Luke 15:7 “I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.”
I’ve mentioned before that a dear friend once said, “Any time we draw a line between ‘us’ and ‘them,’ God is always on the other side.” And the Bible very clearly states that anger in your heart is just as big a sin as murder, and yet, I still read Luke 15:7 and immediately lump myself in with the 99 righteous. Except I’m pretty sure the 99 are all angels because, bless our hearts, those of us who slog around on earth are so fallible.
Luke 15:31 “‘Son, you are always with me…and all that is mine is yours.’”
Yet I don’t see Luke 15 as condemnation. I see it as hope. God knows my heart, my struggles. He knows my weaknesses. Yet He pursues me relentlessly and rejoices when my heart centers fully on Him. His gift of grace has no strings. He only needs me to open my hands, open my heart, and receive it.
Luke 15:32 “‘But it was fitting to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”
Lord, Thank You for this day, for calling me to this scripture, for loving me and pursuing me, even when I fail to see my own worth in You. Thank You for rejoicing when even one rests securely in Your grace. Help us never forget how much we need You. Draw us closer. Amen.
Luke 15:10 “In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels over one sinner who repents.”
Have a blessed day.
A beautiful assurance…. (devo reflection)
Exodus 30:6 Put the altar in front of the curtain that shields the ark of the covenant law…where I will meet with you.
I have been writing some version of this morning reflection for well over five years. Anything good that has ever or will ever come from it is a gift from and to the glory of my Maker. One of the biggest things I’ve always felt Him calling me to do is to be honest about where I am, admitting my fears and struggles in the hopes that anyone else struggling similarly, feeling shame or guilt about not being able to get it all together, will see they are not alone, that their Maker loves them deeply and can use the struggles to bring glory to Himself, to give others hope, to draw the struggler closer to Him. He’s certainly done that for me.
Exodus 30:7 Aaron must burn fragrant incense on the alter every morning when he tends the lamps.
Make no mistake—it’s not easy or fun to struggle. It can be frustrating, agonizing, but God can use it all. And no matter how intelligent, how powerful, how eloquent, how thoughtful you are on your best days, God loves you just as much, just as deeply, just as fiercely on your worst days, when all you have to offer Him is yourself, and that certainly doesn’t seem like much. While it’s a hard thing to live, it’s a beautiful assurance to have.
Exodus 30:36 Grind some of it to powder and place it in front of the ark of the covenant law in the tent of meeting, where I will meet with you.
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for this insight. Thank You that Your love is not conditional, not contingent on my thoughts, my abilities, or my contributions. You want my heart, Lord, and even when I feel that’s the only thing of value I have to give and it doesn’t feel like much, You still love me deeply. I’m not worthy, Lord, but I am eternally grateful. Draw me closer. Amen.
Exodus 30:37 Do not make any incense with this formula for yourselves; consider it holy to the LORD.
Have a blessed day.
It’s about relationship…. (devo reflection)
Exodus 29:20 “…take some of its blood and put it on the lines of the right ears of Aaron and his sons, on the thumbs of their right hands, and on the big toes of their right feet….”
As I read Exodus 29 this morning, I was met with the same feeling of overwhelm and frustration that has marked my study of late. So many details, so many specifics. I’m not sure why, but I find it totally overwhelming.
Exodus 29:28 This will belong to Aaron and his sons as a regular portion from the Israelites….
The commentary helped with enlightenment, but as I was floundering for verses to pull and things to say, I got the very distinct sense that God wants me to see Him. Always. When I understand His word and can speak eloquently or when I’m overwhelmed and frustrated, He wants my solid foundation to be Him. He wants me to know that He is with me, He loves me, He wants a relationship with me. Always. He feels the same way about you, too.
Exodus 29:43 …There I will meet with you and speak with you….
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for meeting me here to speak with me each morning. Thank You for loving and valuing me because I am Yours and not because of anything I can say or do. Thank You for loving me through the slogging, confusing “ugh” of this present mood and for not allowing me to wallow in self pity. Thank You for dwelling with me and being my God. Draw me closer. Amen.
Exodus 29:46 They will know that I am the LORD their God, who brought them out of Egypt so that I might dwell among them. I am the LORD their God.
Have a blessed day.
Perspective is powerful…. (devo reflection)
Exodus 28:5 Have them use gold, and blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and fine linen.
I’m not in a very good headspace right now. The cause could be any of a myriad different reasons, but regardless, I’m struggling. And for me, a negative headspace has the ability to color everything with its negativity. I think that’s why all the rules and specifics in this part of Exodus feel so oppressive to me.
Exodus 28:6 Make the ephod of gold, and of blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and of finely twisted linen….
But perspective is powerful. I have a dear friend who sent the following text after reading my devo reflection for Exodus 27: “It is so easy to get bogged down in these details. I did a Beth Moore study on the Tabernacle years ago and was blown away by the beauty of these details. My big take away is that God IS in the details of our lives. And He is faithful in every way….” Thank You, Jesus for this positivity.
Exodus 28:7 It is to have two shoulder pieces attached to two of its corners so it can be fastened.
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for this reminder that I cannot trust my feelings and that You ARE in the details of my life. Thank You for using others to point me back to You and for allowing me to shine Your light. Draw us all closer. Amen.
Exodus 28:8 Its skillfully woven waistband is to be like it—of one piece with the ephod and made with gold….
Have a blessed day.
A light in the darkness…. (devo reflection)
Exodus 27:20 “Command the Israelites to bring you clear oil of pressed olives for the light so that the lamps may be kept burning.”
My husband loves to build a fire in the fireplace most evenings in the fall and winter. The heat and light are comforting, but I think it is also the process of keeping the fire going that he enjoys. Several times this week, though, despite the fact that he’s done what he always has, his efforts have resulted in frustration. The fire doesn’t catch. It hisses and sputters and goes out.
Exodus 27:21a “In the tent of meeting, outside the curtain that shields the ark of the covenant law, Aaron and his sons are to keep the lamps burning before the LORD from evening till morning.”
It occurred to me this morning that that floundering fire—hissing and sputtering, even though everything is as it should be for a roaring fire—that feels like such an accurate metaphor for my current spiritual state. I don’t know why, and it is incredibly frustrating.
Exodus 27:21b “This is to be a lasting ordinance among the Israelites for the generations to come.”
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for this clarity. Something is off on my end. The fire is laid correctly, but it won’t catch, won’t burn properly, and I don’t like it, but I’m not sure how to fix it. Thank You for leading me to this truth. Lead me through it and draw me closer to You. Help me to burn brightly for You instead of hissing and spitting in this state of frustration. Amen.
John 1:5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
Have a blessed day.
A glorious gift…. (devo reflection)
Exodus 27:9 “Make a courtyard for the tabernacle. The south side shall be a hundred cubits long and is to have curtains of finely twisted linen….”
Again I am stymied with this chapter, bogged down by the very specific directions given, struggling to connect what I am reading with my walk. Again the commentary helps provide insight that gives me direction. Again I am forced? encouraged? led? to make peace with the fact that I don’t know everything, can’t know everything. It isn’t expected. It wouldn’t be useful in His kingdom work. It’s ok.
Exodus 27:12 “The west end of the courtyard shall be fifty cubits wide and have curtains, with ten posts and ten bases.”
The biggest takeaway for me from this chapter is a sense of gratitude. This chapter focuses much on the courtyard, which, under the old covenant, is where common folk like me had to stop. That’s as close as we could get. But Jesus changed all that. He broke down the barriers separating me from God. Because of His sacrifice, I can walk right to the foot of God’s throne. What a glorious gift.
Exodus 27:16 “For the entrance to the courtyard, provide a curtain twenty cubits long, of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen….”
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for the precious gift of Your Son and Your presence. Thank You for the insight I am able to gain through commentary, for the fact that You don’t expect me to know everything, and for the fact that I am beginning to acknowledge and accept my limitations. Thank You for wanting a relationship with Me and for sending Your Son to restore me to You. Draw me closer. Amen.
Exodus 27:19 “All the other articles used in the service of the tabernacle, whatever their function, including all the tent pegs for it and those for the courtyard, are to be of bronze.”
Have a blessed day.
Seeking…. (devo reflection)
Exodus 26:34 Put the atonement cover on the ark of the covenant law in the Most Holy Place.
When I read chapter 26 this morning, I had a very difficult time trying to figure out how to apply it to my life, my walk. In fact, without the insights gained through the commentary, I’m not sure I’d have anything of value to say. Perhaps that is the first lesson of this chapter—It’s ok to not know, to not understand, to not get it on your own. Matt 7:7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find….”
Exodus 26:35 Place the table outside the curtain on the north side of the tabernacle and put the lamp stand opposite it on the south side.
The commentary about verses 34 and 35 really struck me. The commentator said: “The furniture in the holy place spoke of the three great obligations of walking with God….” The atonement cover in the most holy place represents the need for prayer. The table holding the showbread represents the need for fellowship. The lampstand represents the need for God’s illumination and enlightenment in our lives. While I would never have perceived that without the commentary, I totally see the correlation.
Exodus 26:36 For the entrance to the tent make a curtain of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen—the work of an embroiderer.
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for the reminder that we don’t have to figure it all out alone, that we need conversation with You and communion with others to help us make sense of this life. Draw me closer as I seek to know You more. Amen.
Exodus 26:37 Make gold hooks for this curtain and five posts of acacia wood overlaid with gold….
Have a blessed day.
The space to choose You…. (devo reflection)
Exodus 25:2 “…You are to receive the offering for Me from everyone whose heart prompts them to give.”
I am reminded in this passage of the fact that God loves us deeply. He wants a relationship with each one of us, and He has the ability to command such a relationship, to force us into a relationship, but He gives us the right to choose Him or not, knowing how rich a relationship with Him will be, allowing us to recognize our need for Him in our own lives.
Exodus 25:8 “Then have them make a sanctuary for Me, and I will dwell among them.”
As a fallible lump of humanity, it boggles my mind why He would even care about me, about any of us. He is the Creator of all the universe after all. But as a mother, a teacher, a compassionate human being, I get it. We are His creation, and He loves us simply because we are His. He wants to spend time with us. He wants a relationship with us. But He leaves it our choice.
Exodus 25:22 “There, above the cover between the two cherubim that are over the ark of the covenant law, I will meet with you….”
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for this reminder that You love us and want a relationship with us. Thank You for giving us the space to choose You so that we understand our need before we even approach the foot of Your throne. Help us to shine Your light for all to see. Draw us closer. Amen.
Lamentations 3:22 Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail.
Have a blessed day.
Saying yes…. (devo reflection)
Exodus 24:3 When Moses went and told the people all the LORD’s words and laws, they responded with one voice, “Everything the LORD has said we will do.”
The Israelites are coming off of some pretty heady God-moments: the parting of the Red Sea allowed them to escape certain death while crushing their enemies, literally. Manna from heaven assured them of physical sustenance. Without trying to be unkind, to say yes to God in the face of such overwhelming God-support seems like a no-brainer.
Exodus 24:7 Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it to the people. They responded, “We will do everything the LORD has said; we will obey.”
It is much harder to say yes while slogging through valleys, when God’s provision doesn’t feel like a given. To say yes based on the fact that I know He is loving, even when my circumstances are frightening, to say yes based on His past provision, which seems so distant, to say yes because you know He’s been there time and time again and you have no reason to doubt He’s still with you, even though you can’t feel His presence, that takes faith, perseverance, steadfastness, trust.
Exodus 24:13 Then Moses set out with Joshua at his side, and Moses went up on the mountain of God.
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for this reminder that You are with us always, even when we can’t perceive it. Thank You for the times that You show up so clearly in my life, and thank You that I can trust Your presence and provision even when I’m struggling. You are with me always, and I am eternally grateful. Draw me closer. Amen.
Exodus 24:18 Then Moses entered the cloud as he went on up the mountain. And he stayed on the mountain forty days and forty nights.
Have a blessed day.
Little by little…. (devo reflection)
Exodus 23:30 Little by little I will drive them out before you, until you have increased enough to take possession of the land. (NIV)
I am not a tremendously patient person. Like many, I would be fine with quick changes. But God isn’t just after the end result. He wants us to be transformed into His image in the process, and that requires time and patience, perseverance, endurance, steadfast faithfulness.
Exodus 23:30 Instead, I will force out your enemies little by little and give your nation time to grow strong enough to take over the land. (CEV)
His timing, which can often feel excruciatingly slow as we wait, is accomplishing so much, little by little. He is strengthening and growing us while He is working in our circumstances.
Exodus 23:20 “See, I am sending an angel ahead of you to guard you along the way and to bring you to the place I have prepared.
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for this reminder that You are in all things, that You have a plan and a purpose, that You are working in our circumstances little by little, regardless of what our feelings try to tell us. Help us to grow stronger in You, more steadfast and more faithful, as we wait in joyful hope. Draw us closer. Amen.
Exodus 23:23 My angel will go ahead of you….
Have a blessed day.