Today’s Reading:
Psalm 19
Exodus 19:16-25
Mark 9:2-8
Contrary to the popular belief of other nations that gods live on the mountains, it is clearly stated in our second passage that God descended upon Mount Sinai from still some higher position in the heavens (Ex. 19:20). God in His mightiness displays His glory both spiritually and physically in several ways. In the first reading today (Ps. 19:1), He reveals Himself through the beauty of His creation, as an artist is known by his work. The heavens reveal His glory by His weightiness. His glory is His signature in His world, His revelation to His creation, the physical manifestation of His divine presence, and the external form of His majesty, pre-eminence, and dignity. Everyone can see the channel of His revelation and so cannot miss the awesomeness of our God who by His presence makes a difference and wields an incomparable influence of one who ultimately determines events and makes decisions in the world, overall. The beauty of creation should lead us to worship the Creator and not the creation itself (Rom. 1:20). Glory is His essential possession and nature, which we must all realise and to which we must respond in confession, in worship, and praise of Him.
In the second reading (Ex. 19:16-25), the display of His power is with a purpose (v. 9; 20:20). – the thunder, lightning, trumpet, thick cloud, smoke, fire, trembling mountain, and distinct voice – is all to inspire awe at His holy presence. Yet all these did not show a fixed appearance that could be used to make an image of worship. To enforce the sacredness of God, Moses repeatedly warned the people not to break through in case they would want to see the Lord and perish (v.21, 24). Approaching God should be taken seriously. The people purified themselves for three days before they could approach the holy God. When Isaiah had the privilege to see a glimpse of the holiness of God, he felt unworthy of the vision (Isa. 6:5). He was painfully aware of his uncleanliness (sinfulness).
In essence, we all must be mindful of the holiness of God not only when we gather in fellowship of worship. A trend today is our comedians entertain by making jest of the holiness of God, even in the gathering of Christians and we all laugh. Going around social media is a comedian making a mockery of the skull of Christ. The Jewish writers of the Gospel do not make mention of the name of God at all. Even then we come to worship Him, we are restless, doing one thing or the other, being distracted and so on. If you are reading this and you know you are guilty of this, please repent and stop it. As our God is pleasant, He is also a consuming fire. No one can stand His wrath. Let us learn to approach the presence of God with cleanliness and awe.
OLUFUNMILAYO TITILOLA ADEKUSIBE
To surrender your life to Christ, say this prayer aloud:
Father, I acknowledge my sin against You. I repent and ask for forgiveness, in the name of Jesus. I believe and surrender to the Lordship of Jesus. By the power of Your Holy Spirit, take control of my heart, keep me from all evil, and lead me in Your path of righteousness. Thank You, Lord!
If you said the above short prayer, Congratulations! Prayerfully look for a living church and report to the resident reverend, pastor or priest, as the case may be.
Prayer:
Thank you, God, because You showed graciousness and steadfast loving kindness to me and to thousands of generations of those who love You, and keep Your commandments.
Lord, I know that You are a jealous God, and I declare that I will not worship nor serve anyone or anything but You, help me, in Jesus' name.
O God let me see You before I see anything else. More important than anything else, may a vision of You be predominant in my life, in Jesus' name.
Deliver me from judgment feeling, from a narrow eye, from a rigid spirit. Let me see You always in all that I do or think, in Jesus' name.
Thank you for breaking the yoke of my burden and the staff on my shoulders, in Jesus' name.
Thank you for breaking the rod of my oppressors as at the battle of Mediante’s, in Jesus' name.
Father, visit Christian homes with Your love and mercy, unite the husband, the wife and the children to build a god-fearing family to the glory of Your name, in Jesus' name.
O Lord, rescue the perishing, care for the dying, release those in prison unjustly, save those in captivity, deliver those in bondage, and transform their lives, in Jesus' name.
We commit the leaders of the Church to Your care, Lord, grant them the fear of You in all their decisions, in Jesus' name.
We tear apart and command the fire of God upon every strange altar, and shrines strengthening our leaders in places of authority to squander government resources, and use their position to steal, and amass wealth for themselves, in Jesus' name.
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