to testify of Your goodness as I go. Lord God, raise up a mighty army for King Jesus with my children and Lord willing one day their children’s children. Lord God, raise up servant leaders that will guide our Faith Family to diligently seek You. And Lord, allows us the opportunity together to impact our world. 

In Jesus Name!

[Exodus 16-17]

H – Exodus 17:4, “So Moses cried to the LORD, “What shall I do with this people?………”

E – I’ve had enough!

Have you ever been to the place that you’ve had enough of people? (hahaha) Boy, I have. But, if I’m honest I’m sure that because of my attitude and actions, at times, others have had enough of me too. 

I’ve ben amazed in reading through Exodus how many times that God acted to show that He was the LORD. He acted over and over again so the people would know that HE was the LORD. 

Yet, after a great deliverance (ch.14) and a worship session of triumph and praise (ch.15), it didn’t take long for the people to look inward instead of upward. They began to look at what they didn’t have instead of what they did have. Oh my! (that “oh my” was for me)… They began to grumble. They were thirst, they were hungry, they were tired, they didn’t get what they wanted. Then the grumble of selfishness turn outward in attack to someone else, Moses and Aaron. [It’s always someone else’s fault for why I don’t have what I think I need = victim mentality]. 

However, Moses paints one of the most amazing theological statements for God’s people yesterday, today, and forever. Exodus 16:7–8, “[7] …… or what are we, that you grumble against us?” [8] …… the LORD has heard your grumbling that you grumble against him—what are we? Your grumbling is not against us but against the LORD.”

It’s so easy to grumble against others as we focus inwardly on what we have, don’t have, want, don’t want, and personal preferences; just as long as I’m comfortable with me and I get what I want. You see the people of Israel thought they were grumbling against Moses and Aaron. But, because Moses and Aaron were walking in obedience to the LORD, their grumbling was against HIM. 

But, isn’t it just like God to take a people’s selfishness and still reveal Himself (16:12) and call them to what He has always and will always call them to; OBEDIENCE (16:20,27). It was through their obedience that HE would meet their needs and give them what they desired. 

However, they didn’t listen, they didn’t obey, and their grumbling turned to quarreling. They couldn’t get over their give me, give me, give me selfishness and wondered if the LORD was even with them (17:7)[Don’t we at times ask the same?]. HE HAD BEEN WITH THEM THE WHOLE TIME, showing Himself over and over and over and over again. 

Moses had had enough! 

It could have been easy for Moses to give up, throw in the towel, crawl in a hole, be done ministering to others, but he didn’t. At one of his most weary moments, in the midst of the grumbling, quarreling, and an attack of God’s people by the Amalekities; God used Aaron and Hur (companions to Moses) to minister to him. They lifted him up and kept him steady. 

Which bring me to the point! We don’t need to give attention to the grumbling or the quarreling, allowing them to take our focus away from obedience. However, we do need others in the battle with us. We need people to lift us up, not tear up down. We need others to hold us steady, not knock us over. We need others to battle with us, not stab us in the back. 

AND, I NEED TO BE THE SAME FOR OTHERS. 

A – Don’t let my “I’ve had enough of people” take my focus away from obedience or keep me away from the people I need the most; those who see my weariness and lift me up. Notice my Aaron and Hur’s. Who are they? Spend time with them. Let them invest into my life. Don’t run away or hide. Embrace them, be encouraged by them, let them bear the burdens with me (ch.18), and thank God for them. 

Remain Obedient!

R – Lord God, I know I’ve been like Israel. I have been selfish. I have complained, grumbled, and quarreled over not getting the things that I wanted. Lord thank you for not giving up on me during those moments and for continuing to show yourself to me. Thank you for opening up my eyes. They need to be continually opened. Lord God, thank you for the Aaron and Hur’s that you have used in my life to encourage me and hold me steady when I’ve been wearied by others and wanted to throw in the towel. Lord, I confess today that I am here and who I am because “You Are My Banner” (17:15).

In Jesus Name!

[Exodus 13-14]

H – Exodus 14:31, “Israel saw the great power that the LORD used against the Egyptians, so the people feared the LORD, and they believed in the LORD and in his servant Moses.”

E – Who gets the Glory?

It was time! It was time for the people of Israel to be delivered from Egyptian bondage and slavery. God had prepared His people and Pharaoh had had enough. The proclamation of “Let my people go” had finally lead to a “get out of here, all of you”. 

However, when God gave the people of Israel the go ahead, they didn’t leave by what seemed to be an easy traditional route. They headed towards wilderness land. But, for what purpose? For God to get ultimate glory over Pharaoh, all his host, and for all the people to know that “I am the LORD” (14:4, 17). 

Yet, when things seemed complicated, panic drew near, and chaos ensued the people of Israel went back to doing what they did best (I see us here). They begin to complain, they questioned God, they doubted their deliverance, and they regretted leaving slavery. Notice the three questions and response. It’s worth reading and re-reading. 

Exodus 14:10–12, “[10] When Pharaoh drew near, the people of Israel lifted up their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them, and they feared greatly. And the people of Israel cried out to the LORD. [11] They said to Moses, (1) “Is it because there are no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? (2) What have you done to us in bringing us out of Egypt? [12] (3) Is not this what we said to you in Egypt: ‘Leave us alone that we may serve the Egyptians’? (4) For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.”

It seemed over. Their lives, over. Their past, over. Their future, over. Doesn’t fear make us feel like we’re fixing to loose everything and my life will be over, as I know it? Oh, but if they only knew. If I only knew! I only have to be silent, let the LORD fight my battles, and see His hand going before me (14:13-14). 

Then, God did God stuff and the LORD saved Israel (14:30). The people experienced redemption. They saw the hand of God. They were awestruck at what the LORD had done. They believed it was actually HIM and what Moses had proclaimed was true. And, there was only ONE that could get the GLORY. 

The people of Israel obviously couldn’t get the glory. They complained, questioned, doubted, and had moments of regret. They feared and panicked. BUT GOD;……. He gets the Glory!

I know it’s so easy to put the spotlight on the things we think that we are doing. Look what I did. See what I said. And, so forth. The question before us is, who are you and I giving glory to right now? 

That’s a question worth pondering. 

A – The strong hand of God has delivered me from the house of slavery (13:14). He alone gets the Glory. Therefore, knowing my rescue, I should live my life and my life should be marked for His continued glory (13:16). 

R – Lord God, I give you all honor, glory, and praise. For YOU have delivered me. You have rescued me from slavery, redeemed my past-present-future, and reconciled me to yourself. Glory! Lord, may my life be used by you to the point that all people will know that you are the LORD. Help me to never get over your salvation. Give me passion to tell others what you have done for me. And, lead me in the way of obedience. All for your Glory!

In Jesus Name!

[Exodus 10-11]

H – Exodus 10:3, “So Moses and Aaron went in to Pharaoh and said to him, “Thus says the LORD, the God of the Hebrews, ‘How long will you refuse to humble yourself before me?…….”

E – Where is the distinction? (11:7)

There should be a clear distinction between those that claim to be in Christ and those who are not. Pharaoh didn’t know the God of the Hebrew’s when he encountered Moses (5:2). He was living his distinction. He lived in his own power. However, after seeing sign after sign, his magicians giving up, and his people having enough, he still didn’t care enough to humble himself before God and kept hardening his heart. 

Through every, “Thus says the LORD,” moment Pharaoh couldn’t humble himself to surrender and tried to overcome those moments by playing hardball and exalting himself. Yet, after his own servants started having enough, he would emotionally respond to the LORD’s signs and wonders by claiming to be a sinner, in the wrong, and asking God for forgiveness and to take away the plague (9:27, 10:16-17). But, it never stuck and he kept hardening his heart. 

This morning this just hit me different. This is big. Christians should be distinctly different than others; living lives of humbleness, repentance, and obedience. Yet, when you look in the church you see a lot of the opposite. You see Pharaoh’s! Hardhearted people, who refuse to humble themselves, repent, and be obedient. Rather, you see many individuals who seek to power broker preferences and other people in the church. [Now, I’m not claiming this is every church and all people. I’m just claiming that there is not a huge distinction between the people that dawn the doors of the church and people who are living in the world]. Let me explain!

I see people in the church just like Pharaoh. They will cry out to God when things are going bad and make a spectacle. But, as soon as their plague has ended they’re back off into their own little world, hardening their heart to the things of God. 

I see people in the church just like Pharaoh. They will see the hand of God all around them, but refuse to humble themselves and let His Spirit take control. In other words there is a lack of surrender. I would allude it to many who want Christ as Savior, but have never made Him LORD. 

I see people in the church just like Pharaoh. They will make a little compromises that leads to bigger compromises (8:25, 10:11, 10:24) on who and how the Lord should be worshipped. In other words there is stipulations to who worships, where they worship, and how long they can be in worship. Just give me a day (preferably one that meets my schedule), one hour (no more, but can certainly be less), at this place (because it’s trendy), and that’s enough (I will feel good about myself). I’m good! 

I see people in the church just like Pharaoh. They will push back against the drawing of God’s Spirit and conviction; white knuckling a pew, justifying why they won’t surrender, make every excuse why they’re ok with themselves, and eventually push away (get away – 10:28).

“Thus says the LORD, How long will you refuse to humble yourself before me?”

A – Be distinctively different by believing in God, humbling myself daily through repentance, walking obediently before Him, and living a life of surrendered worship. 

R – Lord God, Oh Lord, I pray I would not allow my heart to become hard hearted. May there be a clear distinction in me. I pray people would see the light of Christ in my life. I pray that there would be no hesitation to conviction. I pray I would daily humble myself, seeing your hand all around me, and being able to proclaim “there is no God like the LORD God (8:10). 

Lord, I pray against the spirit of Pharaoh that plagues our churches. Lord, I pray you would open hearts, eyes, and minds to this deceptive spirit. Lord, send a revival that couldn’t be manipulated. Send a revival that all people will know that you are God and you have made a clear distinction (11:7). 

In Jesus Name!

[Exodus 8-9]

H – Exodus 8:10, “…… Moses said, “Be it as you say, so that you may know that there is no one like the LORD our God.”

E – There is no one like the LORD our God!

God had a great desire and plan to bring the people of Israel, His people, out of slavery and bondage. He used Moses and Aaron as His proclaimers, empowering them to speak “Thus says the Lord,” to Pharaoh. Yet, Pharaoh continued to harden his heart, just as the LORD had said. 

What is amazing to me is that through every plague Moses gets a little more confident. You can almost feel his disposition changing as you read. He has witnessed the hand of God. He has witnessed the power of God. And, he has witnessed the promises of God. He has witnessed Pharaoh’s magicians giving up with their “secret arts” in an attempt to keep up, even telling Pharaoh, “this is the finger of God.” Their magic ran out, but the power and promise of God never did. 

There is also a clear distinction between the people of Israel and the people of Egypt, and all their possessions. God caused plagues to happen to the people and possessions of Egypt, but the people and possessions of Israel would be spared. It would be through this purpose that God would show His power and His name be proclaimed in all the earth (9:16). 

A – There is no one like the LORD our God. Remain obedient. Ask, Seek, Knock. Expect Miracles. Proclaim His Name in all the earth. Believe He will fulfill His promises. 

R -Lord God, there is none like you. You are the Great I AM. You alone are LORD. God, I want to see you. I want to see your hand, your power, your deliverance, your redemption. God, I want to see your rescue in the lives of people. I want people to see the distinction so clearly and know that you are the LORD. God, send a Holy Ghost revival that brings awe and wonder to the name above every name, King Jesus. 

In Jesus Name!

[Exodus 6-7]

H – Exodus 6:6–9, “[6] Say therefore to the people of Israel, ‘I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will deliver you from slavery to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great acts of judgment. [7] I will take you to be my people, and I will be your God, and you shall know that I am the LORD your God, who has brought you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. [8] I will bring you into the land that I swore to give to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. I will give it to you for a possession. I am the LORD.’” [9] Moses spoke thus to the people of Israel, but they did not listen to Moses, because of their broken spirit and harsh slavery.”

E – A Broken Spirit!

It’s so easy to be hard hearted. If allowed, it takes only one situation, one circumstance, one ordeal to set our hearts hard. Then add another situation, circumstance, or ordeal and another stone gets placed on this already hardened heart. Then another. And another. And another. Before long, there is a heart of stone (Ezekiel 36). Because of a heart of stone there is a broken spirit. It’s like you’re almost numb and caught in a selfishly imposed denial trap. 

For one that’s not daily walking in covenant (relationship) and clinging to His promises proclaimed, it’s hard to hear and remember these words, “I am the LORD.” But, OH WHEN WE HEAR IT, it’s so much easier to rest in His Words, “I am with you.”

Here is a clear reminder of God’s faithfulness to His covenant people and our need to be in relationship with Him. 

Notice the “I WILLS”: “I will bring you out” (v. 6); “I will deliver you” (v. 6); “I will redeem you” (v. 6); “I will take you to be my people” (v. 7); “I will be your God” (v. 7); “I will bring you into the land” (v. 8); and “I will give it to you for a possession” (v. 8).

The cure for the broken spirit is to put faith in the unchanging God who redeems us from the penalty of eternal judgement (mercy), delivers us from the slavery of sin, brings us out from under our burdens, takes us as His own, and gives us what we don’t deserve (grace). When I experience THAT LORD, there is no way my spirit can remain broken. 

Boy, I’m about to SHOUT!

A – CLING TO HIS UNCHANGING GRACE. 

R – Lord God, thank you for redemption. Thank you for deliverance. Thank you for pulling me out of my mess, time and time again. Thank you for undeserved grace. Thank you for calling me your child. Thank you for your promises. God, I proclaim today that they are “yes and amen”. Help me today to not allow any situation, circumstance, or ordeal to make me put a stone over my heart. Lord, continue to break away any hardness and give me a heart after yours. 

In Jesus Name!

[Exodus 4-5]

H – Exodus 4:2, “The LORD said to him, “What is that in your hand?” He said, “A staff.””

E – Ministry!

Ministry is not easy. Living with missional focus is not easy. 

God’s rescue plan for Israel would come from a great missional endeavor. It would require Moses going back to Egypt, proving to Israel that God had heard their cries for help, and speaking and acting on behalf of God to Pharaoh and the Egyptians all that God would command Moses to speak and do. 

However, “the call” is not easy. It doesn’t come naturally. The call to greater purpose goes against our flesh nature, making our natural tendency to fight against the call. 

Moses certainly did. First, Moses doubted the call (3:11, 4:1). He just couldn’t see himself being used to do what God had shown and promised He would do. He didn’t believe that he would be believable to others. Second, Moses made excuses to why he was not the one to be called (4:10). He wasn’t smart enough or good enough. He thought of himself as dumb and slow. Third, Moses went through denial (4:13). Denial was greater than the doubt. He finally got to the point that he said, “I don’t want to do it.” 

I know how all of those emotions feel. I’ve been there. However, when we doubt God’s calling, make excuse against God’s calling, and deny God’s calling; we miss GOD. We miss God at work. We miss opportunities to see that nothing is too impossible for God. 

I’m thankful, that like Moses, God never gave up pursuing me with His calling. 

Now to the staff. The staff served as a sign that God would be with Moses and would bring about what He promised through him. God had told Moses everything that would happen, to the ’T’. The staff was a reminder that God would be with him. God had promised Moses over and over again, “I will be with you”. That promise sounds familiar. It was the same promise that God promised Abraham, Issac, Jacob (Israel), Joseph, and now Moses. It’s also the same promise that is promised today, for you and I. 

Is the calling to follow God with missional purpose for all believers? YES

Is the calling to ministry, missional living, easy? NO

Is living out the calling in each of our lives worth it? YES

A – Hold fast to “God is with me,” follow Him, watch Him work, don’t give up, don’t make excuses, and don’t be distracted (4:22). Obediently let God fulfill His purpose in and through my life. 

R – Lord God, thank you for rescuing me. Thank you for using me as a vessel to your rescue. Thank you for allowing me to be part of “the called”. Lord God, help me to be reminded of your promises, cling to your truth, and never let go. Use my life today for your glory. I pray we would see you at work in rescuing others. 

In Jesus Name!

[Exodus 2-3]

H – Exodus 2:25, “God saw the people of Israel—and God knew.”

E – The people of Israel were enslaved in bondage. At this moment it was not even due to their choosing (just like Joseph). They just found themselves there and they were tired of it. They cried for HELP during their time of struggle and bondage. HELP! And in their cry for HELP, God heard. The reality is God knew all along. He knew right where they were. He saw them in their struggle. 

A – God knows me. God sees me. When I cry out to God, He hears me. The burdens of life may make me fell like I am entrapped, but that’s not so. God loves me so much that He send Jesus to rescue me from sin, hell, and bondage (through His death, burial, and resurrection). He rescued me from darkness into a glorious light. I know I find myself in moments of burden, even now. But, I don’t need to think for one moment that I’m not valued and God does not know right where I am, nor what I need. Sometimes, I need to be reminded of who I am and my greatest need, Jesus. I just need to cry out. 

R – Lord God, thank you that you are The Great Rescuer. You rescued me from sin and hell. You have rescued me from bondage and slavery. You have rescued me from burdens and frustrations. You have rescued me from me. And, I know you will do it again. Lord, I bless you, praise you, magnify and glorify your great name. 

In Jesus Name!

Know today that you can Cry Out for HELP. He knows where you are.