Moses saw that Aaron had let the people get completely out of
control, much to the amusement of their enemies. So he stood at the entrance to the camp and shouted, “All of
you who are on the Lord’s side, come here and join me.” And
all the Levites gathered around him. Exodus 32:25-26 (NLT)
The
next day Moses said to the people, “You have committed a terrible sin, but I
will go back up to the Lord on the mountain. Perhaps I will be able to obtain forgiveness for your sin.” So
Moses returned to the Lord and said, “Oh, what a terrible sin these people have
committed. They have made gods of gold
for themselves. But now, if you will only forgive their sin—but if
not, erase my name from the record you have written!” But the Lord replied to Moses, “No, I will erase the name of
everyone who has sinned against me. Exodus 32:30-33
(NLT)
This week we are creating an
“UN-Shopping List” – things we should throw out of our life’s shopping
basket. So far we’ve tossed weak
faith, stubbornness, and excuses. Today, as we close this series, and open a new year, we want to remember to “not forget”!
Does it ever seem to you that your life can be
described as running wild - out of control? It may not be noticeable to the
other people in your life, but you know it deep inside. You can feel that you don't have solid ground
to walk on. You know if something
doesn't happen to bring things down you're just going to explode.
Well, don't forget who you are, and Whose you
are!
Those Israelites, God's people, were becoming the
laughingstock of the world. Much like
the church of today with all the infighting, doctrinal wars and petty
disagreements, the Israelites had forgotten from whence they'd come. At a time when they needed it most, Moses,
God's under-shepherd, spoke a simple message:
Whoever is for the Lord, come to me. They'd forgotten; they simply needed to be
reminded.
And so, I remind you today - remember who (and Whose)
you are! Don't forget. Take all your forgetfulness and toss it!
The really important reason to “not forget” is that
God remembers. In ancient times kings
kept a register of their citizens. When
a man committed a crime against the state, or when he died, his name was erased
from that register.
There is a message of personal responsibility in this
passage. Moses prayed and received a
momentary stay for his people. My
parents were like Moses for me. As a
disobedient teen and young man, I am convinced it was only the prayers of my
Mother and Dad that kept me alive.
But ultimately God's mind will never be changed about
the personal nature of our sin. We bear
personal responsibility for what we are, and what we have done.
Beloved, there is a register that the King of Kings
keeps. It is called the Lamb's Book of
Life. On its pages are recorded the
names of every citizen of earth who has applied for, and received citizenship
of heaven! You may well ask, "How
does one apply?" You simply
ask God, trusting in the promise of Jesus Christ’s death on the cross in your
behalf.
You might also ask, "What does it cost?" Nothing you could ever pay. The price is already paid. It happened when Jesus went to the cross for
you and me.
A third question is in order: "When should I do this?" Right this moment! "Why?" Because if you're not listed on the King's
register, you are listed on the King's enemy's register....HELL!
Don't take hell with you this year. Put it on the UN-shopping list - toss
it!
For You Today:
This year - No forgetting! Nothing but Heaven!
No comments:
Post a Comment