Then the Lord spoke to Moses, “Go down at once, for your people, whom you brought up from the land of Egypt, have behaved corruptly. They have quickly turned aside from the way which I commanded them. They have made for themselves a cast metal calf, and have worshiped it and have sacrificed to it and said, ‘This is your god, Israel, who brought you up from the land of Egypt!’” Then the Lord said to Moses, “I have seen this people, and behold, they are an obstinate people. So now leave Me alone, that My anger may burn against them and that I may destroy them; and I will make of you a great nation.”
We do a lot to avoid the inconvenience of waiting. Apps, delivery services, and pick up zones have all been created to help people avoid waiting. Today’s passage reminds us this is not a new issue. While waiting for a word from God, the people of Israel found a substitute to worship instead of Him. The fastest and most immediate solution seemed suitable even though it was a cheap substitute that would never satisfy.
What is an area where you are waiting for God? How we wait for Him matters, though it is tempting to find the quick fix. We are prone to look for other answers or even blame God while we wait. But even in our waiting, we are called to worship and serve God. Even when we don’t hear His answer, we are still made to worship Him and trust His timing. Lamentations 3:24-25 says, “‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘Therefore I wait for Him.’ The Lord is good to those who await Him, to the person who seeks Him.” When we worship God as we wait instead of looking to escape the inconvenience by finding a cheap substitute, He will be faithful. He is good to those who wait on Him.
- What do you tend to do when you are waiting for something? What habits can you cultivate while waiting for simple things that might help as you wait for God?
- Is there anything you’ve tried to substitute for God that you need to submit to Him?
- Pray and ask God to help you worship Him in every season of life.
