February 12

Exodus 34:1-35:9, Matthew 27:15-31, Psalm 33:12-22, Proverbs 9:1-6 

Pray: Do you have kids? Did you have kids? Do you want kids? Have you ever hung around kids? No matter where you are on the spectrum of children, you will understand that sometimes they rebel, some in an open approach and some in a more passive way. Nevertheless, the rebellion of children can lead to frustration. God gets that way with us sometimes as His children. We rebel against Him and He probably gets pretty irritated. Sometimes, I bet He just shakes His head… But He loves us anyway. Pray a prayer of thanksgiving today, thanking God for His loving kindness and His forgiveness in the face of our rebellion. 

Read: Moses finds himself face to face with God again, this time getting a redo on the covenant that God had written on the stone tablets. Moses got upset with the rebellion of the Israelites while he was on Mount Sinai with God just a couple of chapters ago when he came off the mountain to find them worshiping idols. We also read of Jesus standing trial before Pilate and how the crowds have turned on Him and are now seeking for Him to be crucified. What a difference a week makes!

Edify: In both the Old and New Testament readings it is easy to see the rebellion of God’s creation. One group, the Israelites, were God’s chosen people. They had just been eye witnesses to the majesty of God from their rescue from slavery in Egypt, the parting of the Red Sea, manna from Heaven, a pillar of cloud by day and fire by night, and the list goes on… yet they still rebelled in their worship, desiring graven images over the one true God. On the other hand are those in Pilate’s court, many of whom, quite possibly, just a few days before had heralded the entry of Jesus into town by laying their coats and palm branches on the road, were now calling for His crucifixion. We are rebellious by nature, but we are also the sons and daughters of a God who forgives us if we ask for it. Isn’t it wonderful to know that God loves us unconditionally, even in the midst of our rebellion and betrayal!

Practice: Today starts a brand new chance… another chance to go out and change the world for Christ. Today, begin by committing to spending another day dedicated to your One Year Bible reading. Commit to prayer, praying for your family, praying for our community, praying for those far from God. Commit to giving God your very best every day.