WHY AM I SURPISED?
This morning I woke up and I knew what I would be reading today, and truthfully didn't expect much from the reading. It is sort of like the passages you read where it’s a list of the geneologies where so and so begat so and so. And I honestly shouldn’t be shocked when the Lord completely blows me away and shows me things that I didn't expect to be shown, because He always is willing to show us things in His Word. We can learn from the geneologies, and yes, we can even learn from the reading today where we get a description of the dress code for the priest and all of the different offerings that were to be made.
God showed me 2 things this morning while reading Exodus 28-29.
First, is that God deserves our best. Even going back to yesterday’s reading, which was the construction of the tabernacle and the altar, we see God was very specific in how He wanted things made. Gold and Silver. Bronze. Nice pieces of wood and fine linen. The people had no problem with this. In their heart, they knew God was worthy of all of this and deserved it. Let me ask you this morning, have you given God your best? He deserves it, friend! He gave His very best for you. No sacrifice is too great for a God who gave it all for us! So, we shouldn't have an issue with spending time with Him daily. We shouldn't have an issue going to church and worshipping Him. We shouldn't have a problem with telling others about Him! So, give God the best of your time. Give Him the best of your money. Give Him the best of your energy. Give Him the best of your everything, including your life!
The second thing the Lord showed me was this—Obedience brings blessing. In Chapter 29, verse 38, it says
“This is what you are to offer regularly on the altar every day: .
And it lists out what Aaron and the priests are supposed to do.
We need God daily! I need Him every hour!
But at the end of that chapter, because of their obedience to sacrifice daily, the Bible says this,
Exodus 29:42-46
This will be a regular burnt offering throughout your generations at the entrance to the tent of meeting before the Lord, where I will meet you to speak with you. I will also meet with the Israelites there, and that place will be consecrated by my glory. I will consecrate the tent of meeting and the altar; I will also consecrate Aaron and his sons to serve me as priests. I will dwell among the Israelites and be their God. And they will know that I am the Lord their God, who brought them out of the land of Egypt, so that I might dwell among them. I am the Lord their God.
God will always bless His people when they obey. And here, His blessing was His presence. He would be their Lord, their provider! They would know God intimately, and He would know them! God promises so much to us in Scripture. We just need to obey what He says. And friends, He says in His Word that if we truly love Him, we will obey His commands!
As I said at the beginning of this devotion, I shouldn't be shocked when God shows me something from His Word. I shouldn't be surprised when God reveals truth to me, or shows up when I “dont expect Him to”. Don’t be shocked when God does great things. Just trust Him! He deserves our very best, and He will bless when we obey! Let that encourage and challenge you today!