Exodus 34:23-24
Three times a year all your men are to appear before the Sovereign Lord, the God of Israel. I will drive out nations before you and enlarge your territory, and no one will covet your land when you go up three times each year to appear before the Lord your God. NIV
I’ve had an atypical morning. I had a very early appointment, and, somehow, I didn’t factor that in when I set my alarm last night.
So, out the door I dashed this morning … no make up, no cell phone, no COFFEE, and, most importantly no quiet time.
It’s been quite some time since I have started a day without first opening the Bible. It has become a habit … one that has benefitted me tremendously. Someone told me, I can’t remember who, that it says somewhere in the Bible that God calls us to spend time with him in the early morning. By nature, I’m a morning person, so that really works for me.
But, here it is lunchtime, and I’ve just finally made time in my day to get into the Word. And, I believe, the verse I found there would not have meant as much to me at 6 a.m. as it does now.
God is good. So obvious, but so true.
This verse is part of the broader story of Moses receiving the ten commandments. Last night, a dear friend was speaking about Moses, and she said, “He broke every single one of the Ten Commandments.” Of course, I began an inventory in my head … thou shalt not … and then she delivered the punch line … “right there on the ground,” she said, miming throwing down the tablets, “he broke them all at once!” I laughed. I had never heard that joke before.
So, at this point, Moses has broken the tablets and he’s gone back to the mountain for round two.
God tells Moses that the people should celebrate the Feast of Weeks and the Feast of Ingathering, and then He begins this verse, “All your men are to appear before the Master, the God of Israel, three times a year. You won’t have to worry about your land when you appear before your God three times each year, for I will drive out the nations before you and give you plenty of land. Nobody’s going to be hanging around plotting ways to get it from you.” MSG
You won’t have to worry about your land … that’s really powerful.
I think that God is saying to put Him in His rightful place, first among all things here, and then everything else, all our possessions, all our earthly obligations, will fall into place.
God wants our best. He wants the first fruits of our labor, and, I believe, He wants the first minutes of my day.
If I will be faithful, He will provide for me. I won’t have to worry about the rest of it.
That’s worth thinking about … I’ll do that as I finish up this topsy turvy day.
365 Days of Peace 