The Daily Word: Saturday, August 14th, 2021
Nehemiah 7:73-9:21
1 Corinthians 9:1-18
Psalm 33:12-22
Proverbs 21:11-12
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Commentary from Pastor Michael White:
“Even when they made a molded calf for themselves, and said, ‘This is your god that brought you up out of Egypt,’ and worked great provocations, yet in Your manifold mercies You did not forsake them in the wilderness. The pillar of the cloud did not depart from them by day, to lead them on the road; nor the pillar of fire by night, to show them light, and the way they should go.” – Neh. 9:18-19
God’s people messed up! Right after God delivered them from slavery in Egypt, His people took it upon themselves to create a “molded calf” (v 18). They gathered all the jewelry they had brought out of Egypt (which was really a gift from God!) and melted it into an idol. Then they worshiped the melted pile of metal.[1]
This was wrong! It was heinous. It was a strict and obvious violation of God’s command.[2] But notice God’s response: He did not forsake them in the wilderness. He didn’t give up on them and leave them to die! He never stopped leading them. He never stopped lighting the way! He never failed to show them the “way they should go” (v 19).
And so it is with you. There is nothing you can do – no sin so severe! – that God will turn off His voice from you. Even when you fall, He will continue to lead and guide you. He will continue to speak to you and tell you things to come! He talks to you: not because you are perfect, but because you are His. No matter who you are, where you’re from, where you’ve been or what you’ve done: you can always hear His voice.
Prayer:
Father, thank You that You never remove Your voice from me! You always speak to me. You lead and guide me! Your voice in my life is not dependent on my behavior! It is a consequence of Your love, in Jesus’ name!
© Michael D. White, 2021. All rights reserved.
[1] See Exodus 32
[2] “You shall have no other gods before Me.” – Ex. 20:3