NKJV 365 / Grace

NKJV 365 Day Reading Plan

Day 74 of 365 Grace After the Israelites were delivered from slavery in Egypt, God gave Moses commands and laws that were necessary for an orderly and righteous nation. Among the first commands were, "You shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not make for yourself a carved image" (Ex. 20:3, 4). When Moses communicated the covenant God had made with Israel, the people responded, "All that the Lord has said we will do, and be obedient" (Ex. 24:7). Fast forward forty days. While Moses was absent, we find these "obedient" Israelites profanely worshiping and dancing around an idol-a calf! One of the ultimate consequences of this great sin is that now God will not go with them on their journey. The covenant was broken; sin had separated Israel from God; and the price paid was the loss of His presence. It is in these circumstances that Moses begins to earnestly intercede for the manifestation of God's grace-first for himself and then for all of Israel. Moses needed assurance that God would not only be with him, but with everyone. And God's response? "I will also do this thing that you have spoken; for you have found grace in My sight, and I know you by name" (Ex. 33:17). God's grace was extended to a faithful, obedient servant and was bestowed upon undeserving, disobedient children. Grace is favor as exemplified by the favor given Moses. Grace is unmerited favor as illustrated by the grace given to the Israelites. But perhaps this passage also teaches that grace is the personal presence of Almighty God with His children. Truly this is the grace and the good news of the gospel: Immanuel, God with us. Cynthia Heald Taken from Women of Faith Devotional Bible Exodus 33:16-23 NASB 16 For how then can it be known that I have found favor in Your sight, I and Your people? Is it not by Your going with us, so that we, I and Your people, may be distinguished from all the other people who are upon the face of the earth?" 17 The L ord said to Moses, "I will also do this thing of which you have spoken; for you have found favor in My sight and I have known you by name." 18 Then Moses said, "I pray You, show me Your glory!" 19 And He said, "I Myself will make all My goodness pass before you, and will proclaim the name of the L ord before you; and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show compassion on whom I will show compassion." 20 But He said, "You cannot see My face, for no man can see Me and live!" 21 Then the L ord said, "Behold, there is a place by Me, and you shall stand there on the rock; 22 and it will come about, while My glory is passing by, that I will put you in the cleft of the rock and cover you with My hand until I have passed by. 23 Then I will take My hand away and you shall see My back, but My face shall not be seen."