Praying and Pondering - Exodus 19:23

Exodus 19:23 Moses said to the Lord, “The people cannot come up Mount Sinai, because you yourself warned us, ‘Put limits around the mountain and set it apart as holy.’” (NIV)

            Sad to write, but I think we’re losing our sense of what is meant to be holy and kept sacred. This morning I saw a cartoon post from one of my pastor friends in which God was depicted as using profane language to get his point across. I know why he did it, but it irked me and caused me to question how far we have strayed from the holy Creator Father that the Bible presents to us.

            Now I’m not advocating that we should all become saints and lead puritanical lives – I’m the least person who could accomplish that – but what I’m expressing is a re-forming of our ideas, opinions, and beliefs in order to recapture the true wonder and awe that holiness and sacredness are meant to inspire.

            Praying and pondering on a daily basis is perhaps a good place to start. We all lead intensely busy lives that working God into our timetables is something we resist, push back against, or ignore. We all want to live healthy and happy lives, but at what cost to our spirits and unique relationship with God? We are meant to keep that deep part of us in a special way, and set respectful boundaries, much like the limits that were imposed on the Hebrew people when God came down to them at Mount Sinai. I personally believe if we could accomplish that personal level of holiness, our fractured lives would be healed and our souls would experience a lasting happiness. Perhaps today would be a good time to start.

Point to ponder

Have I scheduled some holy time to quietly be with God today? Am I willing to try?

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, every day You set aside time to be alone with God for prayer, guidance, and support. If You needed those sacred moments, then how much more do we require them in our lives? Give us the determination and focus to re-form our relationship with our Creator. Allow us the blessing of true holiness in His presence. In Your Sacred Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the Scottish pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment on today’s message, please send him an email to Traqair@aol.com. You may read the church website at www.erinpresbyterian.org.

Today’s image is one of John’s crayons drawings of the Smoky Mountains called ‘Heaven meets Earth.’ If you would like to view a larger version, please click this link: Mountain.

Daily Devotion: After Easter - Exodus 33:13

Exodus 33:13 “If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people.”

We had a beautiful Easter service yesterday at church. It always good to see many people with their families worshipping God. Because I’m an ‘Easter person,’ I get energized by the whole day.

The day after Easter is quietly different. The celebrations are over and life continues with its own routines. It’s not an anti-climax or depressing; it’s just different.

This is a good time to renew our connection to God. Hopefully, the energy and enthusiasm of the Easter worship experience have given many people a new start to their lives. Spring is bursting with life all around us, so why not make this delightful time a precious moment of spiritual growth when we reconnect to God?

Today’s passage from Exodus 33:7-14 reveals to us Moses’ need of being reconnected to God in the midst of the Wilderness Wanderings. He felt the burden of leadership upon his shoulders and even although he had a special prominence among the people of God, he still needed to know that God would be constantly with him, guiding his decisions, and supporting his choices. The great thing about Moses’ prayer is that God answered it perfectly: "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest."

Whatever your plans for the rest of this week, or indeed for the rest of the year, may you know the blessing of God’s Presence and the joy of His rest.

 Questions for personal reflection

Is there something really important currently happening in my life? Have I asked God to be beside me throughout it?

Prayer:            Lord God, thank You for the wonder of Easter and the spiritually refreshing blessings that we have experienced. Be with us now and guide us; carry us through our present circumstances and help us to make good choices that benefit us, as well as glorifying You. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment or ask a question about today’s message, please feel free to send him an email to traqair@aol.com.

Today’s image is one of John’s latest Easter drawings. It’s called “Rising Star” and depicts the wonderful moment of Christ’s Resurrection. If you would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link: http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8379/8605348590_5eb2124c1e_h.jpg