February 2021 – Page 3 of 3 – Sonshine's Journal

February 5, 2021February 5, 2021

Are you ready to meet God?

Exodus 19 to 21 It has been three months to the day since the Israelite children have left Egypt behind. A new life means a new way of walking. In Egypt, they had earthly masters; now, they have a heavenly master which is a picture of the believer in Christ. Before our master was Satan, now we belong to Jesus by faith in Him alone. Before we can meet Jesus, we must be cleansed, consecrated, sanctified to be a holy people. God told Moses the people must do just that, and the first step was to wash and put on new clothes. Believers are washed in the blood of the Lamb and put on the new robe of righteousness.

A new life also means a new way of living, and thus God directs Moses to share the Ten Commandments by which they are to live. Our new life is to mirror those same Ten Commandments in how we are to live before God and before man. The Lord is our God, and we have been ransomed from the kingdom of darkness and moved to the Kingdom of Light: “not by works of righteousness that we have done but on the basis of his mercy, through the washing of the new birth and renewing of the Holy Spirit.” [Titus 3:5]

Today choose whom you will serve, the gods of the past or the living and holy God.

February 4, 2021February 4, 2021

Jehovah Jireh…

Exodus 16-18 God Provides

One of God’s names is Jehovah Jireh–the God who provides no matter whether big or little, whether food or wisdom. As the Israelites leader, Moses had a mighty task not only had to lead them but guide them as God gave direction. Maybe you, too, have an enormous task just like Moses. You are overwhelmed and do not which way to turn. It is then that Isaiah’s counsel is wise: You will hear a word spoken behind you, saying, “This is the correct way, walk in it,” whether you are heading to the right or the left,” Sometimes that word comes in the form of a prophecy “Do not treat prophecies with contempt.” [1 Thess 5:20] Perhaps it might come in the counsel of one who is wise as Jethro to Moses. It may not be in an earthquake or a mighty wind, but the still small voice just like Elijah heard. God is listening to His children; He hears your cry. God provides what we need when we come to Him humbly.

Today you may be among the many who are seeking help. Remember to come humbly before God, and He will hear your cry and answer from heaven through avenues we may least suspect. Keep your eyes on Him and your ear open to hear His voice. “The prayer of an oppressed man, as he grows faint and pours out his lament before the Lord. O Lord, hear my prayer! Pay attention to my cry for help!” [Ps 102:1]

February 3, 2021February 3, 2021

“Are you Standing Still or Murmuring?”

Exodus 13-15 These chapters remind us of the old western movies. First, we have the villains who wake up to their loss and ask themselves: “What in the world have we done?” Mounting their horses (ok chariots 🙂 ), they take off after them. Were ten plagues not enough? Guess again. So, God sends them another taste of His power and majesty. End of story; Israel is victorious, walking on dry ground, and the Egyptians are defeated as the river bed becomes quicksand.

While this is happening, what do we hear? Murmuring and grumbling to Moses as they see the approaching Egyptians. “Isn’t this what we told you in Egypt? Leave us alone?” Moses reminds them to “stand still and see the salvation of the Lord.” Victories are momentary to reveal where we put our trust.

Fast forward to just a short three days later and now we hear murmuring—again! Finding only a well of bitter water, they begin to grumble: “What can we drink?” They had seen ten plagues and defeated enemies and they grumble because they are thirsty! How like them we are. We fail to remember God’s power and presence in the past. Secondly, we fail to trust that if God could defeat our enemy, he can provide sweet water in our present circumstances.

Beloved, are you murmuring / grumbling OR standing still watching for God to work?

February 2, 2021February 2, 2021

“Christ is Our Passover”

Exodus 10 to 12 The plagues sent by God awaken the Egyptian court, and they plead with Pharaoh. “Release the people so they may serve the LORD their God.” The weak magicians had said to Pharaoh, “It is the finger of God” yet Pharaoh continued in his stubbornness. Pharaoh’s words will haunt him later: “Who is the LORD that I should obey him…” But now God will show Pharaoh that He is the LORD and that He alone is the God of the universe. Pharaoh had taken the male children, and now God will take his firstborn. Pharaoh’s gods cannot save him or his people because they are only idols. Pharaoh thinks he is God but this last plague will challenge his belief system.

In preparation, the Lord gives his children, the Israelites, the plan for the Passover. The shed blood of the unblemished lamb sprinkled upon the doorposts and top frame pictured the cross to come. It covered and separated the “believers” (Israelites) from the “nonbelievers” (Egyptians).

Christ as our Passover separates us and sanctifies us that we too may be holy to the Lord. The lamb was slain just as Christ was slain for us. When the Destroyer came, those covered were protected, and it is Christ’s shed blood that protects each believer. Like the Passover, the Lord’s Supper was established BEFORE the deliverance was accomplished, for without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sin. Chapter 12 closes with these words: “So all the Israelites did exactly as the LORD commanded…”

Have we done exactly as the LORD commands?

February 1, 2021February 1, 2021

Is Your Heart Soft or Hard?

Exodus 7 to 9 Pride goeth before a fall, and Pharaoh will learn how true that is. God sent the brothers Aaron and Moses to speak to Pharaoh: “Let My people go.” In return, Pharaoh responded, “Do a miracle,” and so they did. Unimpressed, Pharaoh has his magicians work their magic to turn rods into serpents, but surprise, surprise; the rod of Aaron ate up the magician’s serpents. Pharaoh’s response? He hardened his heart just as God said he would. It was not until the third miracle that even the magicians realized that God’s finger was in it, but Pharaoh hardened his heart. God provides the evidence, but man must make the decision.

We are living the pandemic life, and the world is searching for answers, and like Pharaoh, the hearts of the world remain hardened. As Paul noted in Romans 1:20; they see the invisible attributes of God in the sunsets and sunrises, the path of the sun and moon, and still, they say: “Who is the LORD that I should obey His voice? …I do not know the LORD.”[Ex 5:2] It is because of these prideful statements that we must carry the gospel message to them, EVEN IF they respond like Pharaoh. We must do this because “God is not willing any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” [2Pet 3:9] Moses and Aaron were God’s servants. Are we?