Day 45, 15th October: Exodus, Matthew, Psalms
From worship to whinging!
Anne Marie Heap, Zion Baptist
Exodus 15:1-16:36
Matthew 28:1-20
Psalm 21:8-13
Have you ever had a time where God has done something really amazing? Maybe He’s answered your prayers or you’ve experienced a massive high after Soul Survivor? You are so full of praise right? The Israelites wrote a Song of Deliverance (Ex 15:1-21) to praise God when He had brought them victory, taking them from slavery in Egypt by parting the Red Sea.
However, next thing we read is about them complaining. We often easily forget how great God has been to us as soon as something tough happens. A lot of the Psalms show both times of complaint and praise. Today’s psalm is of David praising God after a victory in battle. It is okay to be completely honest with God, He cares about everything we are going through and can change our situations around.
Despite all the complaining, God is still gracious to the Israelites, as He is constantly to us. The Israelites complained they had no food or drink so God provided water from a rock and food for each day out of the sky (Ex 15:25; 16:4, 11). What a bunch of moaners right? Well, how often do we praise God for giving us something we asked for then feel disappointed and disillusioned when we realise the responsibility that comes with it?
The disciples must have felt like this after Jesus’ death: despite having witnessed many miracles, spending three years with Jesus and even casting out demons and healing people themselves, they had seen Jesus die. They must have felt alone, hurt, and in deep grief for losing their master, close friend and the One they felt had come to save them from the evil clutches of the Roman Empire. It seemed as if the Romans had won after all. It is at this point we get to witness Jesus’ greatest triumph-over death! Women went to the tomb and were spoken to by an angel. That’d make an impact on me. Matthew says that the women were ‘frightened but also filled with great joy’ (Matt 28:8). The disciples’ celebration probably went on all night.
They were now ready for Jesus’ final words: a big life-long assignment: to tell others the good news and teach them how to follow Jesus and be baptised, dying to their old selves, living a new life in Jesus (Matt 28:18-20). And that’s His assignment for us, are you ready for it?
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Today’s picture was taken by…
David Holloway and it’s of him reading his Bible at Scotney Castle in Kent! Thanks David!
If you’d like to take your own picture to potentially be featured on the blog, then get your Soul Survivor Bible in One Year, and take a picture of yourself – and your Bible – at some interesting or colourful location. Then email it to us at editor@soulsurvivor.com.
The pictures will need to be a pretty good resolution (we use 640px by 360 px so at least as big as that) and if you include the day of the reading in the picture then make sure you send it to us a good few days before that reading, so we have time to include it in that day’s post! We’ll credit all photographers!
