*Nothing More, Nothing Less

Then Moses went down to the people and repeated all the instructions and regulations the Lord had given him. All the people answered with one voice, “We will do everything the Lord has commanded.”
Exodus 24:3 NLT

They'd been freed from the slavery of Egypt. They'd been rescued from their enemies at the Red Sea. They'd been saved from hunger by food that fell from Heaven, and from dying of thirst by water pouring out of a rock. They were kept warm by fire at night and shaded from the desert sun with the cloud by day. God was making EVERY provision for them, despite their whining and complaining...

Finally, FINALLY, they respond in one voice, "We will do everything the Lord has commanded." Music to God's ears, I'm sure. Moses carefully writes it all down and reads it to them the very next morning and they respond the same way, “We will do everything the Lord has commanded.”

Then God tells Moses to come on up so He can give Moses the explicit instructions about His plan and how it's to be done. And in about a month and a half - 47 days - the people forget all about their escape from Egypt, and walking through the Red Sea on dry land, and the Book of the Covenant and their response; “We will do everything the Lord has commanded.” They want something hands-on to satisfy their immediate desires and Moses' brother, Aaron, their spiritual leader, goes along with THEIR plan, and then tries to combine their idol worship with a festival to the Lord. Unbelievable... or is it?

God provides for us on a daily basis. And it's all well and good while we're seeing His active intervention in our lives, but what about when we are waiting for an answer or an instruction for what to do next? His Word instructs us to wait, to listen and to obey. Do we? Or do we go with what WE think will work and then try to incorporate that (our will) into what should be His worship, His way? Unbelievable... or is it? If we stop looking at what we can't do, what we don't have, we might be able to see what we CAN do through Christ, and what we DO have because of God's hand of provision.

God's instructions are for our good. We each have a part. He hasn't asked me to do your part - or you to do my part, but He does expect us to do everything He has commanded us. Nothing more. NOTHING less.

Prayer:

Father,
          Your Word says You give power to the weak and strength to the powerless. It also assures us that we can be confident that we will see the Lord’s goodness while we are here in the land of the living. Help us to wait patiently for You, Lord. Cause us to be brave and courageous, so we may do all that You have commanded us. Nothing more. NOTHING less. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen