“Then the Lord told Moses, “Chisel out two stone tablets like the first ones. I will write on them the same words that were on the tablets you smashed. 2 Be ready in the morning to climb up Mount Sinai and present yourself to me on the top of the mountain. 3 No one else may come with you. In fact, no one is to appear anywhere on the mountain. Do not even let the flocks or herds graze near the mountain.” 4 So Moses chiseled out two tablets of stone like the first ones. Early in the morning he climbed Mount Sinai as the Lord had commanded him, and he carried the two stone tablets in his hands. 5 Then the Lord came down in a cloud and stood there with him; and he called out his own name, Yahweh. 6 The Lord passed in front of Moses, calling out, “Yahweh! The Lord! The God of compassion and mercy! I am slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness. 7 I lavish unfailing love to a thousand generations. I forgive iniquity, rebellion, and sin. But I do not excuse the guilty. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children and grand children; the entire family is affected—even children in the third and fourth generations. 8 Moses immediately threw himself to the ground and worshiped.” Exodus:34:1-8 NLT
Lord God of compassion and mercy,
Moses is off up the mountain again. And he has to chisel out two new tablets of stone with no electric tools or work bench. I wonder if he regretted smashing the first ones? But You patiently call him back up and when he puts in the effort to do it all again, You encouraging him. You are compassionate and merciful. Slow to anger and filled with love and faithfulness. Moses is reminded that You are God and if You can have mercy so can he. And he falls on the ground and worships. If You can have mercy on me – surely \I can have mercy on others? (Matthew 13:32,33).
We try things and they fail. For whatever reason. Sometimes we need to get over it and try again and sometimes we need to make sure we have not overstepped You, God. Sometimes we need retrace our steps to where we last heard You speak – and listen again. You are the great encourager. You forgive iniquity, rebellion and sin. The next verse is difficult – You do not excuse the guilty? Those who refuse to acknowledge You and see the error of their ways? We thank You, God that You come to us and do not pass by. And in Jesus You forgive us completely and leave no guilt whatsoever if we are repentant (Romans 8:1).
In Jesus name we pray, Amen
Worship Friday 21st February 2025
I love this song. It reminds me when others are on the mountain and I seem to be on flat land – that He will not pass me by, He is merely silent.
Pass me not, O gentle Saviour
Hear my humble cry
While on others thou art smiling
Do not pass me by
Let me at thy throne of mercy
Find a sweet relief
Kneeling there in deep contrition
Help my unbelief
Saviour, Saviour
Hear my humble cry
While on others thou art calling
Do not pass me by
Lyrics: Fanny Crosby
Verse not used in this recording . . .
Trusting only in Thy merit,
Would I seek Thy face,
Heal my wounded, broken spirit,
Save me by Thy grace.