Doyle Smith Daily

 Exodus 32:4 (ESV) Originally published 04/11/2015 God had delivered Israel from slavery with powerful miracles, parted the Red Sea, made poison water drinkable, made water come from a rock, and bread appear every morning to eat. Now Aaron makes them an idol out of gold: "And they said. 'These are the gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!'" Exodus 32:4 (ESV). How could they think that these metal objects could have done all these miraculous things? Lord, Do I fail to recognize all that you do in my life? Do I take credit for what you do? Do I take for granted your guidance, provision, and your protection without recognizing that you are keeping your promises to me? I know that I owe everything to you, so remind me that everything I am and have is a gift from you.

 Exodus 32:2,4 (ESV) Originally published 04/10/2015  Moses protested that he was not a good speaker, so God told him to get his brother Aaron to speak for him with Pharaoh. Aaron was number one for a while, then slowly Moses began to speak for God and Aaron was number two. Now Moses went up on the mountain to speak with God and Aaron was in charge. Moses was gone for so long the people wanted gods like the Egyptians had. "So Aaron said to them, 'Take off the rings of gold that are in the ears of your wives, your sons, and your daughters, and bring them to me...And he received the gold from their hand and fashioned it with a graving tool and made them a golden calf" Exodus 32:2,4 ((ESV). One of Satan's most powerful tools to get us to compromise our beliefs and behavior is to please people instead of pleasing God. Lord, help me to love and care for people while doing it to please you. Alert me if I begin to think more about pleasing people than obeying you.

 Exodus 32:1 (ESV) Originally published 04/09/2015 Moses went up to the mountain to get instructions from God for the people of Israel. "When the people saw that Moses delayed to come down from the mountain, the people gathered themselves together to Aaron and said to him, 'Up, make us gods who shall go before us.  As for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him'" Exodus 32:1 (ESV). In spite all that God had done for them (crossing the Red Sea on dry ground) they wanted God to do what they wanted when they wanted it instead of doing what God had told them. Lord, help me to be obedient and submissive to you even though things are not working out as I want or as quickly as I want. Remind me to trust your promises, not what I see happening right now.

 Exodus 31:1-5 (ESV) Originally published 04/08/2015  God told the people of Israel to build the Tabernacle. "The LORD said to Moses. 'See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with ability and intelligence, with knowledge and all craftsmanship, to devise artistic designs, to work in gold, silver, and bronze, in cutting stones for setting, and in carving wood, to work in every craft'" Exodus 31:1-5 (ESV). Before God told Israel to build the Tabernacle he had already given someone the Holy Spirit ability to do the work that needed to be done. Lord, show me, as you did Moses, every person you have given our church to do the work that needs to be done. Show me what you have given me to do, empowered me to do it, and stop me when I start trying to do the work that you have given to someone else.

 Exodus 22:29 (ESV) Originally published 04/06/2015 The people of Israel were farmers. They had no grocery stores, so they lived off of the crops they grew. By the time the new crops were planted the food they were eating was almost a year old and very little was left. They waited eagerly for the harvest, and if it was ruined, they would have nothing for a year. They would love to eat the first of the fresh crop. This was God's command: "You shall not delay to offer from the fullness of your harvest and from the outflow of your presses" Exodus 22:29 (ESV). The temptation was to eat the very first of the new food, then give God his portion from what was left; after all, God really did not eat it or need it. God's command was about putting him first and trusting him. Lord, today I make what you want from me to be my first priority of time, money and schedule. I want to honor you with all I have and in all I do

 Exodus 23:4-5 (ESV) Originally published 04/04/2015  "If you meet your enemy's ox or his donkey going astray, you shall bring it back to him. If you see the donkey of one who hates you lying down under its burden, you shall refrain from leaving him with it: you shall rescue it with him" Exodus 23:4-5 (ESV). The test of whether or not God is our Lord is not how we treat those who are our friends but how we treat our enemies and those who hate us. Lord, guide me to serve everyone I meet today as if they were you, regardless of how they treat me.

 Exodus 22:28 (ESV) Originally published 04/03/2015 One of God's commands: "You shall not revile God, nor curse a ruler of your people" Exodus 22:28 (ESV). To revile God is to be critical of him or to badmouth him, and since all leaders are accountable to God, we are to respect their position and to submit to them and not to want bad things to happen to them. Love is sell-denying sacrificial service to someone. To love God is to submit and to serve him, and to love other people is to submit and to serve them. We are to do this with God and the people he has placed in leadership roles. Lord, help me to submit and serve everyone that I interact with today, and deliver me from the sin of irritation.

 Exodus 22:25 (RSV) Originally published 04/02/2015 How to help a follower of God who is poor: "If you lend money to any of my people with you who is poor, you shall not be like a moneylender to him, and you shall not exact interest from him. If ever you take your neighbor's cloak in pledge, you shall return it to him before the sun goes down, for that is his only covering, and it is his cloak for his body; in what else shall he sleep? And if he cries to me, I will hear, for I am compassionate" Exodus 22:25 (EV). God encourages those who have money to be compassionate by not profiting from the need of a brother. He requires those who borrow to be responsible to repay what they borrow so they retain their dignity and self-respect. Both parties have gained spiritually in serving God. Lord, help me be responsible with what you have given me and to show respect and compassion for everyone I meet today.

 Exodus 22:21-24 (ESV) Originally published 04/01/2015 God is the protector of those who cannot help themselves if they will call on him "You shall not wrong a sojourner or oppress him, for you were sojourners in the land o Egypt. You shall not mistreat any widow or fatherless child. If you do mistreat them, and they cry out to me, I will surely hear their cry, and my wrath will burn, and I will kill you with the sword, and your wives shall become widows and your children fatherless” Exodus.22:21-24 (ESV). Capital punishment for taking advantage of aliens and orphans: this is how much God values people who are made in his image. Lord, remind me that every person I meet today is precious to you no matter how our society sees them. Remind me to treat them as I would treat you.

 Exodus 22:1 (ESV) Originally published 03/26/2015 This is God's idea of justice: "If a man steals an ox or a sheep, and kills it or sells it, he shall repay five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep" Exodus 22:1 (ESV). The offender is not put in jail, but has to make it right with the one who is the victim.  God was more concerned with healing relationships than punishment, so there was no need for jails. The victim would actually benefit from the theft when the crime was solved. Lord, I am traveling today - remind me that my relationships with people I have to deal with are more important to you than my convenience, comfort, or plans. May every person I interact with feel that I care for them more than myself.

 Exodus 21: 33-34 (ESV) Originally published 03/25/2015 The laws that God gave the people of Israel made it clear that God's approval of them was based on treating others as they would want others to treat them. Example: "When a man opens a pit, or when a man digs a pit and does not cover it, and an ox or donkey falls into it, the owner of the pit shall make restoration. He shall give money to its owner, and the dead beast shall be his” Exodus 21: 33-34 (ESV). Who would think that digging a pit could be worship of God or a sin? Lord, I am worshiping you today by treating people the way you are treating me. May my worship of you be pure and holy.

 Exodus 17:8 (ESV) Originally published 03/24/2015 The people of Israel were following God's leadership. They had been without food and water and now this: "Then Amalek came and fought with Israel at Rephidim" Exodus 17:8 (ESV). Lord, when I am doing what you have told me to do and have a series of problems, it causes me to wonder if I am doing the right thing. Remind me of this story and remind me check to make sure I am obeying you and what I am doing is consistent with the Bible. I want to obey you no matter how hard it might be, and I don't want Satan to control my life with fear. 

 Exodus 17:4-6 (ESV) Originally published 03/23/2015 The people of Israel had no water for themselves or their animals. They would die without it. "'So Moses cried to the LORD, 'What shall I do with this people? They are almost ready to stone me.' And the LORD said to Moses, 'Pass on before the people, taking with you some of the elders of Israel, and take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock at Horeb, and you shall strike the rock, and water shall come out of it, and the people will drink.' And so Moses did, in the sight of the elders of Israel" Exodus 17:4-6. Lord, I am facing some situations that seem impossible to me. Show me what you want me to do and help me to live as if they were solved.

 Exodus 16:4; 17:7 (ESV) Originally posted 03/21/15 When we are trying to buy something, we test it to see if it does what it is supposed to do. This is also true in the spiritual world. “Then the LORD said to Moses, 'Behold I am about to rain bread from heaven for you, and the people shall go out and gather a day's portion every day, that I may test them whether they will walk in my law or not" Exodus 16:4 (ESV). The test was whether or not they would gather only enough for one day and trust that the next day God would provide. "And he called the name of the place Massah and Meribah, because of the quarreling of the people of Israel, and because they tested the LORD by saying, 'Is the Lord among us or not?'" Exodus17:7 (ESV) At Sinai God promised to provide for Israel, and Israel promised to do everything that God commanded. On this trip they were testing each other to see if each party would do what they promised. Our spiritual lives are a series of tes...

 Exodus 17:2-4 (ESV) Originally published 03/20/2013 God led the people of Israel to Rephidim, and they had no water. "Therefore the people quarreled with Moses and said, 'Give us water to drink.' And Moses said to them, 'Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test the LORD?' But the people thirsted there for water, and the people grumbled against Moses and said, ‘Why did you bring us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our livestock with thirst?' So Moses cried to the Lord, 'What shall I do with this people? They are almost ready to stone me'" Exodus 17:2-4 (ESV). God was going to provide for his people, but he waited for them to ask. When they needed water, they got mad at Moses, and Moses was mad at them. It was only as a last resort that Moses turned to God. Lord, when things are not as they should be and I start to complain, remind me to bring my problems to you first.

 Exodus 16:8 (ESV) Originally published 03/19/2015 Complaining can be a sin against God. "And Moses said, 'When the LORD gives you in the evening meat to eat and in the morning bread to the full, because the LORD has heard your grumbling that you grumble against him---what are we? Your grumbling is not against us but against the LORD'" Exodus 16:8 (ESV). If we criticize someone who is obeying God we are criticizing God, and if we are obeying God and someone criticizes us, we must not take it personally because they are criticizing God. If we are criticized, we must stop to make sure we are obeying God. If we are confident we are obeying God, then we ask him to forgive the critics because they are in trouble. Lord, help me to not criticize or complain about people who are working for you, but to ask you to help those that seem to me to be acting contrary to your will.

 Exodus 16:4 (ESV) Originally published 03/18/2015 God puts us in situations to reveal to us whether or not we trust him. The people of Israel were in the wilderness without food, and God used this situation to see if they trusted him. "Then the LORD said to Moses, 'Behold, I am about to rain bread from heaven for you and the people shall go out and gather a day's portion every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in my law or not'" Exodus 16:4 (ESV). The hungry people were told to gather only enough for one day and leave food to spoil when they had none for the next day. God tests every one of us by asking us to obey him when what he asks does not seem reasonable or even possible to us. Lord, I know that I fail these tests sometimes because the things you ask of me are in the areas where I feel inadequate and afraid. Make your will clear to me and help me to obey, despite of my fear of failure or embarrassment.

Exodus 16:3-4 (ESV) Originally published 03/17/2015   It was 2 1/2 months since they were slaves, and they had seen the whole Egyptian army swallowed in Red Sea and poisoned water made safe. Now they were complaining: "Would that we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the meat pots and ate bread to the full, for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.' Then the LORD said to Moses, 'Behold, I am about to rain bread from heaven for you,   . . . '" Exodus 16:3-4 (ESV). Lord, help me not to see my future based on my present circumstances and my ability, but on the promises you have made. Help me to live as if all your promises will be fulfilled.

 Exodus 15: 22-25 (ESV) Originally published 03/16/  2015 "Then Moses made Israel set out from the Red Sea, and they went into the wilderness of Shur. They went three days in the wilderness and found no water. When they came to Marah, they could not drink the water of Marah because it was bitter; therefore it was named Marah. And the people grumbled against Moses, saying, 'What shall we drink?'" Exodus 15:22-25 (ESV). Moses was a great hero in the destruction of the whole Egyptian army at the Red Sea. Then three days after they left, the people were complaining about his leadership. Lord, it is sometimes impossible to please you and to please the people around us. When that happens, please give me some help to know if I have obeyed you or misunderstood you.”

 Exodus 14:30-31 (ESV) Originally published 03/14/2015 "Thus the LORD saved Israel that day from the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. Israel saw the great power that the LORD used against the Egyptians, so the people feared the LORD, and they believed in the LORD and in his servant Moses" Exodus 14:30-31 (ESV). So the people of Israel won the battle not by fighting, but obeying God. Lord, I wonder how many "battles" I lose by fighting instead of obeying you. Give me the wisdom to know which "battles" you want me to fight and which ones you want me to let you fight.

 Exodus 14:17-18 (ESV) Originally published 03/12/2015  God wanted to rescue his people to keep his covenant promises to them, but he had another purpose: "I will get glory over Pharaoh and all his host, his chariots, and his horsemen. And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I have gotten glory over Pharaoh, his chariots, and his horsemen" Exodus 14:17-18 (ESV). Lord, it is clear that you help me to make good decisions, provide my needs, protect me and make me a positive influence to those around me, not just to help me, but that all who know me will see your glory and greatness. Show me how to tell people what you have done in my life without making me seem important, but that you would be seen as great, powerful, and loving.

 Exodus 14:15 (ESV) Originally published 02/11/2015 "The Lord said to Moses, 'Why do you cry to me? Tell the people of Israel to go forward'" Exodus 14:15 (ESV) God had already told them what they were to do, but they were still praying to him. So, he said "Quit praying and do what I told you to do." There is a time for prayer and a time for work.  Lord, sometimes it is easier to pray for people than it is to try to help them. I want to pray for people, but don't let me substitute prayer for doing what you have told me I need to do to help them.

 Exodus 14:16 (ESV) Originally published 02/10/2015  God's intention was to rescue the people of Israel from the oncoming army of Egypt. So, he said to Moses: "Lift up your staff, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, that the people of Israel may go through the sea on dry ground" Exodus14:16 (ESV), God could have done this without Moses or without him lifting his hands or staff. Moses was never able to do this again because Moses never parted the water, God did. I am not able to do the work of God, but he enables me to do what he tells me to do. God chooses to accomplish his work using people. Lord, make it clear to me what you want me to do, and help me to ignore Satan when he tries to stop me from obedience by reminding me of all my limitations and inadequacies. When I obey and you do wonderful things, remind me it was your power not mine at work

 Exodus 14:15 (ESV) Originally published 03/09/2015 The people of Israel were between the sea and the vast army of Egypt. Moses had already told them they were not to be afraid because they were to see the saving power of God that day. But they were still praying and crying out to God. "The Lord said to Moses, 'Why do you cry out to me? Tell the people of Israel to go forward" Exodus 14:15 (ESV). The water had not yet parted, but he told them to march toward the water as if it were not there. Lord, I know that you want me to talk to some people, but it is easier to pray for them than it is to risk talking to them. Forgive me for praying when I should be obeying. Give me faith to do what you tell me, even when it seems foolish to me.

 Exodus 14:15-16 (ESV) Originally published 03/07/2015 The people of Israel were angry because they had escaped slavery, but now the entire Egyptian army was baring down on them, and they thought they would die. "The LORD said to Moses, 'Why do you cry to me? Tell the people of Israel to go forward. Lift up your staff, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, that the people of Israel may go through the sea on dry ground'" Exodus 14:15-16 (ESV). God guided the people of Israel to this spot with a sea ahead of them, and he knew that the Egyptians had a change of heart and were going to come after them. Sometimes God leads us into difficult and even dangerous situations to show us his power to rescue us so that in our future we will have faith in him. Lord, help me to not get upset or angry when I am obeying you and I get into situations that seem disastrous, but to continue to trust that your wisdom and power will save me. 

 Exodus 14:13-14 (ESV) Originally published 03/06/2015  The Egyptians had a change of heart and they set out to bring the Israelites back to slavery. The entire army of the greatest army in the world at that time was within sight of the Israelites. "And Moses said to the people, 'Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent'" Exodus 14:13-14 (ESV). It is really hard to be silent when someone hurts me or offends me and to "turn the other cheek" instead of trying to get even or defend myself. Lord, give me the faith in you to allow you to fight my battles for me that I might experience your salvation instead of my conflict.