Tag: Exodus

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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.

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

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

Anyone can do that

Posted on by William Douthwaite

A “through the bible” devotion from Exodus 7.

We can do so much.

Doctors, surgeons, hospitals and medicine can cure diseases. Infertile couples conceive in vitro. We grow meat in labs, view atoms in microscopes, travel in space, light up dark rooms, and fly through the skies. I can have anything I want delivered to my home by tomorrow.

So what do we need God for?

Pharaoh’s sorcerers and soothsayer priests can do all the tricks Moses can. They can turn a staff into a serpent, make a hand leprous, and turn water into blood (Exodus 7:11,22). So Pharaoh isn’t concerned about Moses’s God at all (Exodus 7:23).

I think it’s interesting that so many pursue power, knowledge, influence, and adoration. In other words, we try to be gods. We try to be what we think a god ought to be.

The truth is, other than doing a few tricks, we don’t know much about being gods. What’s God like? The only way to find out is to get to know Jesus. In Jesus, God became like us so that we wouldn’t settle for cheap imitations, but the real thing.

What kind of a god is Jesus? Merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love. Instead of a few science fair projects, try being like that.

That’s right, no one comes close.

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

Did you hear that?

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on pexels.com

A “through the bible” devotion from Exodus 6.

A long time ago, I discovered that most people aren’t listening. Young or old, I learned that it’s best to say their name and get their attention before you ask or tell them something.

If I say, “What do you want for supper, John?” I’ll probably get the response, “Huh?”

But if I ask, “John, what do you want for supper?” I’ll hear, “Pizza!” (Or whatever they’re hungry for.)

So why aren’t you listening?

There are plenty of reasons you’re not listening. You’re on your phones, scrolling through whatever. You’re working on something else that demands your attention. You’re distracted by another voice or some noise.

Moses had some good news. He passed along God’s promises to bring the people out of slavery in Egypt and bring them back to the land he promised to Abraham. But “they did not listen to Moses, because of their broken spirit and harsh slavery” (Exodus 6:9).

I think they heard what Moses said. It just didn’t sink in. The people were despondent. They were exhausted. They had no hope. So Moses’ words were just noise.

Don’t let God’s promises be little more than noise in your life. When you come across one, insert your name at the beginning, and listen.

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

Excuses, excuses, excuses

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by MART PRODUCTION on pexels.com

A “through the bible” devotion from Exodus 3 and 4.

Everyone needs a collection of excuses.

  • I didn’t know.
  • No one told me.
  • I forgot.
  • It wasn’t me.
  • It wasn’t my fault.
  • I didn’t get the message.
  • My phone was dead.
  • I thought it was at a different time.
  • Someone took it.
  • My dog ate it.
  • My mom didn’t wake me up.
  • Everyone else was doing it.

It’s fun to make a list of excuses you can use when you’ve messed up, forgot to do something, or don’t want to do something. Take a moment and add another twelve or so to my list. You’ll be more than equipped to handle anyone’s demands and expectations.

You’ve got to hand it to Moses. He’s got the guts to offer up excuses to the Almighty God.

“Who am I?” I’m don’t have the resume or experience to bring Israel out of Egypt.

“Don’t worry about it. I’ll be there with you.”

“What if they ask me your name? I don’t even know your name.”

“I am who I am.” Just call me, “I am.” (Yahweh)

“What if no one will believe me or listen to me?”

Just wait till your staff turns into a snake. Or you hand becomes leprous. They’ll believe you.

“I’m not eloquent.”

I know. I made you, complete with mouth, ears, and eyes. I know what you can do.

It’s kind of like a reverse interview. Moses is trying to convince God to not hire him. Too bad, Moses. I mean, “Congratulations! You’ve got the job!”

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

What if the answer to your prayer is…you?

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦 on Unsplash

A “through the bible” devotion from Exodus 3.

In the song “Do Something” Matthew West sings

I woke up this morning
Saw a world full of trouble now
Thought, how’d we ever get so far down
How’s it ever gonna turn around
So I turned my eyes to Heaven
I thought, “God, why don’t You do something?”
Well, I just couldn’t bear the thought of
People living in poverty
Children sold into slavery
The thought disgusted me
So, I shook my fist at Heaven
Said, “God, why don’t You do something?”
He said, “I did, I created you.”

After Moses removes his shoes in the presence of God who is speaking from the burning bush, the Lord says, “I have surely seen the affliction of my people…and I have come down to deliver them…Come, I will send you” (Exodus 3:7-10). It’s all good news until that last part. In response to the cries of his people, God is sending Moses.

When Moses asks, “Who, me?” God replies, “Don’t worry, I’ll be there, too” (Exodus 3:11,12).

It’s an easy trap to fall into. I’ll send my prayer requests to God and then sit back as he takes care of me, my situation, and my friends’ needs. I’ll ask, seek, and knock because I know he can do it, I know he cares, and I trust him. I’ll call on him in the day of trouble, he’ll deliver me, and I’ll glorify him.

Well, it turns out that I’m not in the bleachers but on the field. I’m the hands and feet of Jesus. He alleviates hunger, loneliness, conflict, despair and grief through the church. That means me and people just like me.

So when you feel that nudge to call, visit, give, apologize, invite, or write to someone, don’t think, “Who, me?” Just do it. Let God do his thing through you and with you.

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

Thanks for taking off your shoes

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Jordan Whitt on Unsplash

A “through the bible” devotion from Exodus 3.

One of my granddaughters recently challenged me, “Where are your socks?”

You see, she leaves her socks on when she takes off her shoes. She even sleeps in socks. I usually walk barefoot around the house.

There are some things best done in bare feet:

  • Walking on the beach
  • Yoga
  • Measuring your height
  • Swimming
  • Talking to God

When God spoke to Moses out of a burning bush he said, “Take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground” (Exodus 3:5). I don’t think they had socks back then, so I assume this left Moses in his bare feet.

Like me, you’re probably wondering why this is a thing. In Egypt, where Moses grew up, priests took off their sandals when they went into their temples. In eastern countries, worshipers take off their shoes before entering synagogues or mosques. It’s a symbolic way of acknowledging uncleanness or unworthiness in the presence of a deity.

Don’t you hit your shoe against the side of the car before you get in so you don’t get too much dirt or sand on the floor? Or imagine a parent saying, “Take off your shoes. I just mopped. Don’t track more dirt in here.”

Liturgical Christian worship usually begins with confession and absolution. Guess what? That’s just like taking off your sandals or knocking off some dirt before you step into a place of worship.

Lol. I want to go to a church someday where there’s a whole bunch of shoes lined up outside the doors.