13 Aug 09 Journal Entry

Exodus 15:26
“If you will carefully obey the LORD your God, do what is right in His eyes, pay attention to His commands, and keep all His statues, I will not inflict any illness on you I inflicted on the Egyptians. For I am the LORD Who heals you.”

These were instructions to Israel, just after their deliverance across the Red Sea and their jubilant praise to God. He has their attention, belief, and fear, and this is what He told them.

But then three verses later, in chapter sixteen, they were grumbling and complaining.

“Complain” is one of Kayla’s spelling words. Definition – “to find fault in.”

Hmmm…..

How can we ever presume to find fault in our Holy, Powerful, King of Kings, Universe Creator, Perfect One?

What follows the fault-finding and doubting His goodness and perfect ways? DISOBEDIENCE

Disobedience is the very thing the LORD addressed in Exodus 15:26. Israel was tested, and they repeatedly failed in chapter sixteen (ugh, and all throughout the Bible).

It’d exasperate me if I weren’t the same way! I doubt His goodness and do my own thing. I don’t like the path He leads me down, so I willfully go my own way.

Right into bondage.

Ah, Lord, so instead the Israelites’ rebellion and Your constant forgiveness and pursuit of relationship with them gives me hope that You also won’t give up on me!!

Thank You, Father. Thank You, Jesus. I love you.

Deliverance

Journal Entry
6 August 2009

Day #6 of 40 Days of Prayer, and I’ve already managed to break my fast. It was all contemplated and justified, even prayed about, but, “I was deceived, and I ate.” I spent time repenting last night, and am today sincerely thankful for second chances. I believe He has indeed washed me clean, clothed me with white robes of righteousness, and given me a fresh start. He’s in the business of doing that, so He’s good at it. :-) Praise Him!

Jesus, this is what You did at Calvary: took the punishment for our rebellions, for MY rebellion. Had You not done that, I’d be eternally separated from you.

But at Calvary, You also beat the enemy, and I don’t have to be enslaved to sin!

Exodus 15:1,2
“I will sing to the LORD,
For He is highly exalted;
He has thrown the horse
And its rider into the sea.
The LORD is my strength
And my song;
He has become my salvation.
This is my God, and I will
Praise Him,
My Father’s God, and I will
exalt Him.
The LORD is a warrior;
Yahweh is His Name.”

Moses and the people sang this just after Pharaoh and the Egyptians died in the Red Sea. What a moment, to see destroyed those who held them in bondage for over 400 years!