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Are you ready to learn?

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Kenny Eliason on Unsplash

A “through the bible” devotion from Exodus 20.

Even though my memory gets fuzzier each passing year, I remember some of those September back-to-school days. (I grew up as a public school student). It was great to see my friends. I had teachers to get used to. I had to find all the different classrooms. There was a new locker combination to memorize.

And of course, there were rules. Get to class before the bell rang. This is where you sit. Homework must be turned in on time. Get a physical at the doctor before you try out for a sport. No smoking in the bathroom.

God’s people have experienced his power, provision, and protection, summed up pretty well here: “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt” (Exodus 20:2).

And then there are rules (Exodus 20:3-17). There are rules about how to live together. Other rules are about taking care of each other. God provides structure for their lives as they journey from a place of hopeless bondage to a new home of freedom and abundance.

Even though the rules aren’t numbered, they will be called the Ten Commandments (Exodus 34:28; Deuteronomy 4:13). Different traditions have numbered them differently, but it probably doesn’t make that much difference.

But I guess it’s like the first day of school. Are you ready to learn? Are you ready to learn about mercy, grace, and forgiveness? Are you ready to learn what it means to trust God? Are you ready to not only hear his word but keep it and be blessed?

We’ll see. We’ve got a long way to go.

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How close is close enough?

Posted on by William Douthwaite
So what do you think? Do you want to get close to this big girl, or not?

A “through the bible” devotion from Exodus 19.

When I’ve got the Great Dane on the leash, a lot of people take a step back from her hundred pounds of puppy energy, her tail whipping back and forth, and scorching-hot panting. Except for the kids. Kids line up to pet the dog, get a sloppy kiss, and gaze into those huge brown eyes.

At the base of a mountain, Moses and the people encounter what anyone else would call a volcano.

“Now Mount Sinai was all in smoke because the Lord descended upon it in fire; and its smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace, and the entire mountain quaked violently. When the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him with thunder” (Exodus 19:18,19).

The one true God isn’t a statue. He’s no inanimate object made out of stone or wood. The ground is moving. There’s fire, smoke, and unbearable heat. The sound is deafening. Everyone takes a step back. You dare not get too close!

Unless you’re one of the kids. It’s the same God, just in human form. Later on, he takes the children in his arms and blesses them (Mark 10:16).

So what do you think? Do you want to get close to this God? Or not? And I suppose the answer is, “Yes.” I never want to forget the God of Mount Sinai. Nor do I want to forget the compassion of Christ.

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

Do you need some help?

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Image by freestocks-photos from Pixabay

A “through the bible devotion” from Exodus 17 and 18.

It was so easy to do too much. I remember too many “perfect storm” Sunday mornings when not only was I preaching, but also opening up the church, playing guitar to lead contemporary worship, teaching a Sunday School class, and taking out a bag of garbage someone forgot to put in the dumpster. It too me a while to learn that if I spread myself too thin, I really wasn’t doing anything well.

I’ve learned to always answer, “Yes,” when asked, “Do you need help?” I don’t need to be independent and self-sufficient. I used to hate group projects. Now I’d much rather be part of a team.

Moses had to learn this lesson, too. He needed help holding up his hands so Israel could defeat the Amalekites (Exodus 17:8-13). He needed help settling endless disputes among the people (Exodus 18). He couldn’t – and didn’t have to – handle all the responsibility of leading a nation.

I guess it’s pride that makes us think we have to do it all and do it alone. A more honest word might be conceit. And if we’re honest, it’s idolatry.

Thank God for all those who are there to help!

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

Today’s lesson: food!

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Dushawn Jovic on Unsplash

A “through the bible” devotion from Exodus 16.

There’s truth to the saying, “You’re not yourself when you’re hungry.”

A cute baby turns into a monster when he or she decides they want to eat. children get restless as snack time approaches. Your dog or cat sits and stares until you relent and fill their food bowl. Wedding guests get snarly as table after table is called to the buffet line ahead of them. “Just wait till I get my hands on whoever ate my lunch from the break room refrigerator!”

Hungry people are irritable, rude, impatient, and nasty.

“The whole congregation of the sons of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness. The sons of Israel said to them, ‘If only we had died by the Lord’s hand in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the pots of meat, when we ate bread until we were full; for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this entire assembly with hunger!’” (Exodus 16:2-3)

Suddenly you wish you were back in Egypt making bricks? Your taskmasters fed you that well? You miss Pharaoh’s home cooking?

Probably not. But now you’re ready a theology lesson. “The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “I have heard the grumblings of the sons of Israel; speak to them, saying, ‘At twilight you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall be filled with bread; and you shall know that I am the Lord your God.’” (Exodus 16:11,12). One of the best ways to get to know God is to be hungry and then eat. Then you’ll know that he is the Lord your God.

If that’s the case, then I’m learning about God all the time. I get hungry a lot. I often forage in the kitchen for a meal or a snack. That’s my kind of education. It sure beats sitting in a seminary classroom!

Over time I’ve become a lot less demanding and much more grateful for my daily bread. Some of that comes from having to buy and prepare the food myself. But it’s also because I’ve grown in grace and knowledge of the Lord.

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

Tap water

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Swanky Fella on Unsplash

A “through the bible” devotion from Exodus 15.

“I fill my cup with tap water.”

To me, that seemed like a benign comment. However, I’ll bet I offended those in the car with me. Everyone had brought along their favorite bottled water. One passenger suggested we stop to buy a six-pack of water with added electrolytes. There was a moment of silence when I threw out, “I filled up my cup with tap water.”

It’s not quiet when the grandchildren get thirsty. They demand, “Where’s my drink?” And if we do not provide water at the right temperature in the right container, they turn up the volume, “Where’s my drink?”

I never did that. It’s a generational thing. If I had said that to my parents, in our non-air-conditioned, AM radio, crank down the windows by hand, bump-in-the-middle-seat station wagon, my parents would have threatened corporal punishment.

I chuckle when I read about the nation of Israel’s thirst in the wilderness. It’s been three days since God parted the Red Sea for them so they could escape the Egyptian armies. But it’s been three days since they’ve found any drinkable water. “What are we going to drink, Moses?” (Exodus 15:24)

I’m thinking, “Oh, boy. You’re going to get it now.” But God provides drinkable water. He’s a lot more patient and slow to anger than I am.

I take my water for granted. Too many people in this world do not have drinkable water. When I Googled this, I learned that twenty-five percent of people on planet Earth do not have access to clean water. I don’t even think about it, so I rarely thank God for the gift of water.

But I should be grateful every morning when I get up and drink a glass of water, start up the coffee maker, wash my face, and flush the toilet. It’s all a gift of God.

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

We’re number one!

Posted on by William Douthwaite

A “through the bible” devotion from Exodus 15.

I got my first taste of marching band in seventh grade. Most of us had two years of instrument lessons and elementary band experience when we took the field for the fall football season. The first thing we learned was how to march “eight to five” (eight steps for every five yards). Second, we learned the school fight song, which I later learned was the Notre Dame fight song. Pretty much every junior high marching band adopted that fight song for their own. Those who didn’t used “On Wisconsin.”

The first song in the bible is a fight song (Exodus 15:1-18), sung by Moses and the people of Israel after God routs the Egyptians in the Red Sea (Exodus 14). As I read it, I hear shouts of victory and proclamations of “We’re number one!”

While fans exhibit religious devotion for a favorite sports team, few worshipers want church to sound like a football game. Having said that, churches do sing about our powerful God and victory over the opposition. The crowds celebrated Saul’s and David’s military victories with songs (1 Samuel 18:7). I always imagine that scene to be like a stadium full of soccer fans, chanting and waving huge flags. Later, David sings about offering up sacrifices with shouts of joy (Psalm 27). Even God, a victorious warrior, rejoices over his people with shouts of joy (Zephaniah 3:17).

We’ve toned it down for most of our worship services. But no one can turn down the volume when every creature in heaven and on earth praises the Lord (Revelation 5:11-14)!

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

What about today?

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by marieke koenders on Unsplash

A “through the bible” devotion from Exodus 14.

Mindful. Present. Situational awareness. In the moment.

No matter how you express it, it’s a challenge to live in the right now. Maybe you’re reflecting on the past with satisfaction or regret. Or your view of the future is filled with anticipation or dread.

But what about now? What’s going on right now? What does your today look like?

The nation of Israel had seen so much. The plagues decimated Egypt. God’s power was clearly displayed for all to see. And yet, when they get to the bank of the Red Sea, with the Egyptian armies in pursuit, they lament, “We’re all going to die!”

Moses reigns in their fears and announces, “Stand by and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will perform for you today” (14:13).

I know that Jesus saved me in the past. I’ve got the cross. I know he’ll save me in the future. There will be a resurrection for me on the last day when he returns. He proved and promised that the grave cannot hold God’s people.

But what about today? Doesn’t the bible say, “Now is a day of salvation”? How does God save me today?

  • I’m probably not aware of all the ways he protects me with his angels. They are with me so that the evil foe has no power over me. Who knows how many close calls they’ve nudged me from?
  • God saves me from a life of futility. In other words, my life has meaning, purpose, and significance. I’m not just taking up space. I’m here for a reason. I make a difference. I’m his workmanship, created to do good things.
  • And I am forgiven. He doesn’t count my sins against me. That applies to today or any day.

I’ve decided that my dogs are the best teachers in this area. They never dwell on the past. It’s irrelevant to them. They never worry about the future. I’ll fill their bowls with food tomorrow. They live in this moment, filled with chew toys, food under the table, tummy scratches, walks in the rain, and snoozes in the recliner. They live in today.

And so should I.

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

It’s on your calendar

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Estée Janssens on Unsplash

A “through the bible” devotion from Exodus 13.

I have my AC company come out and tune up my system twice a year. I called them up to schedule the service and wrote it on my calendar. As soon as I ended the call, I got a text message confirming the appointment. I also got an email.

The day before they were scheduled to arrive, I got another text message, an email, and a voicemail, reminding me of the service call.

The morning of the schedule service, I got a text and a voicemail reminding me they were coming. I then got a text when the tech was on his way and then another when he was in my neighborhood.

The final text message informed me that he had arrived at my house.

Clearly, someone wants me to remember this very important appointment!

I get similar attention from my dentist, doctors, and the veterinarian. It must be a sign of the times. Patients and clients don’t remember, don’t put it on their calendar, and don’t show up for an appointment.

This is not a new phenomenon. A long time ago, so that the people wouldn’t forget what God did for them, he instructed them to put it on their calendar. “Remember this day in which you departed from Egypt…you shall keep this ordinance at its appointed time from year to year” (Exodus 13:3,10).

Now maybe you’re thinking, “How could God’s people ever forget how he got them out of Egypt with displays of his power?” And yet, you’re doubts, fears, guilt, and shame make you forget the salvation won for you by Christ on the cross.

So God puts it on your calendar. A birthday to remind you of your creator. A Sunday to remind you of your Savior (He is not here; he is risen!) A doctor’s appointment to remind you of God’s healing power. Lunch with a friend to remind us we weren’t created to be alone. A funeral to remind you there’s so much life yet to come.

Any and all of these can get lost in the busyness and distractions of life. So God sneaks all these days into your calendar!

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

Yes, he will do it!

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by NASA on Unsplash

A “through the bible” devotion from Exodus 12.

It’s only been in my lifetime that satellite images, doppler radar, and computer models have equipped meteorologists to warn us of approaching hurricanes a week before they arrive. I am certain that a century ago, those who dared live in a pre-air conditioned Florida looked felt the wind, saw the surf kick up, and concluded, “Yep, looks like a big storm’s coming.” Today, living in Florida, the hint of a tropical wave drifting off the coast of the African continent generates a week’s worth of excitement for those who love to predict the path of a coming storm.

I am thankful for the extra time to prepare for severe weather. I have spend the night listening to the wind and rain of a category four hurricane, wondering which tree will come through my roof and when our power will be restored.

I’ve prepared for storms that never materialized, too. I’ve cancelled appointments, stocked up on supplies, brought every loose item in from the back yard, and bought extra gas for the generator. But the rain never came. It was a breezy day, but I still saw blue in the sky. I hate to admit it, but if it happens enough, one tends to pay minimal attention to those dire predictions.

As God prepares his people to leave Egypt, he instructs them to paint the door posts and lintels of their homes with the blood of a lamb they will roast and eat that night. Moses passes along these instructions:

“Now you shall eat it in this way: with your garment belted around your waist, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and you shall eat it in a hurry—it is the Lord’s Passover” (Exodus 12:11).

In other words, follow these instructions with confidence and certainty. God is going to do this. You are going to leave Egypt tomorrow!

So what if we lived as if God were going to do exactly what he says? Like the person who prayed for rain and left the house carrying an umbrella. Or the people in a wilderness who only gathered up what they needed for one day, confident of God’s daily provision (Exodus 16:4). Some household budgets include a tithe, because God promises to give even more (Malachi 3:10).

If you know God at all, you know he’s faithful. Become familiar with his promises. And then live with the confidence that he will do it!