Today is the 8th day of Lent.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace through the power of the Holy Spirit.   

Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”  
 
Today’s reading is from the Book of Exodus, Chapter 34.
 

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.”


This is the story of the ten commandments. But it’s part two, because the first time around… the whole thing turned out to be a disaster. Moses left the people to meet with God, but they started to worship an idol and when Moses got back to them with the law of God, he became so angry He threw the tablets and broke them. It’s funny, isn’t it: that what was meant to be such a holy moment got turned around and filled with impatience, idolatry, and anger. How do you imagine Moses felt?
 
Think about a situation in your life where you’ve been slow to hear God’s word to you, whether a new direction or a word of correction. Maybe God has had to come back to you again and again to accomplish his purpose in your life. As you listen to the passage again, consider not only how God is patient with the Israelites, but how patient he is with you.

Moses learned to be courageous with God. He prays: God… even though we are stubborn and wicked and sinful… even though we couldn’t get this right the first time… can we still be your people? Will you still take us as your inheritance? As we close our time, take heart because no matter what your track record is with God, his track record with you is consistent: “compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.”
  
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your holy Spirit from me. Give me the joy of your saving help again and sustain me with your bountiful Spirit. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Music: What Can Separate - Vineyard Worship - (YouTube)