Meditation

Meditation for 05/22/2019

“It will be on Aaron’s forehead, and he will bear the guilt involved in the sacred gifts the Israelites consecrate, whatever their gifts may be. It will be on Aaron’s forehead continually so that they will be acceptable to the Lord.” (Exodus 28:38)

Atonement is one of the great biblical words used to describe the taking away of sin. God provided the high priest a symbol to wear reminding him of his duty to bear the guilt of the people so God would accept them.

God has always taken the initiative to cover our sins and guilt. He provides a way to make us at one with Him. This symbol that Aaron wore, though a reminder for him, was probably also a reminder of others as well.

PRAYER FOR THE DAY:

Abba, even before we knew we needed Your protection, mercy, and forgiveness, You provided it for us in abundance. Let us always remember the lengths that You have gone for us, that we might enjoy our relationship with You. Amen

THOUGHT OF THE DAY:

“Do you want more out of life than simply existing? Call upon the One who will take us to new heights than we ever thought possible.”

KNOWING GOD:

“By this, then will Jacob’s guilt be atoned for, and this will be the full fruitage of the removal of his sin. When he makes all the altar stones to be like chalk stones crushed to pieces, no Asherah poles or incense altars will be left standing.” (Isaiah 27:9)

Atonement by personal intercession was the only way Moses saw to restore relationships between God and Israel, who had chose an idol rather than God. No other way of atonement could deal with rejection of God. Moses was willing to sacrifice His relationship with God to restore the relationship with the people. This foreshadows the once and for all atonement Jesus made by sacrificing His own sinless life on the cross (Exodus 32:30-32). Jacob’s guilt could be atoned for by crushing to pieces and utterly destroying the altars of the goddess Asherah. God’s atonement for sin requires the forsaking of idolatry. Clear?

I AM:

Salvation, Atonement: (Revelation12:4)

God’s people can overcome the devil through the atoning death of Christ on the cross. If we can testify that Christ covered our sins, we can overcome all evil, sin, and darkness. Just think beloved, our testimony for Christ not only strengthens others and wins people to our lord, it even defeats Satan, ‘the accuser of our brothers’ (verse 10). In the power of Christ’s death on the cross, Satan was disarmed. Now we can defeat him through Christ’s victory and by the word of our testimony if we will totally give our lives to our Lord, even unto death.

Second Thought of the Day:

“Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew20:28)

Note the phrase, “and to give his life as a ransom for many.” It doesn’t say for all, even though it is offered to all. Some will reject the offer as they serve gods of power, money, worldly things, which will not last.

Jesus knew His mission centered on providing salvation for all who would accept it in faith. To do this, He had to die as the ransom price to redeem us from slavery to sin and death. Service and salvation, not power and prestige, were His goals.