Thoughts

Exodus 12:14-13:16




Heb 11:6 NIV  And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

1Ch 28:9 NIV  "And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever.

Mat 6:33 NIV  But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Luk 16:20-31 NIV  At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores (21)  and longing to eat what fell from the rich man's table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. (22)  "The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried. (23)  In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. (24)  So he called to him, 'Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.' (25)  "But Abraham replied, 'Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. (26)  And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.' (27)  "He answered, 'Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father's house, (28)  for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.' (29)  "Abraham replied, 'They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.' (30)  "'No, father Abraham,' he said, 'but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.' (31)  "He said to him, 'If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.'"

I’ve put together the above scripture passages because as I read about Moses and Pharaoh, the above verse or verses come to mind.The evidence of God, His Power, His Lordship over nature is all around us, it envelopes us and it speaks to us through His Creation; yet most, like Pharaoh, hang on to their defeated gods.  Why?  What is it about us that cause us to be so rebellious and self-deceived despite all evidence to the contrary?   Not only were the Egyptian gods who ruled over land, sea and air utterly useless in the presence of God, the Pharaoh, who considered himself a god, and the people as well, could not keep his own first born safe.   His power was false at best and delusional at worst because he had nothing of the Devine in him. .  The only power he had over the people came from fear. 

Rom 1:22-25 NIV  Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools  (23)  and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.  (24)  Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another.  (25)  They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.

I find today's readings are making me sad, very sad even though there is preparation for a liberation celebration.