Exodus 23:25
You shall worship the Lord your God, and he will bless your bread and your water. Exodus 23:25
An admonition went out to Israel to ensure that they did not worship the false gods of their neighbours. In the midst of this admonition they were advised to worship the true and living God and they were assured that his blessings would attend.
This admonition is valid for us in this day. In the first place, do not fall into idolatry by worshipping false gods. These include not only gods of wood and stone, but also material resources to which we may give more prominence than we do to our God.
An admonition went out to Israel to ensure that they did not worship the false gods of their neighbours. In the midst of this admonition they were advised to worship the true and living God and they were assured that his blessings would attend.
This admonition is valid for us in this day. In the first place, do not fall into idolatry by worshipping false gods. These include not only gods of wood and stone, but also material resources to which we may give more prominence than we do to our God.
Secondly, whilst you may not create false gods or worship other gods, this is not enough to satisfy our Lord’s admonition. It is vital also to ensure that you do worship the Lord Almighty. Worship is defined as “ascribing worth to a person or object”. We are called to ascribe worth to God. Surely, as we consider his gift of love in sending Jesus Christ into the world, and his provision of salvation in Christ’s death, we can see the need to ascribe worth to our Lord. We should therefore do things that constitute worship of such a marvellous God.
Thirdly, the goodness of God has not stopped with his gift of love and provision of salvation. In fact, he continues to provide perennially, taking care of basic needs like bread and water and going beyond. Now we are told that blessings will accrue to even the most basic of resources. Indeed, blessings will accrue to all things from GodÂ’s hand!
Prayer:
Remind us, O Lord, of the need to worship and praise you. And may our experience be as the songwriter’s: “the blessings come down as the praise goes up”. Amen.
Thirdly, the goodness of God has not stopped with his gift of love and provision of salvation. In fact, he continues to provide perennially, taking care of basic needs like bread and water and going beyond. Now we are told that blessings will accrue to even the most basic of resources. Indeed, blessings will accrue to all things from GodÂ’s hand!
Prayer:
Remind us, O Lord, of the need to worship and praise you. And may our experience be as the songwriter’s: “the blessings come down as the praise goes up”. Amen.
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