Words of Encouragement

Did you know there is not a path that God will lead you to that he cannot keep you on.  This week meditate on the goodness of God and his care for his children.  Will you follow him completely?

Then Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain and said, "This is what you are to say to the house of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel: 'You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself. Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you [a] will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites." - Exodus 19:3-6

Promises of God

MONDAY
Moses went up on the mountain to speak with God. In the third month after the Israelites left Egypt, they came to the desert of Sinai. The people were released from the bondage of slavery and had come to the mountain of God.


God spoke to Moses and gave him instructions to give to the children of Israel. He first tells Moses to remind them of what he did for them in Egypt. God had shown the Israelites his power and might when he brought them from Egypt. When Pharaoh had refused to let them go, God sent the ten plagues to show he was more powerful than the Egyptian gods. God showed the Israelites as well as the Egyptians that there was no god above the true God.

Thought for today - Have you thought today about what God has already brought you through?  If you have, how did that make you feel? 

prayer - Lord, help me to be reminded of that which you have already done for me so that I can be encouraged with the things I must face today.


TUESDAY
God states he bore them on eagle’s wings, and brought them unto himself. He is telling them of how his deliverance of his people was swift and how he protected them. When the plagues hit Egypt, the Israelites were spared. God first tells Moses to remind them of who he is and then tell them of what is expected of them.

God promised the Israelites if they obeyed him, he would set them above all other nations. They would be a treasure unto God. This is not because they are special for what they do, but because of what God will do to and through them. He is promising to be with them and make them a people for himself above all other nations.

Thought for today - When is the last time you thought of yourself as a treasure unto God?  Not because of something special you have done, but because of who God is?

Prayer - Lord today, help me to be reminded that I am treasured by you.  When I remember this, I will be able to see that you care for me and that no matter what I face, I am not alone.

WEDNESDAY
The message continues with God’s requirement for them to be a holy nation. God was preparing the people for his laws that he would give to Moses, which takes place in the next chapter. God was also warning the people to be set apart from other nations that were around them. God did not want the people to intermingle with the other nations and begin to pick up customs and behaviors, and move away from true worship.

“This is that Moses, which said unto the children of Israel, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear. This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us: To whom our fathers would not obey, but thrust him from them, and in their hearts turned back again into Egypt, Saying unto Aaron, Make us gods, to go before us: for as for this Moses, which brought us out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him” (Acts 7:37-40).

God was offering much to the children of Israel, yet they continued to be disobedient. They complained and murmured about food and water. They complained about too much manna and no meat. The Israelites continued to be ungrateful to God’s mercies. God’s warning on the mountain was one given to protect his people from themselves. He knew the hearts of the people, so he gave a warning to them, to be holy, because he is holy.

Thought for today - Have you been ungrateful for the many things God has done for you?  Have you complained when you should have been thankful?  Have you murmured or whined when you didn't get what you want, instead of asking God why?

Prayer - Lord this day, help me to see your hand in my life and that both the good and the bad are used by you.  You use everything for my good, to shape me and mold me.  Help me to be grateful and not complain.


THURSDAY

This message that Moses was to give to the Israelites, is still a vital message for believers today. God has deliverance for people today. He has the deliverance from the bondage of sin that we are not able to release ourselves from. We needed God to send someone to release us from that bondage and that person was Jesus.

God gives us this warning also, to remember what he has delivered us from. God has made provisions for us, yet like the Israelites we can be ungrateful and become grumblers. God also warns us not to pick up the customs around us. God wants his people to be set apart, a peculiar people. He calls for holiness because he is holy. He does not want his people blending in other religions and making a mockery of our faith. The promise is, if we are obedient to God, he will care for his people.

Thought for Today - Have you picked up some bad habits lately?  Do you look different from those around you, are you set apart and peculiar?

Prayer - Lord you have saved me from many dangers, both seen and unseen.  You have called me to yourself to make me into a holy people because you are holy.  Help me today Lord to be faithful to you and your will for my life.


FRIDAY
God was a faithful God, to an unfaithful people. God showed love, to an ungrateful, unloving people. Yet, God continued to call his people back into a right relationship. God’s love is still evident today, even to the ungrateful and unloving. Why is God’s love still evident today? God’s love is still available today, because God is still seeking the lost to come to him and be his people.

Thought for Today - Have you acknowledged God's faithfulness today?  Have you thanked him for loving you regardless of your ability to follow or not?  As you go to worship this week, seek God's help in being his faithful servant.