FEBRUARY 3, 2017

“Grace doesn't depend on suffering to exist, but where there is suffering you will find grace in many facets and colors.” 
― William Paul Young, The Shack

EXODUS 31-33

7Now Moses used to take a tent and pitch it outside the camp some distance away, calling it the “tent of meeting.” Anyone inquiring of the Lord would go to the tent of meeting outside the camp. 8And whenever Moses went out to the tent, all the people rose and stood at the entrances to their tents, watching Moses until he entered the tent. 9As Moses went into the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and stay at the entrance, while the Lord spoke with Moses. 10Whenever the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance to the tent, they all stood and worshiped, each at the entrance to their tent. 11The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent.(33:7-11)

MATTHEW 22:23-46

34Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. 35One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

37Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’^c 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’^d 40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

JOURNAL 

Yesterday was a tough word and as tough as God is...scripture is just as full of his compassion, gentleness and understanding. Even though God is furious with the Israelites for making a golden calf...he continually engages Moses in a relationship, in conversation. He allows Moses to discuss his fears and his struggles and God actually appeases and changes his initial punishment. 

This is the relational aspect that Jesus addresses and affirms with the Pharisees. God just wants our heart...and he wants us to love others with the same love. God has a standard of perfection but a heart of Love...often it seems that these two could not be reconciled in the same being. Yet that is the miracle and grace of God. 

10And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

1 PETER 5:10-11