Thursday, March 1, 2012

The Wrong Verse

God really moves at Shepherd's Staff, the outreach that Trinity helps with.  This week, Danny, who goes to a different church, led the Bible study.  He first taught on Mark 6 where Jesus is not accepted in his hometown.  Then he noticed how Jesus would not do as many miracles there because of their lack of faith.  I think Danny was trying to teach about how people with more faith will see more miracles, but toward the end of the lesson it ended up being more Calvinistic and I didn't even open my mouth except to read a verse.

Speaking of, Danny asked me to read Exodus 4:29-31.  He had meant for me to read a verse from chapter 14 when God parts the Red Sea, but he told me the verse in chapter 4 and I read it.  I'm so glad I read it.  This is what says, "Moses and Aaron brought together all the elders of the Israelites, 30 and Aaron told them everything the LORD had said to Moses. He also performed the signs before the people, 31 and they believed. And when they heard that the LORD was concerned about them and had seen their misery, they bowed down and worshiped."

So, there were still signs and wonders, and the people realized how much the Lord is concerned about them.  They were fickle people who started to doubt right when they got to the Red Sea, but God still saved them with a mighty hand and outstretched arm.  It had nothing to do with their consistent faith and everything to do with God's holiness.

Then, we read other reactions to miracles.  Some doubters, like Abraham and Sarah, still received their promise.  Some like Pharaoh saw all kinds of miracles but God hardened his heart.  Then the Israelites saw the best miracles and still doubted depending on what day it was.  God still used them to bring us Christ.  Christ still saves us despite ourselves.

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