Prayer for Wednesday: Lord God, I have tried in vain to reform myself, and I have failed. Only You can truly change my heart; and I pray that You will do it, by the power of your Holy Spirit. Make me Your instrument, Holy God. Replace every prideful thought with a psalm, every angry instinct with a prayer of love and forgiveness. Let my life radiate Your glory, not my own; let every word that comes from my mouth be chastened and seasoned by You. Let every thought in my mind be noble and pure as Your word instructs. Inhabit me, infuse me, reform me, that I may live only in Christ, and He in me. Amen
Scripture Reflection for Wednesday: Today's journey "Through the Bible" visits Exodus 31-32.
In Exodus 31, we see that the Sabbath was a sign of the covenant (vv. 13, 16), just as the rainbow was for Noah and circumcision for Abraham. However, the Sabbath was not just a sign of the old covenant with Israel, but a sign of God’s created order (Ex. 20:11; 31:17). Therefore, while Christians are not under the ceremonial and judicial system of Israel, they still have an obligation to keep the Sabbath (or Lord's Day) as a day set apart to worship God. It is good to remember that “sabbath” does not mean seventh but rest or cessation. It is a day that is to be different from all other days; thus, it legitimately designates the first day of the week. How is keeping the Sabbath a sign of a covenant relationship with Christ and a foretaste of resting with Christ in the heavenly paradise?
In Exodus 32, we see that Moses here again is a type of Christ. The Lord Jesus is the Prophet preaching against idols, the King bringing the sword of discipline, and the Priest who offered Himself as the substitute for His people and intercedes for them. But where Moses could only bring truth and temporal deliverance, Christ can save from blindness, guilt, and sin.
Spiritual Meditation for Wednesday:
One of the ways we experience the power of God in our lives is from suffering because it strips us down to humility and dependence upon Him.
May God help you to grow in Christ today,
