October 19, 2022 - Exodus 32:7-10

“The LORD told Moses, “Quick! Go down the mountain! Your people whom you brought from the land of Egypt have corrupted themselves. How quickly they have turned away from the way I commanded them to live! They have melted down gold and made a calf, and they have bowed down and sacrificed to it. They are saying, ‘These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you out of the land of Egypt.’” Then the LORD said, “I have seen how stubborn and rebellious these people are. Now leave me alone so my fierce anger can blaze against them, and I will destroy them.”” Exodus 32:7-10 NLT

Lord, you are such a patient God. We mess up so much and you forgive us again and again. Even in these verses you don’t act on your anger, but you give your people yet another chance. What we can see in these verses is that we have the power to anger and frustrate you. We have the power to mess up what you want in our lives. Lord, on one hand this isn’t really a new revelation, but on the other hand when we really think about this, it is surprising. It is remarkable that you give us mere humans the power of choice. You allow us to choose things that cause you pain. We can make choices again and again that bring you to anger. How frustrating it must be for you when you see us making mistakes that not only ruin the perfect plans you have for us, but also cause pain to others that you love. You could so easily choose to take away our choice and make the world live in peace and harmony, but then our love for you would be dictated. It can’t truly be love if we didn’t choose to give it. You would rather live with the frustration and pain and allow us to make the choice to love and follow you. That is such an example of true love. Help us learn to make choices that bring you glory and don’t cause you frustration. Help us learn to trust that your plans are always perfect.

In Jesus name, amen.