Exodus 33-36

God does not hide His anger and disappointment towards the Israelites in Exodus 33-36, but He is faithful to His promise to the them in spite of their sin.  Thanks to Moses pleas, and His favor with God, God has mercy on His people and decides to continue going with the Israelites on their journey to the Promised Land.  God renews His covenant with His people, despite their sins.  Moses spends 40 days fasting with God on Mount Sinai, and when He comes down, he has the second version of the Ten Commandments and all the direction he needs to get started in building the tabernacle.  

The Israelites really mess-up with God over the golden calf in yesterday's reading.  Yet, God remembers His promise and doesn't go back on His Word.  As a result, we get to see how true God's love really is for us.

Moses responds to this terrible mess of a situation by going immediately to God.  He doesn't defend himself, proclaim his own innocence, or even deny association with the Israelites.  Instead, Moses shows us how we all need to approach God in humility.

13 If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. 

Exodus 33:13

Moses' humble devotion pulls on God's heartstrings, so to speak.  Look at how God responds so that we get to know more about God's nature from God himself.

6 And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness

Exodus 34:6

God really loves us, even beyond our own ability or understanding.  See, He is with us even after we mess-up.  And I can't help but notice that for the faithful, mess-ups are a learning experience with an awesome, merciful Teacher.  They are also a chance to see even more of God's glory at work in us.

A prayer for today-

Dear God,

Thank You for being slow to anger and abounding in compassion, graciousness, love, and faithfulness for me.  Forgive me for all the times and ways in which I disappoint You.  Like Moses, I pray You will teach me Your ways so I may know You and continue to find favor with You.  

I ask that You shine Your compassion, love, and faithfulness on ____________ today.  May they be uplifted by this prayer.

In Jesus' name I pray,

Amen

Love of Christ,

*This post is part of A Mind-Maker-Upper's Everyday Reading Project.  Click here to read more.