Boldness

¹²  Therefore, having such a hope, we use great boldness.
¹³  ⌊We are⌋ not like Moses, who used to put a veil over his face so that the Israelites could not stare at the the end of what was fading away, 

2 Corinthians 3:12-13 (HCSB)

Would you characterize your expression of faith as bold or timid?  For most Christ followers if we are honest with ourselves would need to say we are more timid about our faith than bold.  I love the Old Testament illustration the Apostle Paul uses to encourage us to be bold.  Moses would go up on the mountain before the presence of Yahweh.  When he would come back down the people were afraid because his face glowed from his time in the presence of the glory of God.  First of all what an awesome testimony!  Do people know we have been with Jesus because we have a "glow" after being in His presence?  Second, why would we hide it? 

I wonder why Moses hid the residue of the glory of God that was on him?  Did they threaten him?  Was it an annoyance or a distraction?  Maybe he just tired of hearing their complaints?  Why do we hide our faith from others?  Paul said, "we are not like Moses" who hid the effect of God in His life.  We should shine boldly, because we have a hope in Jesus that needs to be seen.

Today, think about your faith.  Are you hiding it or letting it shine boldly?  We should shine the hope boldly till He calls us home!

Just Enough

Then the LORD said to Moses, “I am going to rain bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. This way I will test them to see whether or not they will follow My instructions. 

Exodus 16:4 (HCSB) 

In my journey there seems to be two truths that I have found to be true from my experience but it never dawned on me that we see it too in Scripture.  I have always known and it has always been clear from Scripture, God will provide for His people.  That I have known for a long time.  God has provided what we needed throughout my life and ministry.  Sometimes not without a struggle but He has always provided.

I and others have often joked that God always provides, never early and always just on time.  My experience also tells me that God always gives us just enough but rarely extra.  While this is a truth I have known to be true by experience, this morning I saw it illustrated so clearly in the Word.  

God would provide for Israel in the wilderness.  But they had to wait for it each morning and could only gather "just enough" for that day.  It was meant to be an exercise of faith.  What a great picture of our faithful and consistent God.  Why do we struggle with this?  Because deep down we are not trusting God to be faithful and consistent.  At this very moment there are needs that I am "concerned" about.  I am worried and stressed about where and how God will help us with this need.  He is testing and teaching us to wait because He will provide at the right time and with just the right supply.

It is also true that we have a part in it all too.  The Israelite had to be faithful and obedient and go out and the morning and get the manna on the ground.  It required obedience and stewardship.  Our needs being meet by God also require our Obedience and stewardship.

So as we walk through this journey a Christ follower, let us trust Him in obedience and with stewardship to meet our every need.