Scripture Impressions

Signs and Wonders

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Exodus 5:22-7:25; Psalm 23; Proverbs 5:22-23

 

Our Father is a faithful leader guiding His people throughout history with anointed leadership, Scripture, the Holy Spirit and prayer. God used Moses and Aaron to speak on His behalf, to demonstrate His Power when the Israelites were in Egyptian captivity. Even when Israel lacked faith in God’s redemptive plan and Moses became discouraged, the Lord still moved forward in rescuing them. Moses’ staff becomes an object of God’s power and authority as it turns into a snake. His staff then swallows the Egyptian magicians’ staffs turned into snakes.

God’s goodness to never give up on His people, to guide and correct us when necessary carries over into the beautiful 23rd psalm. He is our Great Shepherd with His own staff and rod, not out of sadistic pleasure but out of His love for us. It is always for our good, as we learn to walk in the footsteps of Christ.

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By contrast, Pharaoh’s hardened heart depicts the wicked who refuse to obey God’s correction. Rejecting His truth, His light, darkens the mind and sears the conscience.  The Lord will eventually give them over to their sin (Romans 1:21-25; 28). Disobedience is not freedom but eternal slavery.

God’s staff of righteousness is the perimeter by which we live our lives. Boundaries are for safety yet we must trust in our Father’s wisdom, operating within His commands. The Israelites didn’t demonstrate faith in Egypt until they were shown God’s signs and wonders.

Jesus rebuked the religious leaders who demanded a sign from Him to prove His Sonship (Matthew 12:38-41). They hated Jesus’ ministry and condemned Him to the cross. Yet this was not the end. Just as the Lord prophesied, this generation witnessed the ‘sign of Jonah’ as Jesus overcame death and lives today. What other wonder do we need? Blessed are those who acknowledge the Lord’s goodness and authority without demanding a sign and walk in obedience (John 20:29).

 

Grace upon grace,

April

Unfolding Mercy

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Exodus 4:1-5:21; Psalm 22:19-31; Matthew 18:12-14

 

“Moses and Aaron brought together all the elders of the Israelites, and Aaron told them everything the Lord had said to Moses. He also performed the signs before the people, and they believed. And when they heard that the Lord was concerned about them and had seen their misery, they bowed down and worshipped.” (Exodus 4:29-31).

In our reading of Exodus today we see the Lord is placing His plan of redemption into motion for the Israelites. They have been held captive in Egyptian slavery for 400 years and at just the right time God accomplishes His purpose through them, “For He has not despised or disdained the suffering of the afflicted one; He has not hidden His face from him but has listened to his cry for help.” (Psalm 22:24).

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Psalm 22 was written by King David as his own cry for help, laced with adoration of God. This Messianic psalm looks forward to Christ our Redeemer imaging these words as well looking back to God’s great deliverance of Israel during the exodus. The Bible is layered with experiences from different men, separated by hundreds of years, yet when their stories align we see a bigger picture unfolding- God’s great mercy saving His people for His Glory and our good.

Human emotions are as old as time. We still have a felt need to be rescued from this world of captivity, to be satisfied with something meaningful and know we are loved even though we sin. The words in Scripture are comforting because they are just as relevant today as they were for Moses and David. Our God is the same yesterday, today and forever. He knows we are a needy people. When you and I recognize our need for a Savior our cries for salvation transform into songs of praise because of His mercy. Remembering that the Father delights to save and He “is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost” (Matthew 18:14)  are words of certainty we can hold onto in uncertain times.

 

Grace upon grace,

April

Holy Ground

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Exodus 2:11-3:22; 1 Peter 2:4-10

 

Does your life feel very commonplace? Ordinary? Most of us pass our days in a fairly mundane routine. I’m all for these kinds of days and often talk about it on here. But did you know that even if you live a plain life, like every other average person, you are also holy? Jesus has made this so.

When the Lord called Moses to Himself in the burning bush, God instructs him to take off his sandals for he is “standing on holy ground”. The Great I AM used Moses to rescue Israel out of Egypt, keeping His covenant with Abraham. The Lord went to great lengths showing His love and devotion to His people. God performed miraculous signs and wonders before Pharaoh and the Egyptians to free Israel from slavery.

God came to the rescue for His people again later in history to finally redeem His own once and for all. The Lord sent His Son to the cross for sinners like you and me. Jesus endured a gruesome death, and worse, took God’s wrath upon Himself so you and I never have to experience this. Jesus set you free.

What love is this?

Who has this kind of power, defying sin and death?

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Only God in Heaven, who came down incarnate, to deliver us from certain eternal hell. He has restored us into fellowship with the One who loves us best. We now have Christ with us always. Be encouraged that the God of this Universe loves you enough to pursue your soul like this. God has made for Himself a holy people- you and me. We serve a Holy God and what a privilege to know Him and be known by Him. Wherever you go, whatever you do in your day-to-day routine, it is holy because Christ is in you. Jesus humbly served while on earth, doing common daily activities yet He was perfectly holy.

We may still war against our flesh and Satan, but now there are two natures at work in you (Romans 7:14-8:4). We are His saints, part of a royal priesthood, ministers of reconciliation. This is deep joy for the Christian. Moses received an up close view of God’s awesome holiness. At that time the Lord was beginning the beautiful work of introducing His character to His people. Living after the cross we now are always in His Presence, with His Spirit, standing on holy ground.

Jesus exchanged our filthy rags for robes of righteousness. Following in the footsteps of our Savior, common work becomes an act of worship. It is both solemn and filled with laughter; bustling with activity and a quiet hush of reverence. Your life in one sense is very ordinary in this world, but quite glorious in the spiritual realm which will last for eternity.

 

Grace upon grace,

April

 

Providential Care

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Genesis 50:1- Exodus 2:10; Psalm 21; Matthew 16:13-17:9

God gives aid to His people throughout history and fights for them. In His Divine time and way the Lord orchestrates redemption for chosen Israel- time and time again. Another way we see Him at work is the outworking of our faith. Believers will bear fruit because of the transformation He has done in us. We no longer live for ourselves but for Christ. Faith brings obedience which requires action producing fruit. God blesses those who fear Him, warriors of truth and righteousness, despite worldly consequences.

God is faithful to preserve, protect and bless His children. It may be in ways we don’t foresee or understand, like Joseph’s life. God’s Glory will not and cannot be stifled by man’s plans. The Lord works through our circumstances even when there seems to be no hope. God is our Hope.

The best way the Lord has taken care of us is through His Son. When Jesus went to the cross He gave Himself, redeeming sinners from certain eternal damnation. Christ is the meaning of life, in which we can rightly view everything else in our world.

Make no mistake that God is actively at work today, just as He was with Israel in Egypt, just as He will be tomorrow. The Lord is near. We are merely called to walk by faith and obedience. Observe how the Father has taken care of you. He is our Faithful Shepherd.

Grace upon grace,

April

Guard Wisdom

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Proverbs 4:20-27; Matthew 16:1-12

 

Jesus warns His disciples from the false teachings of the Pharisees and Sadducees. They have no wisdom but are like the blind leading the blind. Likewise, in Proverbs the son is instructed to heed his father’s words. It will save his life because the father’s counsel is wise.

Acting in wisdom helps us make better choices, big and small. From choosing a spouse, where to worship, to how many pieces of chocolate one should have at once. Wisdom covers all of life.

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Pursuing wisdom, guarding the wisdom we’ve been given, and applying it, is what is meant to persevere as a saint. This is what living in truth looks like. How can we do this? Not in our own strength. True wisdom comes with humility and a teachable spirit. The Holy Spirit then teaches and guides us.

If God is wisdom, then believers must learn to trust Him in every aspect of life. He reveals His character and will to us through Scripture. Guard the truth you know by walking in it, setting your feet on the straight path not swerving to the right or left.

 

Grace upon grace,

April

Unclean

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Matthew 15:1-28; Ephesians 4:29-32

 

Jesus’ definition of “unclean” and the Pharisees idea of uncleanliness were different. As always, the Lord goes much deeper than outward reform- He aims for the heart. Jesus says our heart response in life, our thoughts, come out in the way we speak.

Even if we speak appropriately in public and have all the right answers, the Lord knows the inner man. He knows are thought life. Sooner or later what is suppressed will burst out in angry speech, low grumbling, or something else with devastating consequences. The longer we go unchecked in our attitude, we lose sensitivity to the Holy Spirit leading us. The heart calcifies under such conditions.

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Our hearts and speech are so intertwined that James writes special caution concerning the power of the tongue (James 3). It can be a means of great poison or great healing but it begins with the diagnosis of our hearts. Jesus unveils the hypocrisy of the Pharisees by mercifully teaching them, His disciples, and also us, the real meaning of “unclean”. We are all unclean, in need of the Savior to wash us through. God gives us time now to repent and come to Him. Are you washed with the blood of Christ or left unclean?

 

Grace upon grace,

April

Unchanging God

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Genesis 44-45; Psalm 18:37-50; Matthew 14:13-36

 

God works in many ways to display His Power. He faithfully fulfills the dreams given to Joseph as a teenager with his brothers and father now bowing before him. What Joseph’s brothers meant for evil the Lord uses for good. He not only avenges Joseph but preserves a remnant of Israel during the famine. The sons of Jacob are shown mercy and forgiveness.

Jesus demonstrates His Power through miracles as well as healing the sick and demon-possessed. He does this with a touch, just a word, and sometimes by using created things like making mud (John 9:1-12). There is no formula for how the Lord operates. What is consistent is His character: compassionate, merciful, faithful, and good. In this way God does not change.

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In C.S. Lewis’ The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Lucy asks Mr. Beaver about Aslan to which he replies,

“He’ll be coming and going. One day you’ll see him and another you won’t. He doesn’t like being tied down – and of course he has other countries to attend to. It’s quite all right. He’ll often drop in. Only you mustn’t press him. He’s wild you know. Not like a tame lion.“

Lewis translates the character of Aslan as a Christ figure in his children’s story. We may not be able to predict God’s ways but it doesn’t mean who He is ever changes (Hebrews 13:8).

The prophet Isaiah also writes the Lord’s ways are higher than our ways, His thoughts are not our thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9). The Lord IS infinite wisdom. We simply must trust in His Sovereign plan for our lives and what happens in the world. Even when tragedies seem senseless, and nothing makes sense to our logic, we can rest in the character of God because of what we know to be true- that will never change.

 

Grace upon grace,

April

God’s Justice

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Genesis 42:18-43:14; Psalm 18:16-36; Matthew 14:1-12

 

Joseph concealed his identity from his brothers, testing them in their integrity. God providentially used Joseph to carry out the consequences of his brothers’ former actions when they sold him as a slave. Joseph had done nothing wrong but continued to rely on the Lord for wisdom and favor. God avenges Joseph as he hides his identity until the right time.

John the Baptist was also a righteous servant yet his life is taken as he is beheaded. God’s justice for John’s blood did not happen in this life. The Lord will avenge him and all evil done against His children, but it will be in His way and in His time.

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Psalm 18 promises the Lord will faithfully avenge, but man must learn to trust Him fully and not seek revenge themselves. God used Joseph as a means to bring about immediate justice. Interestingly, Joseph also demonstrates profound forgiveness for what his brothers did to him. As a Christ figure, he beautifully illustrates what we deserve in our sin (judgment) but what Jesus also offers all who trust in His salvific work (forgiveness and redemption).

Sometimes we won’t see God’s perfect justice executed here on earth. His promise of restoring all that has been lost and wickedness that seems to go unpunished will come to fruition on Judgement Day. So we trust in His infinite wisdom and deep love for us knowing our Father will do what is best. The Lord is on your side and will fight for you. In Christ, we’ve already won.

 

Grace upon grace,

April

Deliverance

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Genesis 41:17-42:17; Psalm 18:1-15; Matthew 13:24-46

 

After Joseph interprets Pharaoh’s dream he is placed in charge over the whole land of Egypt. Joseph oversees the provision for the country anticipating the seven years of famine. He is second in command. God delivers Israel (Jacob’s family) and Egypt through the wisdom of Joseph.

Joseph parallels a type of Christ operating under the power of only one with authority over him- Pharaoh. Jesus is equal to the Father yet obediently submits under His authority. Jesus delivers His people, the Church, on the grand stage of redemption. On a smaller scale yet still providential, Joseph saves his people from famine. Israel is preserved, even Gentile Egyptians, from certain death if Joseph were not placed in charge to provide food for those in need. The people were starving and went to Joseph to be fed.

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Humanity starves for spiritual food only Christ can give. God made a way for us to come to Him by sending His Son to the cross. Our Father most assuredly does not lose any He has chosen to save. He has fought for you and will keep you as the apple of His eye. We need only look to Jesus for our deliverance.

 

Grace upon grace,

April

Joseph’s heart

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Genesis 39:1-41:16; Psalm 17; Proverbs 3:33-35; Matthew 12:46-13:23

 

When Potiphar’s wife repeatedly seeks Joseph out to sleep with him, the Bible records how he avoided her, then finally runs away from her presence. He explains why he won’t commit adultery, out of respect for Potiphar, his master who honored him by placing Joseph in charge over his entire estate. Joseph also adds that he will not sin against God this way.

Instead of being rewarded for his integrity, Joseph is falsely accused and put in prison. Even this injustice does not cause him to turn away from God (Remember how his brothers faked his murder and sold him as a slave?). The Scriptures show how the Lord God was with him still. He never left Joseph alone in his trials.

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Joseph chooses reliance on God through all the ways he is mistreated by others. Psalm 17 written by King David hundreds of years later, could have been echoed by Joseph too in his situation. Wherever he served, the Lord blessed Joseph by setting him apart so that his authorities took notice.

Joseph demonstrates wisdom in interpreting dreams from the cupbearer, baker, and Pharaoh. He plainly tells these men that God is the interpreter of dreams, not him. Joseph is humble. He sees himself as a vessel to be used by God however the Lord sees fit. This is a heart God honors. This is what grace overflowing looks like. Joseph’s life is an example of growing deeper into the good soil as a faithful servant.

One who trusts God even when the circumstances are bleak.

One who relies on God’s perfect justice, in His infinite wisdom, according to His Divine Plan.

This is a heart that reflects Christ.

 

Grace upon grace,

April