THE LORD SPOKE (January 26)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Old Testament: Exodus 10-12

“So that you may tell...your grandchildren....” (Ex. 10:2)

The influence that flows from generation to generation is precious - if it’s a good influence. The opposite can be devastatingly true too - a sinful influence will be felt for generations to come.

Imagine the effect the plagues had on the children and grandchildren. It had to be explained to them why they couldn’t drink water out of the normal water bucket, why there were so many stinking dead animals outside, and why some locusts were even under the covers at night. It couldn’t be avoided when the little Egyptian neighbor boy died last night - it had to be explained in language a child could understand. “God must be obeyed. Always listen to Him and then do what He says.” The best advice was, “Do what I do. Follow my example.”

Grandpa and Grandma, you have at the same time an incredible opportunity and a heavy responsibility. “From everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children” (Ps. 103:17).

In Daddy’s Steps [works for Grandpa too!]
T.T. Judd

There are little eyes upon you, and they’re watching night and day;
There are little ears that quickly take in every word you say;
There are little hands all eager to do everything you do,
And a little boy who’s dreaming of the day he’ll be like you.

You’re the little fellow’s idol, you’re the wisest of the wise.
In his little mind about you , no suspicions ever rise;
He believes in you devoutly, holds that all you say and do,
He will say and do in your way when he’s grown up to be like you.

There’s a wide-eyed little fellow who believes you’re always right,
And his ears are always open and he watches day and night;
You are setting an example every day in all you do,
For the little boy who’s waiting to grow up to be like you.


New Testament: Matthew 26

If your spirituality isn’t enough to break the bonds of slumber, it isn’t worth much, is it? It’s so easy to see it in this chapter with the disciples. Though they all swore they would stand with Jesus through thick and thin (vs. 35), when crunch time came every single one ran. One was actually the betrayer. He kissed heaven’s Door and went to hell. Another denied Him with an oath - three times! Not one hung around after the first sniff of danger. Before the going got tough, the tough skedaddled.

It started back in the garden. Actually, it started way before that but it should have been painfully apparent to them in Gethsemane. Their dear friend Jesus had only moments before told them plainly that he would be struck down (vs. 31; the Hebrew word in the OT quote from Zech. 13:7, is used for being struck by a weapon in battle, resulting in death). Then they saw as “He began to be sorrowful and troubled” (vs. 37). Three times He came back to them, pleading with them for support in His distress. Even in a garden on a dark night, they could have seen the blood mixed with His sweat (Lk. 22:44). They could, at least, have heard the pain in His voice and felt the quiver in His hand.

But no, they were tired. They could only look for a softer spot to rest their heads. The good Passover meal was sitting heavy in their bellies and the four cups of wine were beginning to work. Slumber was more important than the Savior. Sleep sounded better than service. Snoozing led to losing out on one of the most significant moments in the Gospel narrative.

As the Son submitted to the Father (“nevertheless, not my will but thine be done”), they missed seeing the Trinity in action. They slept through one of the best parts of the movie.

How can we overcome this sort of thing? Our own spiritual slumber often dulls our perception and we miss the voice of God. Here’s something you can do about it:

1. Kick the devil in the teeth (I Pet. 5:9; Jas. 4:7). Tell him to get out and never come back.
2. Lay your soul out before the Lord and plead for His help in overcoming your slumbering weakness.
3. Set your alarm so you can get up a while before you must. Put it on the other side of the room so it’s not so easy to turn it off without getting up.
4. Throw off the covers. Splash some cold water on your face so you’re brought quickly to alertness.
5. Open your Bible and let the Lord speak. Let Jesus shine on you. Let the Spirit wash over you. Be quickened in your soul!