When He Speaks

Exodus 13:17 When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, "If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt." Let's think about this for a minute. He intentionally took them the 'easier' way. Well, no, not necessarily. He took them the way He needed to so they could see His glory. So they could trust Him as they walked across the dry ground. War would've been harder but being trapped against a wall of water wasn't exactly easy. However, the Red Sea was moveable in a way that a war among the Philistines was not. A real life aquarium would be much more awe inspiring and easily recognized as a miracle than the fear a war with a nation would invoke. Exodus 14:19 Then the angel of God, who had been traveling in front of Israel’s army, withdrew and went behind them. The pillar of cloud also moved from in front and stood behind them He is our rear guard....

There is so much to unpack in the story of Jonah. Even the first two chapters, all 26 total verses, have lots to process. This is what struck me today though. Jonah ran from his assignment to the Ninevites. He heard God's voice clear enough (Jonah 1:1-2) but intentionally packed his bags, bought a ticket, and went. the. other. way. God, of course, face palmed and shook His head and ultimately redirected him to where he was supposed to be in the first place. A loving father with His correction to the point Jonah finally gets the message and the fish spits him put on dry land. So much I could say here. Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time: “Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you.” Jonah 3:1‭-‬2 Jonah had to put feet to his message. He had to move to complete the assignment. He had to GO. He couldn't sit idly by and do nothing, he had to get up and move. Jonah obeyed the word of the Lord and went to Nineveh. Now Nineveh was a ver...

Matthew 26:14-16 Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?” So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver. From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over. Judas sought out those he knew were looking for his Master's death and offered his services. Knowingly. With intent. Willingly betraying the Jesus he'd served with all this time. On purpose. It wasn't accidental. It wasn't an oops. It was done because he saw opportunity. He saw a chance for the circumstances to benefit him. He was reading the room, he saw the unrest, he took the easy way out. Maybe to avoid the association, maybe just out of greed. Regardless of the specific motive, Judas received payment, a completed transaction, to hand over the Jesus that he'd dined with, slept with, traveled with, and watched perform miracle after miracle. Judas was one of the twelve, chosen to b...