Kingdom Manna

Cost

Luke 18:29, And he said to them, “Truly I tell you, there is no on who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God,..”

Divided loyalties. They have the capacity to extend from anxiety over choices and priorities, like two important events scheduled on the same night, to deep wells of guilt over decisions. Especially if our decision equally separates two people we love.

We face emotional pain, doubts and turmoil. Feelings of inadequacy loom; ‘If only I’d planned better, prepared properly, I would not be the cause of such disappointment.’ Why then does Jesus so strongly call us to such a choice? Why does He ask us to divide ourselves from the same people He has surrounded us with?

Despite my love for my family and friends, I do not always know what choices are in their best interests. What successes or failures will bring them into a closer walk with God? Or when my motives have an underlying bias toward my own self-interests or needs. And neither do they for me.

With Jesus only can we decide rightly. With Him alone will we have the security of choosing rightly. When we all put His priorities first, we together move closer to His kingdom.

Lord, help me to center all my loyalties in You and trust in You alone for the outcome.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 119:121

I have done what is just and right;

do not leave me to my oppressors.

Tabernacle

Laver

Dust of the desert

dust of daily duty

swirled around the priests

so they washed

in obedience. They washed

in the bronze basin,

to stay clean, to serve.

Dust of the world

dust of daily decisions

coats a residue

conspires to steal hearts.

Jesus washes us by His word

purges away the stains

purifies so we can walk today.

John 13:8, … “Unless I wash you, you have no share in me.”

Leaving Egypt Behind

Scripture: Exodus 14:5, When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, Pharaoh and his servants had a change of heart toward the people, and they said, “What is this we have done, that we have let Israel go from serving us?”

Despite the clear hand of God, the death of loved ones, and the destruction of their land, Egypt set out to reclaim Israel. Without Israel, the mighty Egypt was without slaves. With Israel’s departure, they lost prestige.

Is such the lure of power and control? No matter the consequences it becomes necessary to maintain the status quo at all costs. Any means to not suffer financial hardship, to not suffer loss of face.

Daily we are bombarded by advertisements demanding we buy, eat, dress, according to this or that, promising our lives will attain perfection and pleasure. Everyone will recognize us as eminent, experienced, elite. We will reach the pinnacle of success.

How many of my decisions are based on the threat of economics? How much is my self-esteem based on my relationships to others and their opinion of me? Do I grasp too tight, Lord, to my securities, afraid to let change enter my life, even when Your hand clearly marks a new way? Let me put my faith in You, in reality, not in the illusion of power and control.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 25:10

All the paths of the Lord are lovingkindness and truth

To those who keep His covenant and His testimonies.

Leaving Egypt Behind

Scripture: Exodus 8:10, … So he said, “May it be according to your word, that you may know that there is no one like the Lord our God.”

Pharaoh is disdainful of the Hebrews and their God, yet Moses graciously extends to him an offer; it will be done according to your word, on your say-so, on your time. Moses maneuvered Pharaoh into accountability. Pharaoh could not sidestep the Lord’s answer. He himself had set up the terms. Doubts, excuses, arguments swept away. Relief arrived. Pharaoh hardened his heart.

Passover. Jesus knelt before Judas and washed his feet. Jesus warned woe to the man who betrayed Him. Jesus dipped the morsel and gave it to Judas, saying, “what you do, do quickly.” Repeated opportunities for Judas to repent from his path toward betrayal. Judas departed into the night.

Pausing to look back over selfish pursuits I chose, I see now the signposts warning my paths. You do not leave us blind, Lord; promises of scripture, people to support us. You give with grace. Like Pharaoh, though, when the danger is past, my will stiffens.

Pardon me, I pray, for rejecting Your beacons. Thank you for continuing to admonish and caution me to the dangers. Keep me accountable to You, to Your light. Keep me from a hardened heart.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 19:2

Day to day pours forth speech,

And night to night reveals knowledge.

Leaving Egypt Behind

Scripture: Exodus 5:9, Let the labor be heavier on the men, and let them work at it that they may pay no attention to false words.

Pharaoh knew psychology. Pile on the labor until they stagger. Weigh them down until words no longer infiltrate their thinking. Fatigue settles. Dullness of mind descends. Our vision narrows when our burdens increase. Our sight is limited to the tasks at hand. Our purpose is to make it through the day. We brush away alternative goals like flies at a picnic. Automatically like machines, set, programmed, we work.

Jesus calls, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.”

Words of life, words of meaning.

Can I hear them or am I so overburdened with busyness they fall unnoticed as leaves in a forest. Am I so absorbed in ceaseless activities I am blind to the weight friends carry? Vain pursuits contribute to emptiness, too. Some days fill with meaningless clatter and still I am deaf to Jesus’ invitation to rest my soul. His words sound so foreign that I think them false, like Pharaoh thought Moses’.

Open my ears and eyes, Lord, to perceive Your words. Keep me from substituting false pursuits for truth. Balance my labor under Your yoke.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 68:19

Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burden,

The God who is our salvation.