DATE WRITTEN: Saturday, 2021-03-20
WRITTEN AT: Avon Park, FL

BIBLE REFERENCE: Exodus 12:26-28
TRANSLATION: Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)

BIBLE TEXT: ²⁶ When your children ask you, ‘Why are we doing this ceremony?’ ²⁷ you will say, ‘This Passover is to honor the Lord, because when we were in Egypt, he passed over the houses of Israel. He killed the Egyptians, but he saved the people in our houses.’” Then the people bowed down and worshiped the Lord. ²⁸ The Lord had given this command to Moses and Aaron, so the Israelites did what the Lord commanded.

OBSERVATION: I believe that most of us will think of our response to a good Sunday morning sermon when we read the theme of this devotional. But for the follower of Christ that reads their Bible daily, you will know that this could actually occur at any time that you are deeply in the Word of God. But regardless of when we receive a word from God, I want us to think deeply and sincerely about what we do with that word. Hang in there as we look deeper into what the Israelites did.

APPLICATION: After church services each week, you might see the pastor standing at the back of the church greeting parishioners as they leave the building. But some pastors don’t do that, because they dread hearing about how he looks, or about how awesome his sermon was for those hypocrites out there. You see, it is very easy to sit and apply the spoken word to others around you, or to your relative that couldn’t be bothered to attend church with you that day. It is easy to make the preacher feel good by praising him up for his fiery sermon, even though you may have napped through most of it. But my friends, whether you read the Word personally, or if you hear a very challenging sermon, it is critical that you recognize that it is the Word of the living God that is being proclaimed. Yes, when the Word is declared it could be especially applicable to the lifestyle and sins of those you know, but know that it is always pronounced in your presence for your good. God has ordained it for you to be in that place at that time for that particular word that is being shared with you. Notice that the Israelites heard the word proclaimed by God’s messengers, Moses and Aaron, and they didn’t bow down before them, but their heads, bodies and hearts bowed before Almighty God for directly sparing their lives at a time that their neighbors were seeing death and destruction in their families. Yes they saw mere men standing before them sharing a word from God, but they knew without a doubt that it was God who sent the word for them, because they had seen His hand at work in their families. Let me encourage you friends: do not go to church this weekend out of habit or because it is scheduled each week, or because of who is teaching or preaching, but go expecting a word from God specifically for you. In our world, God has chosen to give wisdom and knowledge to pastors who will listen intently to Him as they study His Word and then expound on it to small and large congregations. Be like the Israelites, and listen closely to what God has to say to you. Know that He has your pastor in place for a time such as this, for he is God’s messenger with a special word for you. Yes, he is human, and he has flaws just like you and I, but know that God is his judge and not you and I. In the Bible we are told that God uses the foolishness of preaching to speak to His children. So listen to what God has to say to you – even through the mortal man He is delivering it through. Then act on the Word just like the Israelites did. Bow before God and praise Him for His message given just for you, then move on to obey what God has ordered you to do. Your children will probably ask why you are doing what you do each day, each week and on each religious holiday. Try listening to the word of Moses in what he told his countrymen – be ready to explain the mysteries of God.

PRAYER: Oh that we might learn to listen closely to Your word for us, instead of picking Your messenger apart for every misspoken word or for every flaw He might have as a fellow human. Lord, I believe that still today You work in our lives, protecting us from harm like You did with Your people, the Israelites. Please help us to look for and celebrate our blessings each and every day, especially through our worship to You and our praises in thanksgiving for Your goodness. We are truly a blessed people who are honored, protected and guided by an awesome God. All glory to our loving Lord for all Your wondrous works. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There are two more pages on my blog at https://NuggetsFromGodsWord.org that will provide you with additional information, one of them being ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading or listening to this devotional, please go to the above page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to Nuggets From God’s Word and see all of my posts, or you may freely subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. I would encourage you to find a church home near by your home, and attend as frequently as you could. Get to know God, and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk, while making every effort to be a blessing to them. God is at work among His people! Please consider growing in your faith, as you worship with fellow believers!