30 April 2010
Psalm 40, 54; Exod. 34:18-35; 1 Thess. 3:1-13; Matt. 5:27-37

Moses is given some of the particulars of the law including some of the festivals that must be kept when they get to the Promised Land and how to keep them. At the same time, the Ten Commandments are again given to replace the tablets Moses had broken when he came down to find the people reveling over the golden calves. As he descends Moses is unaware of his face shining from being in the presence of the Lord. The reflected glory of the Lord was shining. As he spent time away from the Lord, leading the people, the glory would fade, only to be renewed by time with the Lord again. We should bear the mark of having spent time in the presence of God in prayer and study, it should change us in appearance and attitude. Moses’ change of appearance was obvious to those who saw him, is yours?

Jesus takes on adultery and bearing false witness and again defines them in such ways that surely no one among them could plead innocence. Lust in the heart, even though not acted upon, is defined as adultery and swearing at all is deemed unnecessary if we are simply people of our word. What enhances our truth telling about swearing on something else? Our history of truth telling should be testimony enough but often isn’t. These teachings in the Sermon on the Mount were not designed to have the listeners walk away feeling good about themselves, believing they were good enough to get into heaven based on their righteousness. We need a savior would be the take-away from this teaching,

While Paul was prepared for persecution and even prison, he could not bear the thought that his missionary work would be either in vain because of a failure of the faith of those he evangelized or that it would be discredited by his situation. Imagine his joy when Timothy returned with a good report from Thessalonica where he had experienced great opposition when he had preached there. (see Acts 17.1-9) Paul surely felt the vulnerability of the churches he established as he knew that there would come those after him whose intentions were to destroy and discredit the work and the message. His prayer was for the church to love one another and also to grow in holiness, something we tend to think little about outside of legalism. We need to earnestly pray for true holiness in our lives that we might show forth His glory in our lives.

I will tell the glad news of deliverance
in the great congregation;
behold, I will not restrain my lips,
as you know, O LORD.
I will not hide your deliverance within my heart;
I will speak of your faithfulness and your salvation;
I will not conceal your steadfast love and your faithfulness
from the great congregation.