Before God Moves.
Memory Verse:
'Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, '
2 Corinthians 6:17
Sermon Sentence: Sanctification is the process of becoming different the closer we move to the presence of God.
'Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, '
2 Corinthians 6:17
Sermon Sentence: Sanctification is the process of becoming different the closer we move to the presence of God.
Day 1
Read Exodus 19
The next chapter is where God reveals the most obvious characteristics of Himself to the people for the very first time in the Ten Commandments, and the rest of the Law. Think about that for a second. This is the second book of the Bible. The story so far has not been that long. There is no Bible and there is no church, like we know. God is starting from scratch and His goal is to reveal Himself to the world. When Moses has the Law, the guidelines for how to live life, they will get their first detailed picture of who God is and what He is like.
It is interesting to me that God introduces Himself against this background. Imagine being there and experiencing all of this. This is the God of love. This is the God of happiness. But imagine looking around and seeing the view! The drama would have been high and the anxiety would have been elevated. But you can be certain the experience would be memorable and different. It was Holy. It was different. The people were expected to be different, special instructions were given, there was a way to approach and a boundary to approach and many more things. God has something to say, and it needed to be sectioned off from all of the other events as something different than the rest of the day, week, or year.
After reflecting on these thoughts, what do you imagine you would have felt and experienced in that moment?
Why do you think there is always fire and smoke and sometimes thunder and lightning in God’s presence?
What does this passage teach you about how you should see God’s presence now?
How does this become your prayer today?
The next chapter is where God reveals the most obvious characteristics of Himself to the people for the very first time in the Ten Commandments, and the rest of the Law. Think about that for a second. This is the second book of the Bible. The story so far has not been that long. There is no Bible and there is no church, like we know. God is starting from scratch and His goal is to reveal Himself to the world. When Moses has the Law, the guidelines for how to live life, they will get their first detailed picture of who God is and what He is like.
It is interesting to me that God introduces Himself against this background. Imagine being there and experiencing all of this. This is the God of love. This is the God of happiness. But imagine looking around and seeing the view! The drama would have been high and the anxiety would have been elevated. But you can be certain the experience would be memorable and different. It was Holy. It was different. The people were expected to be different, special instructions were given, there was a way to approach and a boundary to approach and many more things. God has something to say, and it needed to be sectioned off from all of the other events as something different than the rest of the day, week, or year.
After reflecting on these thoughts, what do you imagine you would have felt and experienced in that moment?
Why do you think there is always fire and smoke and sometimes thunder and lightning in God’s presence?
What does this passage teach you about how you should see God’s presence now?
How does this become your prayer today?
Day 2
Read Joshua 3
The way the writer draws out the drama of these events over the course of 3 or 4 chapters reminds me of The Hobbit being stretched out over three movies. The Red Sea crossing gets one chapter and then Moses sings a song about it the next chapter, but there is not as much content there as here. God marks this event as the big moment to kick off Joshua’s leadership. Crossing the Jordan River just like everyone had heard of their relatives crossing the Red Sea would surely make everyone see this as significant and God’s hand involved.
This chapter is all about God making Himself known. He is making Himself known as with Joshua as he leads the people. He is making himself known to the people by splitting the Jordan River. He is making himself known to the world by doing one of the greatest miracles recorded and preserving it in the mouths of people of that time, but also in the book we call the Bible. He is also making Himself known to the people of Israel that, after this event, are referred to as the nation of Israel (v. 17). In all of God’s work, He makes Himself known…and there is nothing better than knowing God!
What are the events in your life that have made God known in and around you?
What do you think the people were actually doing when they were called to “Consecrate” themselves, or sanctify themselves?
Why was it important for Joshua to be “exalted in the sight” of Israel?
How does this become part of your prayer today?
The way the writer draws out the drama of these events over the course of 3 or 4 chapters reminds me of The Hobbit being stretched out over three movies. The Red Sea crossing gets one chapter and then Moses sings a song about it the next chapter, but there is not as much content there as here. God marks this event as the big moment to kick off Joshua’s leadership. Crossing the Jordan River just like everyone had heard of their relatives crossing the Red Sea would surely make everyone see this as significant and God’s hand involved.
This chapter is all about God making Himself known. He is making Himself known as with Joshua as he leads the people. He is making himself known to the people by splitting the Jordan River. He is making himself known to the world by doing one of the greatest miracles recorded and preserving it in the mouths of people of that time, but also in the book we call the Bible. He is also making Himself known to the people of Israel that, after this event, are referred to as the nation of Israel (v. 17). In all of God’s work, He makes Himself known…and there is nothing better than knowing God!
What are the events in your life that have made God known in and around you?
What do you think the people were actually doing when they were called to “Consecrate” themselves, or sanctify themselves?
Why was it important for Joshua to be “exalted in the sight” of Israel?
How does this become part of your prayer today?
Day 3
Read Exodus 15
(Today’s Devotion written by Autumn Gildroy)
In these passages we read the aftermath of the Israelites crossing the Red Sea (Exodus) This moment reflects on the power of God’s ability to do what seems impossible. In this passage, Israel faced overwhelming obstacles- running from the Egyptians and facing an impassable sea. Yet even though it seemed impossible, God demonstrated that victory comes not through our own strength or strategy, but through His mighty power.
In Exodus 15, after the Israelites crossed the Red Sea and witnessed God’s deliverance, Moses and the people broke into a song of praise. They declared that God was their strength, their defense, and their salvation. The Egyptians, who had pursued them, were swallowed by the sea. It was clear: Israel was saved by God alone. The same kind of miraculous intervention occurred at the Jordan River, where God held the waters so the Israelites could pass into the Promised Land on dry ground.
Both events show us a vital truth: Victory comes through God’s power, not our own.
When we encounter obstacles in life- whether personal struggles, relational issues, or even spiritual battles- it’s easy to feel like we’re up against something too big to overcome. The Israelites must have felt the same way, looking at the Red Sea and wondering how they would ever get across. But what they learned, and what we need to remember, is that God is more powerful than any challenge we face.
In Exodus 15, Moses sings, “I will sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea. The Lord is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation; this is my God and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him.” This isn’t just a song. It’s a declaration of faith. Moses recognized that Israel’s victory wasn’t because of their military strength or wisdom-it was because of God’s power. And when we face challenged, we need to do the same: declare that God is our strength, our defense, and our salvation.
Joshua 4:24 reminds us that God’s power is on display for a greater purpose: “He did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the Lord is powerful.” When God works on our behalf, it isn’t just for us- it’s a testimony to the world of His greatness. Our victory is an opportunity to point others to God’s mighty power.
When you face obstacles, remember that God is greater than any challenge. Just as He parted the Red Sea and the Jordan River, He can make a way for you where there seems to be none. Take a moment today to acknowledge that God is your source of strength and power, and trust that He will fight for you.
Ask yourself:
1. How can you acknowledge God’s power today?
2. What past victories do you praise God for?
3. How can you use your past/present victories to be a testimony to others?
4. What are some ways you can trust God in your life right now?
(Today’s Devotion written by Autumn Gildroy)
In these passages we read the aftermath of the Israelites crossing the Red Sea (Exodus) This moment reflects on the power of God’s ability to do what seems impossible. In this passage, Israel faced overwhelming obstacles- running from the Egyptians and facing an impassable sea. Yet even though it seemed impossible, God demonstrated that victory comes not through our own strength or strategy, but through His mighty power.
In Exodus 15, after the Israelites crossed the Red Sea and witnessed God’s deliverance, Moses and the people broke into a song of praise. They declared that God was their strength, their defense, and their salvation. The Egyptians, who had pursued them, were swallowed by the sea. It was clear: Israel was saved by God alone. The same kind of miraculous intervention occurred at the Jordan River, where God held the waters so the Israelites could pass into the Promised Land on dry ground.
Both events show us a vital truth: Victory comes through God’s power, not our own.
When we encounter obstacles in life- whether personal struggles, relational issues, or even spiritual battles- it’s easy to feel like we’re up against something too big to overcome. The Israelites must have felt the same way, looking at the Red Sea and wondering how they would ever get across. But what they learned, and what we need to remember, is that God is more powerful than any challenge we face.
In Exodus 15, Moses sings, “I will sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea. The Lord is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation; this is my God and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him.” This isn’t just a song. It’s a declaration of faith. Moses recognized that Israel’s victory wasn’t because of their military strength or wisdom-it was because of God’s power. And when we face challenged, we need to do the same: declare that God is our strength, our defense, and our salvation.
Joshua 4:24 reminds us that God’s power is on display for a greater purpose: “He did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the Lord is powerful.” When God works on our behalf, it isn’t just for us- it’s a testimony to the world of His greatness. Our victory is an opportunity to point others to God’s mighty power.
When you face obstacles, remember that God is greater than any challenge. Just as He parted the Red Sea and the Jordan River, He can make a way for you where there seems to be none. Take a moment today to acknowledge that God is your source of strength and power, and trust that He will fight for you.
Ask yourself:
1. How can you acknowledge God’s power today?
2. What past victories do you praise God for?
3. How can you use your past/present victories to be a testimony to others?
4. What are some ways you can trust God in your life right now?
Day 4
Read Exodus 14:1-14
I wonder which one you like more: The Red Sea crossing story or the Jordan River crossing story? Have you ever even read them back to back? It is one of those super obvious parallels that are clearly connected in the Bible. It would be a beneficial thing for you to sit down with these stories and draw out the things that you see that are similar. One of the differences is the prestory build up as we have it in this text. When you are reading it in Exodus, you don't feel that the reaction by the people is too much of a stretch. They panicked. They melted down. They began to believe lies in their anxiety. It is all stuff we can understand. God had never crossed a people through a sea or river before. These were unprecedented grounds! Absent from the Jordan River scene is this nationwide meltdown and I have always found that interesting.
That's the interesting thing about faith: it builds through experience. As it was taking them to different levels, notice how they processed it all. It was better for us to have stayed in Egypt, because that is all we knew! Before that happened, no one had ever heard of a God rescuing a people from slavery. So when they reached a tough spot, notice that they reverted back to the time before God started doing a great work. The lie began to undo all of the truth that they had experienced and kept them from moving forward in faith to what they were called to. By the time they get to the Jordan River, they have seen God split the ocean and deliver a nation from slavery. There was way more faith available to walk through the Jordan River.
What has God brought you through before that is helping you process what you are facing today?
How have you had those moments of faith scramble that tends to allow anxiety and the lies we choose to believe take over?
How does this become part of your prayer?
I wonder which one you like more: The Red Sea crossing story or the Jordan River crossing story? Have you ever even read them back to back? It is one of those super obvious parallels that are clearly connected in the Bible. It would be a beneficial thing for you to sit down with these stories and draw out the things that you see that are similar. One of the differences is the prestory build up as we have it in this text. When you are reading it in Exodus, you don't feel that the reaction by the people is too much of a stretch. They panicked. They melted down. They began to believe lies in their anxiety. It is all stuff we can understand. God had never crossed a people through a sea or river before. These were unprecedented grounds! Absent from the Jordan River scene is this nationwide meltdown and I have always found that interesting.
That's the interesting thing about faith: it builds through experience. As it was taking them to different levels, notice how they processed it all. It was better for us to have stayed in Egypt, because that is all we knew! Before that happened, no one had ever heard of a God rescuing a people from slavery. So when they reached a tough spot, notice that they reverted back to the time before God started doing a great work. The lie began to undo all of the truth that they had experienced and kept them from moving forward in faith to what they were called to. By the time they get to the Jordan River, they have seen God split the ocean and deliver a nation from slavery. There was way more faith available to walk through the Jordan River.
What has God brought you through before that is helping you process what you are facing today?
How have you had those moments of faith scramble that tends to allow anxiety and the lies we choose to believe take over?
How does this become part of your prayer?
Day 5
Read Exodus 14:15-31
Recently, we read the story of Elijah escaping to the cave when he was afraid of Jezebel. Elijah was having a difficult time processing it all and it was there that God simply asked him, “What are you doing here?” It feels cold to the one that is looking to be coddled. Also, it is important to note that there are many times that God does show a compassion and coddling spirit to those in need. That is just not the approach in the Elijah story, nor this one. Moses is overwhelmed and feeling the pressure of the people turning to him. God simply asks, “Why do you cry to me? Tell the people to go forward.”
It is not always the best answer, but it is the answer sometimes. There are plenty of times that we face life and allow the lies to begin to take over and for the hundredth time, we go back to God and try to get some direction for what to do. It feels heartless and cold to be told what we have already been told again…or even to be told that it doesn’t make sense to keep asking…but sometimes it is what we need to be told. The reality is, the reason we keep going back to God asking if He is sure this is what He meant, is because we are struggling with our own faith. It may seem like He is not being clear, but the reality is our pause comes from our lack of faith.
Do you feel you have ever had one of those types of moments where God’s reply to you was a bit like Moses and Elijah (Why are you here? Why do you cry to me?)?
Why do you think God took them through the Red Sea, rather than a different route out of Egypt?
Think about all of the water saving stories there are in the Bible. How many can you name and why do you think that God tells stories like that through the water ideas?
How does this become part of your prayer today?
Recently, we read the story of Elijah escaping to the cave when he was afraid of Jezebel. Elijah was having a difficult time processing it all and it was there that God simply asked him, “What are you doing here?” It feels cold to the one that is looking to be coddled. Also, it is important to note that there are many times that God does show a compassion and coddling spirit to those in need. That is just not the approach in the Elijah story, nor this one. Moses is overwhelmed and feeling the pressure of the people turning to him. God simply asks, “Why do you cry to me? Tell the people to go forward.”
It is not always the best answer, but it is the answer sometimes. There are plenty of times that we face life and allow the lies to begin to take over and for the hundredth time, we go back to God and try to get some direction for what to do. It feels heartless and cold to be told what we have already been told again…or even to be told that it doesn’t make sense to keep asking…but sometimes it is what we need to be told. The reality is, the reason we keep going back to God asking if He is sure this is what He meant, is because we are struggling with our own faith. It may seem like He is not being clear, but the reality is our pause comes from our lack of faith.
Do you feel you have ever had one of those types of moments where God’s reply to you was a bit like Moses and Elijah (Why are you here? Why do you cry to me?)?
Why do you think God took them through the Red Sea, rather than a different route out of Egypt?
Think about all of the water saving stories there are in the Bible. How many can you name and why do you think that God tells stories like that through the water ideas?
How does this become part of your prayer today?
Devotions
Archive
2025
January
February
2024
January
March
May
June
July
August
September
2023
January
February
July
October
November
No Comments