Exodus 15:22-27 – Listen For God’s Voice

Read Exodus 15:22-27

Am I the only one that wanted to slap those Israelites for complaining? Their memory of a fantastic rescue sure faded fast. But that’s normal, it? It seems we’re all programmed to want our way. As little children, we expect to be served. As we grow older we tend to navigate toward self-serving activities.

To give the Israelites a bit of a break, being thirsty could certainly lead me to be a bit grumpy. Physiologically, our bodies need water. Dehydration is also serious and can cause us to not act like ourselves. But wasn’t it cool how when Moses called on God the perfect solution was there! A piece of wood! Brilliant!

How soon they forgot. Coming off the beautiful praise song in our last reading, and now grumbling at what seems like the very next moment, caught me off guard. It reminded me a little about church attendance. How’s that? Well, over the years I’ve noticed that Sunday church behavior isn’t always the same as during the week behavior for some. Folks spruce up in their “Sunday best” and show up for church. They may have heard the best sermon or praise set EVER, but when they walk out of the church doors and back into reality, the focus stops being on God but on their own agenda. How easily forgotten is their holy moment.

Now I don’t mean to offend anyone, but have you seen it, too? It’s like people come for their dose of religion in an hour or two once a week. How they live the rest of their lives may not look holy at all. That is not what God wants from us.

For those Israelites he had just rescued, he laid before them conditions. Think of it as a standard to test their faithfulness. “He said, “If you will listen carefully to the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in his sight, obeying his commands and keeping all his decrees, then I will not make you suffer any of the diseases I sent on the Egyptians; for I am the Lord who heals you.”

That was God’s hope for them. I’m pretty sure he has the same hope for us. We should “listen carefully” for his voice and do “what is right in his sight.” That really doesn’t sound all that hard. Not until the world and its voices start crowding our heads. Hearing God’s voice over all the noise can be quite a task. But that’s the whole reason I started this blog in the first place. Appropriately named. Be Still. Listen for God’s voice.

Let’s pray. Lord, I come to you today ready to step it up and listen. I’m listening to hear your voice and your mission for me today. I know that you will be beside me the whole way. I know I don’t have to be afraid. Help me to clear my head from the distractions and noise that is trying to control me. I am yours and I want to be dedicated to doing what is right in your sight. Give me the strength I need. In Jesus’ name. Amen.