“You Yourselves Have Seen”

“On the third new moon after the people of Israel had gone out of the land of Egypt,.. they came into the wilderness of Sinai…  There Israel encamped before the mountain, while Moses went up to God. The Lord called to him out of the mountain, saying, ‘Thus you shall… tell the people of Israel: “You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples..; and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation…”‘

“On the morning of the third day there were thunders and lightnings and a thick cloud on the mountain and a very loud trumpet blast, so that all the people in the camp trembled. Then Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they took their stand at the foot of the mountain. Mount Sinai was wrapped in smoke because the Lord had descended on it in fire.., and the whole mountain trembled greatly… Moses spoke, and God answered him in thunder. The Lord came down on Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain… and called Moses.., and Moses went up.” Exodus 19:1-6,16-20

Through Moses His servant the Lord had worked mighty deeds and had them recorded in order to make Himself known. They spoke often of what He had done and would do. If Israel’s faith, obedience, and identity as His people were to grow, they must remember what they had seen and carry the wonder forward. (Exodus 14:19-31; 16:12; 20:20-24)

Considering these holy interactions, are we alert to God’s deeds? The flurry of urgent demands and temporal choices is a constant tease to our senses. Eyes dart and distract from gazing at the wonders God displays. Our busyness can trick us into thinking we are the ones achieving when it is the Almighty who gives talent, opportunity, and supply. He is constantly doing marvelous things! (Psalm 98:1-2)

Do we ask for spiritual sight to recognize His hand? Are we delighting in His faithfulness in the turning days, His light in the rising sun, His power to uphold the stars? Do we look for His creativity in diverse people, His pattern of patience in a budding bloom, His sense of delight at the color and shapes of flora and fauna?

How has He worked deliverance, comfort, enlightenment in our day to day, or over years? Where has He met us in prayer with encouragement to persevere, then answered in a way that brought us to our knees in wonder and praise? What new insight, confidence, or hope has He given for a task or responsibility? How has He enriched our lives by family members, pastors, professors, friends? What has He accomplished in and through us in our assigned work?

As we note these answers, we should be thanking Him, praising Him, finding in Him strength to obey and endure. What we have seen carries us into the unseen with hope and expectation that He constantly works on our behalf according to His will. He does not change like shifting shadows. He is the same yesterday today and forever. He finishes what He’s begun. (Isaiah 14:24; Romans 8:28-31; Philippians 1:6)

Lord, sharpen my spiritual sight to see You in all things, then to praise, trust, and obey.