Exodus 24, Luke 21

Friday, March 7, 2008 - Brandon Hatmaker

"The time is here... to draw near."

(Exodus 24)

Then he said to Moses, "Come up to the LORD, you and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel. You are to worship at a distance, but Moses alone is to approach the LORD; the others must not come near. And the people may not come up with him."

In Exodus 24 the covenant was established. Also, precedence was set. Moses came near, others stayed at a distance. Later, the priests came before the lord, while the people still remained at a distance. This is how it all began.

Then through Jeremiah, God made a promise. “The time is coming," declares the LORD, "when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah.” (Jeremiah 31:31)

We now live under that New Covenant. “He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.” (2 Corinthians 3:6)

Father, You went to great lengths so that as a just God, we could stand before You as Your children. Why then would we remain at a distance? Forgive us where we lack the confidence and trust to live in the freedom of the new covenant. Thank you for the Grace of the cross.

(Luke 21)

Jesus said in verse 34-35, "Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth.”

Jesus is reminding us of our own nature. Easily we lose perspective in life, take our eyes of Jesus, and fall prey to sin. When that happens, we are one “click” away from losing confidence, losing faith, and losing hope.

We must be careful to quickly lay down all issues of concern in our lives to the Lord. We should go to great lengths to make this be our first response. We should not entertain them or allow them to grow. Jesus tells us that they will weigh us down, steal our attention, and render us unable to see Him.

Lord, I worry too much. That is a dangerous thing. Forgive me for my lack of faith. Help me to surrender the concerns of my flesh. Help me to keep my eyes on You through all things.