It Just Happened - Day 57 Month 2-26 Week 9 Day 1

Today's Reading (Bible in 1 year)


Exodus 32 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus%2032&version=NASB1995

Psalm 47 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2047&version=NASB1995

Isaiah 43:1-13 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah%2043%3A1-13&version=NASB1995

Mark 6:14-32 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%206%3A14-32&version=NASB1995


It Just Happened


Moses had been on the mountain with God for 40 days and nights when he returned and found the Israelites worshiping a molten calf. The people had experienced God first hand before Moses went up the mountain and knew God was there.  It seemed like a very short time for the people to lose sight of God.  I also questioned what Aaron had been thinking by actually fashioning it into a molten calf.  Clearly he was scared when he told Moses that they gave him the gold “and I threw it in the fire, and out came this calf.”  


It all sounds quite magical!  I think he really was saying, “I didn’t do it, it just happened.”


Moses entreated God to not let His anger burn against the people.  That was good news for the people.  I think Moses being angry at the people was a lot better than God destroying them.


Reading what happened makes it easy to judge the people of Israel but then as I look at my own life and my own failings, I realize that I have often turned my back on God in a lot less time than 40 days. 


When I was in grade three, I played hooky from school one afternoon.  I totally chose to blame my friend.  He didn’t tell me he had a note from his mom that said he had been sick.  The note was a “get out of jail free” card because it did not state when he was sick or how long he had been sick for.  As an eight year old, I wasn’t looking beyond that afternoon or the repercussions of playing that afternoon instead of going to school.  After a couple of days of my teacher asking me if I had a note explaining why I was away, and me saying “I forgot it,” the evil deed was discovered.  I was sent to the principal's office!  The principal said to me,  Stevey, where were you?  I totally crumbled (I’d be a terrible criminal).  I told him that it was Robbie’s fault, and that Robbie had a note, and that I had nothing to do with it, but he made me do it.  Really, I was saying “I didn’t do it, it just happened.”   If you're wondering, we had built a fort and we were playing there. 


While I was covering up the fact that I had played hooky, the guilt of doing this great misdeed and the worry of what my father would do, had me very fearful (terrified!).  I expected I would get a “raw behind,” but the actual penalty was worse.  My dad made me dig dandelions out of my back yard for the same amount of time that I was away from school.   Now that was torture!!!  Needless to say, I never skipped school again…..well not until high school at least.  Even as an 8 year old, I was a real sinner!


Our Psalm reading today says “For the LORD Most High is to be feared.”  Just like my father gave me a penalty out of love, God loves us and has given us an out from the penalty of death.  For that I am grateful.


Have a great day!

Steve


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