Nehemiah 9:22-10:39, 1 Corinthians 9:19-10:13, Psalms 34:1-10, Proverbs 21:13
What God said to me – I led Israel out of slavery in Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. The time leading up to it was not easy – their workload was increased, and they paid a price, but they also saw Me work in mighty ways through the plagues and the parting of the sea before them. I led them to My mountain so I could cut covenant with them and give them My law. Amazingly after all they saw and went through, it was at the base of the mountain that they succumbed to temptation and fell. This time of interlude as they waited for Moses to come down should have been a time of rest and restoration and preparation for what was to come, but instead it became a time of immorality and debauchery and idolatry. These things happened as an example and were written for your instruction. “I AM” always at work carrying out My plans. Learn from Israel’s example – if you don’t stay close to Me and purposefully seek Me during the down times, the waiting times, the times where it doesn’t seem like “I AM” there, it is so easy to fall away. When you fall away then you are either not ready or disqualified when it is time to go to work. Like the athlete who is training diligently for an event, there are many days of hard work, but there are also days built in the schedule for rest and recovery – both are necessary to reach the goal – seek Me in both so you stay close and don’t fall away.