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Topic: Responding To Grace
[DCLM Daily Manna 12 January 2019 Daily Devotional by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi]
Text: Exodus 4:27-31 (KJV)
Key Verse: “And the people believed: and when they heard that the LORD had visited the children of Israel, and that he had looked upon their affliction, then they bowed their heads and worshipped” (Exodus 4:31).
MESSAGE:
In 1829, George Wilson committed a crime, was tried, found guilty and sentenced for execution. However, the president of the United States then, Andrew Jackson, exercising his power of Prerogative of Mercy decided to grant him pardon and have his death sentence changed to a 20 year prison term. Strangely, George Wilson refused the offer. In his comment, Chief Justice John Marshall wrote, “A pardon is an act of grace, proceeding from the power entrusted with the execution of laws… (But) delivery is not complete without acceptance…” Since Wilson rejected the offer of grace, he had to face the consequences of his crime.
The elders of the children of Israel had a better response to the offer of grace given to them by God through Moses and Aaron. The nation of Israel had been under the cruel Egyptian captivity for over 400 years. Without any hope of deliverance from anywhere, God decided to show up in their case. He initiated the rescue mission Himself, commissioned and empowered the minister He would use. As the elders listened to Moses and Aaron narrate God’s promise to deliver them, they responded in faith, submission and acceptance. Their worship here is a symbolic demonstration of their acceptance of God’s offer of grace to them.
Today, God has made his offer of grace that brings pardon and freedom from sin and its terrible consequences available to all. Yet, it is left for us to respond and accept. We can only enjoy the blessings and provisions that God has made available for all when we respond with the right kind of attitude. Therefore, approach His throne of grace with faith and true submission in worship.
Thought For The Day: The benefits of grace can only be enjoyed when you believe and accept.
Bible Reading In One Year: Genesis 35-37
