My eyes flutter open at 5:35 am without an alarm, as usual. I dangle my feet off the side of my bed and stare at the covered window, trying to get a sense of what the weather is like, even though the darkness reveals nothing. My husband has already enjoyed coffee and breakfast in the pre-dawn silence, and now he quietly dresses for work while I ease onto the floor and make the bed before readying myself for the day.
Dressed and freshened up, I head down to the kitchen, turn the kettle on to boil water for tea, and make a sandwich for my husband’s lunch. We chat about the weather and how we slept and continue a conversation from yesterday. His lunch is packed, and he’s ready to go, so I kiss him quickly and tell him I love him as he leaves for work.
The water has boiled, so I pour some into my mug and carry it to my favorite spot in our home—the secondhand chair and footstool in the corner by my bookcase. I switch on the lamp, settle in, and take a sip of steaming jasmine tea. Now, I’m ready for the best part of my day.
I open my Bible to continue reading through my reading plan for this year. Over the past several days, I’ve read in the book of Exodus about God’s deliverance of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, his power and provision as he led them through the wilderness, and the law he established for his people. He detailed how they were to live and worship, and they committed to obey everything he had commanded.
Today’s reading—Exodus 32—is shocking. Immediately after ratifying God’s Covenant and declaring their obedience, the Israelites rebelled and broke the first two commandments in an egregious display of idol worship. I’ve read this account many times, yet today, I marvel again at the flagrancy of their defiance.
When I read about God’s intention to destroy the sinful people, I’m tempted to consider his wrathful response extreme. Yet, on the basis of his holiness and the covenant he had just established, his response is completely justified. He had every right to be furious, and his people undoubtedly deserved swift and harsh punishment.
But Moses interceded. He appealed to God’s grace, glory, and goodness, and God relented.
For a moment, my natural desire for justice is unsatisfied, disappointed by the mercy granted to such a rebellious people. It feels like they “got away with it.”
I reread Exodus 32:1–14 and reflect on the gospel connection in this passage. God’s mercy toward his people was because of who he is, not because of anything they may have done to deserve it. They definitely didn’t deserve it; they deserved judgment, punishment, death. But because God is merciful, he forgave them. As Moses interceded for an undeserving people, Jesus is our Advocate before God. Because Jesus offered himself on our behalf, God pardons our sins even though we don’t deserve it.
Thank you, Jesus, for saving me! Thank you, God, for your grace and mercy!
I continue reading and pause at Exodus 33:16. Moses states, “For your [God’s] presence among us sets your people and me apart from all other people on the earth.” This phrase is only part of the verse, but it’s profound, and I want to meditate on it further.
God’s presence with us is unique. Our God—our Creator, our King, our Judge—chooses to abide, dwell, stay with us. He is a personal, relational God. He made this clear from the very beginning when he sought the company of Adam and Eve in the Garden (Genesis 3:8–9). He continually demonstrated his desire for fellowship with us throughout the rest of the Bible, and most powerfully through Jesus’s death and resurrection (Romans 5:8; 1 John 1). Because Jesus paid for our sins, we can come boldly to God’s throne of grace and enjoy a thriving relationship with him (Hebrews 4:16). Because of Jesus, I am not alone. Immanuel, my God is with me (Matthew 1:23).
After finishing the scheduled reading for today, I flip forward to the Psalms. I like to pray through a Psalm each morning, and right now, my bookmark points to Psalm 46. I read the first two lines:
“God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1).
Again, I pause because I immediately notice a connection between this passage and Exodus 33:16—God’s presence with his people. God is with us—not as a security guard, ready to pounce the moment we do something wrong, but abundantly available to help us!
The clock reads 8:05. I should already be at my desk, starting on my work for today. The rest of Psalm 46 will still be here tomorrow morning, so I’ll revisit it then. But first, I take a few minutes to respond to God’s message to me today. I praise him for who he is and what he’s done. I thank him for his Word, the gospel, provision, protection, and help. Then I ask for his help with a few of the things troubling my heart this morning and finish my prayer by expressing gratitude for his constant presence with me now and always.
My heart is full, my spirit rejoices, and my mind is at peace as I switch off the lamp and savor the dregs of my tea. God is good, his Word is true, and he is always faithful.
