Exodus 37-38, Matthew 28, Psalms 34:11-22, Proverbs 9:9-10

What God said to me – In this world you will have tribulation – it’s a fact even though it’s not a popular sermon topic.  You may suffer affliction from disease or persecution or sin or rejection.  There is untold physical, mental and emotional suffering as you go through life.  My promise to My children is that I will deliver them.  My Son was abused ad tortured and He suffered and died, yet I delivered Him.  I resurrected Him and seated Him at My right hand.  I used His suffering and death for His good and My glory and demonstrated My faithfulness by fulfilling My promises.  In the accounts of His suffering and death there is an often-overlooked fact that has great significance – “none of His bones were broken”.  Why is that significant?  First, it is a sign to show that like the Passover lamb slain, but no bones were broken, He is the Passover Lamb whose shed blood saved the people who believed.  Second, it was the fulfillment of a prophecy from long ago that in His affliction none of His bones would be broken.  I fulfilled My promise concerning Him and I will fulfill My promise concerning you.  In this world, you will have tribulation, but I have overcome the world.

Exodus 35:10-36:38, Matthew 27:32-66, Psalms 34:1-10, Proverbs 9:7-8

What God said to me – My children never have to be afraid in whatever circumstance they find themselves because “I AM” sovereign and the plans for their lives are in My hands.  Just look at the things that happened around the crucifixion of My Son.  Satan thought he could thwart My plans by enticing one of His disciples to betray Him.  However, I called Judas to be a disciple years before for that very purpose.  Rather than thwart My plans by enticing Judas to betray My Son, he unknowingly fulfilled it.    Satan thought he could thwart My plans by killing My Son, so he enticed the Pharisees to kill Him.  Rather than thwarting My plan, he unknowingly fulfilled it.  Satan thought he could stop rumors of My Son’s resurrection by having them seal the tomb, but instead he unknowingly reinforced the truth of it.  So when you find yourself in difficult circumstances or feel like the enemy is on the attack, don’t be afraid – turn to Me.  I can use those very things to accomplish My plan in your life.  Trust My sovereignty, even in the smallest things and trust Me to work it out for your good and for My glory.

Exodus 34:1-35:9, Matthew 27:15-31, Psalms 33:12-22, Proverbs 9:1-6

What God said to me – Doing things the wrong way is always harder in the end than following the instructions and doing it right the first time.  Have you ever tried to put something together thinking you knew exactly what you were doing, and you broke it because you didn’t do it right – so you had to buy another one and start over?  When I gave Moses the Law the first time, I gave him the tablets, and I wrote on them with My finger.  Moses and the people of Israel didn’t have to “do” anything but receive it and obey it.  However, because of Israel’s disobedience the tablets were broken and three thousand men died.  I forgave them and gave them new tablets, but this time Moses had to cut them out of stone himself and this time Moses had to write the words of the covenant on the tablets himself.  There is a cost to sin and there is always a price for disobedience, even when you come around and do the right thing eventually.  Remember this when you know there is something you are supposed to do – don’t hesitate – obey – as hard as it may seem to do now, it will be harder later and the price will be higher.