“Take Us As Your Inheritance”

The LORD said to Moses, “Chisel out two stone tablets like the first ones, and I will write on them the words that were on the first tablets, which you broke. Be ready in the morning, and then come up on Mount Sinai. Present yourself to me there on top of the mountain. No one is to come with you or be seen anywhere on the mountain; not even the flocks and herds may graze in front of the mountain.”

So Moses chiseled out two stone tablets like the first ones and went up Mount Sinai early in the morning, as the LORD had commanded him; and he carried the two stone tablets in his hands. Then the LORD came down in the cloud and stood there with him and proclaimed his name, the LORD. And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.”

Moses bowed to the ground at once and worshiped. “Lord,” he said, “if I have found favor in your eyes, then let the Lord go with us. Although this is a stiff-necked people, forgive our wickedness and our sin, and take us as your inheritance.”

Exodus 34:1-9

Think about this. Moses broke the tablets from God. God saw the need for Moses to have a second set. God wanted to make a point. His flock needs to be corrected, but that does not mean He does not love us. On the contrary, He takes the time to correct us, so we can get back on the right path.

God is slow to anger. He is demanding to those He loves. He is kind-hearted, but He is God. He is not our best friend. He is God. He is merciful and gracious, and He punishes the guilty.

As we put our faith into action, we need to avoid portraying God as having only our favorite attributes. We must worship all of God, not just what we like.

All-powerful, merciful, wise, and just is the God in whom we trust.

Our Daily Bread – March 3, 2012