May 22, 2019

Living in the Middle . . . What Happens Next?

Exodus 19:5–6

Rebekah Rose
Wednesday's Devo

May 22, 2019

Wednesday's Devo

May 22, 2019

Central Truth

Today, we are living in the middle—between our beginning and the eternity that God has promised. We can either let our circumstances determine our response to God, or we can choose to live with an expectant hope knowing that God is trustworthy and His promises are true!

Key Verse | Exodus 3:10, 12

"Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt. . . . But I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain."

Exodus 19:5–6

Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel.”

Dive Deeper | Exodus 19:5–6

We all love stories. We love when the city gets rescued, when the criminal is caught, and when the couple lives happily ever after. The reason we love so many of these stories is because we get to see the ending. We know amid the chaos that rescue, justice, and grace are coming. In retrospect, we can see the intense scenes, devastation, and life-altering moments and realize that it was just a momentary piece of the story that was leading to something greater.

What about the Israelites? Moses doubted God's plan to use him to free the Israelites (Exodus 4:10, 13; 5:22-23; 6:30). The Israelites complained when their current situation was not what they expected (Exodus 14:10-12, 15:22-24, 16:2-3, 17:1-3, 32:1). They were quick to let their circumstances determine their peace. They forgot what the Lord had promised and what mighty works He had shown them.

Now the hard question: What about us? I would like to think that after witnessing the plagues and the Red Sea parting that I would not have complained or doubted God's goodness in the wilderness, but I know I am more like an Israelite than I would care to admit. I, too, complain and try to control my circumstances instead of trusting God. All too quickly I forget the mighty works I have seen God do in my life and in the world around me.

God has written our ending (John 5:24). How are we living in the middle of the story? Christ-follower, are you choosing to live in expectant hope, in confidence that the Lord is trustworthy and His promises are true? For those who don't know God, I have great news for you! God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to live a perfect life and die the death that we deserve. Jesus received our punishment so that we can receive His inheritance. Through belief in Christ's sinless life, death, and resurrection, you can gain freedom and confidently walk through life in the middle knowing that God has written the end (Romans 10:9-10).

Discussion Questions

1. In Exodus 3-4, Moses doubts that God can use him because of his weaknesses. What strengths has the Lord given you, and how can you use them for His glory? Additionally, in what ways are you leaning into your weaknesses and letting God be glorified through them?

2. Exodus provides many examples of mankind being disobedient to God. Do we naturally follow God (Romans 6:6-14, 7:14-25)? If not, how do we train ourselves to follow Him? What are you currently doing to follow God's direction? Celebrate that! What could or should you be doing to follow Him more? Be bold and ask for accountability!

3. Multiple times in Exodus (Exodus 12:24-27, 13:8-9, 16:32, 17:14) and throughout the Bible, God asks His people to remember and remind others of the great things that God has done. How are you doing at reminding yourself of what God has done? Think of someone who you can encourage with a reminder of truth about who God is and what He does. Now actually do it!

4. Not only does God have a massive portfolio of past triumphs to celebrate, He has left us with a multitude of promises. In your current circumstances, what specific promises can you cling to? Search the Scriptures. Then meditate, memorize, and live in these promises!

Bonus: I’ve challenged you to apply what you've read through actions. Does God care about our actions? Are our actions necessary for salvation? What do our actions say about what we believe? I bet you have some good thoughts, but more importantly, what does Scripture say? (Read Matthew 7:21-23; Ephesians 2:8-10; Titus 3:4-5; James 1:19-25, 2:14-26.)