Prayer
Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy; To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine. Our soul waiteth for the LORD: he is our help and our shield. For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name. Let thy mercy, O LORD, be upon us, according as we hope in thee (Psalm 33:18-22).
Today’s Hymn
Words: Traditional French carol (Les Anges dans Nos Campagnes); translated from French to English by James Chadwick in Crown of Jesus, 1862. Music: Gloria (Barnes), French carol melody; arranged by Edwin S. Barnes.
ANGELS WE HAVE HEARD ON HIGH
Click here for tune.
Angels we have heard on high
Sweetly singing o’er the plains,
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strains.
Refrain
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why your joyous strains prolong?
What the gladsome tidings be
Which inspire your heavenly song?
Refrain
Come to Bethlehem and see
Christ Whose birth the angels sing;
Come, adore on bended knee,
Christ the Lord, the newborn King.
Refrain
See Him in a manger laid,
Whom the choirs of angels praise;
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid,
While our hearts in love we raise.
Refrain
Thought Provoker
Have you ever been confronted with a difficult duty, and you just didn’t feel up to the task? In the world today what are we told when confronted with such difficulties? Are we told to trust in God or to believe in ourselves? Today, we see Moses wrestle with this very difficult situation and how God answers his every question.
Dad’s Study
In the deliverance of Israel from bondage in Egypt we see a picture of the deliverance of sinners from the bondage of sin. In verse 8 God declares that He has come down to deliver them from the power of the Egyptians, just as Christ also has come to earth as a man to do the work of deliverance of His people. “Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” (Phil. 2:6-8).
Moses likewise received a commission similar to ours. God first calls Moses to come to Him, then sends him for the purpose of bringing His chosen people out of bondage. Moses’ response is a question, “Who am I” to do this great work of God? And a fit question it is; when we think of our own sin and need of a Savior, who are we that we would be the ones God would choose to send to do His bidding of His chosen people? But God provides the answer, it is not we, but He; “Certainly I will be with you” and in that we can ever rest, assured that in our obedience God’s purposes will be done through His grace.
Click here for Matthew Henry’s Commentary.
Truth in Practice
Moses continued to doubt, questioning God about what he was to say and how he would explain this great truth of deliverance. Do you find yourself sometimes worrying about these things? Worry not, for our God is a sovereign God and He assures Moses with “And they will pay heed to what you say.” It is God that grants ears that hear His truth and hearts that believe (Matthew 13:16, 23), and unless God grants the hearing, there will be none, as in the case of Pharaoh. Pharaoh’s ears were closed and his heart hardened that through him the glory and power of God would be revealed. “So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that showeth mercy. For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might show my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth” (Rom. 9:16-18).
Catechism
Question 67
Q. What does every sin deserve?
A. Every sin deserves God’s wrath and curse, both in this life and that which is to come (Eph. 5:6; Ps. 11:6).
