Doyle Smith Daily

Leviticus 6:4-6 (ESV) Originally published 05/09/2015 04/16/2015 - The people of Israel asked Aaron to make gods for them because Moses had been gone to meet with God too long in their minds, so Aaron told them to bring him their gold. "And he received the gold from their hand and fashioned it with a graving tool and made a golden calf." But when Moses confronted Aaron about the idols, Aaron blamed the people because they demanded idols. Aaron explained: "So I said to them, 'let any who have gold take it off.' So they gave it to me, and I threw it into the fire, and out came this calf'" Exodus 32:4,24 (ESV). Our human nature wants to blame someone else for our sin. "I lost my temper because of what you said." Lord, give me the integrity to accept full responsibility for the sins I commit today.

 Leviticus 5:27-19 (ESV) Originally published 05/08/2015  Everyone acts contrary to what God has told us to do. "If anyone sins, doing any of the things that by the LORD'S commandments ought not to be done, though he did not know it, then realizes his guilt he shall bear his iniquity. He shall bring to the priest a ram without blemish out of the flock, or its equivalent for guilt offering, and the priest shall make atonement for him for the mistake that he made unintentionally, and he shall be forgiven. It is a guilt offering; he has indeed incurred guilt before the LORD" Leviticus 5:17-19 (ESV). For the Israelites getting peace with God was complicated. Now we can confess our sins to God and receive forgiveness because Jesus was our sacrifice; Jesus paid it all. Lord, though it is simple for me to receive forgiveness, remind me how serious my sin really is and what my forgiveness has cost you. Your forgiveness is overwhelming.

 Leviticus 4:27-29 (ESV) Originally published 05/07/2013 .  "If anyone of the common people sins unintentionally in doing any one of the things that by the LORD'S commandments ought not to be done, and realizes his guilt, or the sin which he has committed is made known to him, he shall bring for his offering a goat, a female without blemish, for his sin which he has committed. And he shall lay his hand on the head of the sin offering and kill the sin offering in the place of the burnt offering" Leviticus 4:27-29 (ESV). Even unintentional disobedience is serious to God, and the person who sinned was to put their hand on the head of the animal to symbolize that the sinner should die because of their sin. Lord, help me to be as offended by my disobedience to you as you are offended by it, even if it is unintentional. As I ask for forgiveness, remind me that my forgiveness cost you your life.

 Leviticus 1:3 (ESV) Originally published 05/06/2015   The LORD gave clear instructions as to what he would accept as an offering of worship. "If the offering is a burnt offering of livestock from the herd, he shall offer a male without blemish" Leviticus 1:3 (ESV). God is telling us that worship is not for our enjoyment, but a sacrifice. He told the people of Israel if they were going to give a burnt offering, to look over their herds and the one animal that they value most and would least want to give, give  that one to him. Worship, by its nature, must involve sacrifice and self-denial. Lord, help me to give you whatever you ask of me today. Time is my life, so remind me that my time belongs to you, and not to do what I enjoy, but to do first what you tell me to do

 Exodus 36:2,3,5(ESV) Originally published 05/05/2015  God told his people to build the tabernacle. "And Moses called Bezalel and Oholliab and every craftsman  in whose mind the LORD had put skill, everyone whose heart stirred him up to come to do the work. And they received from Moses all the contribution that the people of Israel had brought for doing the work on the sanctuary . The craftsmen) said to Moses, 'The people bring much more than enough for doing the work that the LORD has commanded us to do'" Exodus 36:2,3,5 (ESV). God never asks  us or his church to do something that he does not provide more than we need to do what he has asked. Lord, I needed this reminder since I feel so overwhelmed with what must be done today. Help me not to waste a minute.

 Exodus 35:21 (ESV) Originally published 05/04.2015 God told the people of Israel to build a tabernacle, so Moses told them the things they would need to build it. "And the people came, everyone whose heart stirred him, and everyone whose spirit moved him, and brought the LORD's  contribution to be used for the tent of meeting, and for all the service and for  the holy garments" Exodus 35:21 (ESV). God could have said a word and the tabernacle would have been made, but he wants to include his people in what he is doing. He wants us to give what he wants from us with "stirred hearts" and "moved spirits." Lord, I feel honored and have great joy in giving you the time and resources that you ask of me because I owe you far more than I could ever give.

 Exodus 34:34-35 (ESV) Originally published 05/02/2015  "Whenever Moses went in before the LORD to speak with him, he would remove the veil, until he came out. And when he came out and told the people of Israel what he was commanded, the people of Israel would see the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses’ face was shining. And Moses would put the veil over his face again, until he went in to speak with him" Exodus 34:34-35 (ESV). This is a great example of what prayer is. When we pray, we cannot hide ourselves from God because he sees us for who we are and knows what we have done. There is no secret from God. And when we have been in real conversation with God, we cannot hide that from people. When we tell people what God wants us to tell them, they know we have been with God. Lord, you have exposed my failures and weakness already today; please forgive me and give me the strength I do not have. I ask that you give me your words for those to whom I must speak.

 Exodus 34:29 (ESV) Originally published 05/01/2015 "When Moses came down from Mount Sinai, with the two tablets of the testimony in his hand as he came down from the mountain, Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God" Exodus 34:29 (ESV). Lord, May all I do and say today be marked by the fact that I am talking to you. Guide my choices, thoughts, and what I say that it would reflect you and your holiness.

 Exodus 34:23-24 (ESV) Originally published 04/30/2015 Obedience to God requires trust because it appears dangerous "Three times in the year shall all your males appear before the LORD God, the God of Israel.  For I will cast out nations before you and enlarge your borders; no one shall covert your land, when you go up to appear before the LORD your God three times" Exodus 34:23-24 (ESV). God promised to give them land which was their wealth and then required every male to leave their land or wealth and be gone for days with no police or army to protect what they owned to travel to Jerusalem to worship him. All their enemies knew they were gone on these times of the year. Lord, often when I know that you want me to do something, I immediately think of something bad that could happen if I obey you. Give me the trust in you to obey in spite of  the fears that I have.

 Exodus 34:21 (ESV) Originally published 04/29/2015 God gave his people instructions about how they were to live when they were given the land of Canaan. "Six days you shall work, but on the seventh day you shall rest. In plowing time and in harvest you shall rest" Exodus 34:21(ESV). God knew that if his people didn't give him authority over their time, then he did not have authority over them. Lord, guide me as I serve you today. Help me do the work you have given me and to rest as I should. Give me your message to those who come to prayer meeting, and alert me when I am wasting time. I want to be a steward of the time you have given me.

 Exodus 34:12 (ESV) Originally published 04/28/2015 This was God's warning to his people when they came to live in a land populated by people who did not live in obedience to him. "Take care, lest you make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land to which you go, lest it become a snare in your midst" Exodus 34:12 (ESV). God did not want his people to want to fit into this culture which surrounded them, but to live and think like God told them to live and think. Lord, it is hard to live in a culture that does not honor you and not be influenced by it. Reveal to me any area of my values or lifestyle that are contrary to your will. I want to hate the things you hate and love the things that you love.

 Exodus 34:10 (ESV) Originally published 04/27/2015 This is God's plan for the church. "And he said, 'Behold, I am making a covenant. Before all your people I will do marvels, such as have not been created in all the earth or in any nation. And all the people among whom you are shall see the work of the LORD, for it is an awesome thing that I will do with you'" Exodus 34:10 (ESV). God's plan is to take ordinary people, joined together in following him, and do things among them and through them that will amaze the world around them. The church is the medium through which God wants to show his greatness. Lord, help  me to be submissive and obedient so that I would not hinder the awesome things that you want to do through your church.

 Exodus 34:6-9 (ESV) Originally published 04.24.2015 Moses went up the mountain and the LORD revealed himself to Moses. "The LORD passed before him and proclaimed, 'The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children's children to the third and the fourth generation. And Moses quickly bowed his head toward the earth and worshiped. And he said, 'If now I have found favor in your sight, O lord, please let the Lord go in the midst of us, for it is a stiff-necked people, and pardon our iniquity and our sin and take us for your inheritance'" Exodus 34:6-9 (ESV). Moses realized who God was and he worshiped with no music or sermon. He worshiped by acknowledging the greatness of God, by asking for forgiveness for ...

 Exodus 34:1(ESV) Originally  . published 04/23/1015   Moses smashed the first copy of the 10 commandments because of his anger at the people of Israel who were worshiping the golden calf. "The LORD said to Moses, 'Cut for yourself two tablets of stone like the first, and I will write on the tablets the words that were on the first tablets, which you broke’" Exodus 34:1 (ESV). God didn't need Moses to make the stone tablets because God could have provided them with the commands already on them. Often when God wants to do something he demands us to participate, or he will not do it. We have the 10 commandments because Moses worked hard to prepare the tablets. Lord, remind me that I have a part in what you want to do in this world. You have told me that you want to speak to someone through me. I will try to do this today.

 Exodus 33:15-17 (ESV) Originally published 04/22/2015  God had told Moses to take the people of Israel to the land he had promised, but he was so upset with them that he would not be among them. "And he (Moses) said to him, (God) 'If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here. For how shall it be known that I have found favor in your sight, I and your people?' Is it not in your going with us, so that we are distinct, I and your people from every other people on the face of the earth?' And the LORD said to Moses, 'this very thing that you have spoken I will do, for you have found favor in my sight, and I know you by name'" Exodus 33:15-17 (ESV). God changed his mind as the result of Moses’ prayer because he knew Moses' name, which means he knew Moses' motive and integrity. Lord, I cannot fool you. You know me better than I know myself. Reveal my real character, motives, and flaws that I might know how to pray. Do not let me foo...

 Exodus 33:9-11 (ESV) Originally published 04/21/2015  God did not communicate directly to the people of Israel, but he did with Moses when he went into the "tent of meeting." “When Moses entered the tent, the pillar of cloud would descend and stand at the entrance of the tent, and the LORD would speak with Moses. And when all the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance of the tent, all the people would rise up and worship, each at his tent door. Thus the LORD used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend" Exodus 33:9-11 (ESV). Lord, what a wonderful gift your Holy Spirit is, to be with your children every minute of the day. You have blessed us beyond what you did for Moses. Remind me to have a running conversation with you from the time I wake up until I go to sleep. I want to discuss every event of my life today with you and experience your wisdom and guidance

 Exodus 33:1-3 (ESV) Originally published 04/20/2015 This is a different picture of God than we normally see. "The LORD said to Moses, 'Depart; go up from here, you and the people whom you have brought up out of the land of Egypt, to the land of which I swore to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, saying, 'To your offspring I will give it.' I will send an angel before you, and I will drive out the Canaanites, the Amorites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. Go up to a land flowing with milk and honey; but I will not go up among you, lest I consume you on the way, for you are a stiff-necked people'" Exodus 33:1-3 (ESV). God still was going to do for Israel what he promised, even though he had lost his patience with them. Lord, it is comforting to know that you keep your promises, even when you are frustrated with your people. I get frustrated with myself, and I imagine that you also get frustrated with me. Help me not to be stubborn and resist...

 Exodus 32:30-33 (ESV) Originally published 04/18/2015 The people of Israel gave credit to a piece of metal for their deliverance from slavery instead of recognizing what God did for them. Three thousand were killed as a result. "The next day Moses said to the people, 'You have sinned a great sin. And now I will go up to the LORD; perhaps I can make atonement for your sin.' So Moses returned to the LORD and said, 'Alas, this people has sinned a great sin. They have made for themselves gods of gold. But now, if you will forgive their sin---but if not, please blot me out of your book that you have written' But the LORD said to Moses, 'Whoever has sinned against me, I will blot out of my book'" Exodus 32:30-33 (ESV) . Moses could not confess the sins of the people ; each of us has to confess our own sin. God alone determines who is in his book. Lord, you alone can forgive sin. The moment I think, say or do something that is contrary to what you want, sh...

Exodus 32:26-28a (ESV) Originally published 04/17/2015   “The people of Israel gave credit for what God did to a piece of metal. We know God to be patient, just, loving, compassionate, and forgiving. At the same time he cannot allow sin to go unpunished whatever the cost. "...then Moses stood on the gate of the camp and said, 'Who is on the LORD's side? Come to me.' And all the sons of Levi gathered around him. And he said to them, 'Thus says the LORD God of Israel, 'Put your sword on your side each of you, and go to and fro from gate to gate throughout the camp, and each of you kill his brother and his companion and his neighbor.' And the sons of Levi did according to the word of Moses..." Exodus 32:26-28a (ESV). A deadly spiritual plague had to be eliminated before it destroyed the people of Israel. God will do whatever it takes to save us from sin, even to die on the cross. Lord, remind me constantly how deadly rebellion against you really is, and g...

 Exodus 32:4.24 (ESV) Originally published 04/16/2015 he people of Israel asked Aaron to make gods for them because Moses had been gone to meet with God too long in their minds, so Aaron told them to bring him their gold. "And he received the gold from their hand and fashioned it with a graving tool and made a golden calf." But when Moses confronted Aaron about the idols, Aaron blamed the people because they demanded idols. Aaron explained: "So I said to them, 'let any who have gold take it off.' So they gave it to me, and I threw it into the fire, and out came this calf'" Exodus 32:4,24 (ESV). Our human nature wants to blame someone else for our sin. "I lost my temper because of what you said." Lord, give me the integrity to accept full responsibility for the sins I commit today.

 Exodus 32:12-14 (ESV) Originally published 04/15/2013 The Lord had miraculously delivered the Israelites and they gave all the credit to pieces of metal. God was so angry that he decided to destroy them and start over with Moses. But Moses talked with God: "Turn from your burning anger and relent from this disaster against your people. Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, your servants, to whom you swore by your own self, and said to them. 'I will multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have promised I will give to your offspring, and they shall inherit it forever.'" And the LORD relented from the disaster that he had spoken of bringing on his people" Exodus 32:12-14 (ESV). God does respond to the prayers of those who are following him. Lord, it is staggering to think that the ruler of the universe would listen and respond to the conversation of a human.

 Exodus 32:9-12 (ESV) Originally published 04/14/2015 While God was giving Moses the 10 commandments, the people of Israel made an idol and worshiped it instead of God. "And the LORD said to Moses, 'I have seen this people, and behold, it is a stiff-necked people. Now, therefore let me alone, that my wrath may burn hot against them and I may consume them, in order that I may make a great nation of you.' But Moses implored the LORD his God and said, 'O LORD, why does your wrath burn hot against your people, whom you have brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand? Why should the Egyptians say, 'With evil intent did he bring them out, to kill them in the mountains and to consume them from the face of the earth?'" Exodus 32:9-12 (ESV). Moses was to be the new Abraham, but he was more concerned with the people of Israel and with the reputation of God than his own fame or success. Lord, in my conversation with you today, you have t...

 Exodus 32:7-14 (ESV) Originally published 04/13/2015  God will accomplish his goal even if he has to change his plans. "And the LORD said to Moses, 'Go down (from the mountain), for your people, whom you brought up out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves. They have turned aside quickly out of the way that I commanded them. They have made for themselves a golden calf and have worshiped it and sacrificed to it and said, 'These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!' And the LORD said to Moses, 'I have seen this people, and behold, it is a stiff-necked people. Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may burn hot against them and I may consume them, in order that I may make a great nation of you'" Exodus 32:7-14 (ESV). God was ready to change his plans and make Moses the sole survivor and from him fulfill his promise to Abraham. Lord, I know that you will do your work with or without me. I want to be a part of what...