Day 33: Exodus 31-33; Matthew 22:23-46-
What's that I hear?
As Moses and his protégé, Joshua, head down the mountain to respond to the fickle, sinful people who have utterly abandoned God in very short order after encountering His glorious presence, Joshua, before seeing anything, observes: "There is the sound of war in the camp" (Exodus 32:17). Moses sets him straight: "That's not war! That raucous sound is 'the people throwing a party'" (Message - Exodus 32:18). Having a party is not a bad thing, but this party had turned into a national orgy and it was obnoxious in the sight of God and His servant. What's that I hear? The eardrum-splitting sound of a nation that has chosen it's own sinful way, spiraling into hell in oblivion. God was ready to abandon them, destroy them. Moses interceded (Exodus 32:7-14).
In a gathering of humble God-seekers who had abandoned themselves to God's will, God's way, God heard their hearts with great delight and filled their hearts to overflowing with His outpoured Holy Spirit. Now, it was the people whose religious leaders had abandoned God for their own man-shaped religion, who came running to the unusual sound. What's that I hear? It's the sound of a 'rushing mighty wind.' Upon approaching the compelling, calling sound, the spiritually hungry people hear the message of eternal salvation in their own language. The Church interceded. God blessed (Acts 2).
Interestingly, 3000 men died the day of the golden calf (Exodus 32:28) and 3000 were added to the Church on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:41). Just a curiosity, or is it?
Spring ahead 2000 years to a gathering of men on the mall in D.C. It was a day of significant impact in my life (you have heard me reference this often...forgive my repetition, hear my heart). We were invited to get on our faces and cry out to God in repentance and intercession. Tens of thousands of us, filling up the mall on our knees, some in silence, many others crying out loudly. C-Span covered it live, unedited (unusual). One of our men who could not attend in person watched it. When it came to this moment, he called his wife into the room. "Listen!" he said. "That sounds like wind!"
What's that I hear? Too often it feels like the wilderness to me, but I am praying for an upper-room experience. Would you join me?
As Moses and his protégé, Joshua, head down the mountain to respond to the fickle, sinful people who have utterly abandoned God in very short order after encountering His glorious presence, Joshua, before seeing anything, observes: "There is the sound of war in the camp" (Exodus 32:17). Moses sets him straight: "That's not war! That raucous sound is 'the people throwing a party'" (Message - Exodus 32:18). Having a party is not a bad thing, but this party had turned into a national orgy and it was obnoxious in the sight of God and His servant. What's that I hear? The eardrum-splitting sound of a nation that has chosen it's own sinful way, spiraling into hell in oblivion. God was ready to abandon them, destroy them. Moses interceded (Exodus 32:7-14).
In a gathering of humble God-seekers who had abandoned themselves to God's will, God's way, God heard their hearts with great delight and filled their hearts to overflowing with His outpoured Holy Spirit. Now, it was the people whose religious leaders had abandoned God for their own man-shaped religion, who came running to the unusual sound. What's that I hear? It's the sound of a 'rushing mighty wind.' Upon approaching the compelling, calling sound, the spiritually hungry people hear the message of eternal salvation in their own language. The Church interceded. God blessed (Acts 2).
Interestingly, 3000 men died the day of the golden calf (Exodus 32:28) and 3000 were added to the Church on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:41). Just a curiosity, or is it?
Spring ahead 2000 years to a gathering of men on the mall in D.C. It was a day of significant impact in my life (you have heard me reference this often...forgive my repetition, hear my heart). We were invited to get on our faces and cry out to God in repentance and intercession. Tens of thousands of us, filling up the mall on our knees, some in silence, many others crying out loudly. C-Span covered it live, unedited (unusual). One of our men who could not attend in person watched it. When it came to this moment, he called his wife into the room. "Listen!" he said. "That sounds like wind!"
What's that I hear? Too often it feels like the wilderness to me, but I am praying for an upper-room experience. Would you join me?
Photo by Khamkéo Vilaysing on Unsplash
1 Comment
I will join you in praying. We so need it.