Scott Beyer

“so that they wearied themselves trying to find the doorway.” (Gen 19:11)

Sin is a tiresome thing.  It wore David out trying to hide his sin with Bathsheba.  It wore Samson out fending off the wiles of Delilah.  It wore Saul out trying to hold onto power and control.

The people of Sodom were blinded by the angels but before that, sin had already blinded their hearts.

“For you [Laodiceans] say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.” (Rev 3:17)

The Laodiceans believed the world would give them everything they wanted and make them whole, but Jesus saw the true picture of a people worn out, used up, and left destitute by sin.

Sodom thought sin would gratify them, but all it did was wear them out.

#biblebites

“And Joseph wept when they spoke to him.” (Gen 50:17)

Years after Joseph’s brothers had been reunited with him, these men still feared his wrath.  In Genesis 50, these grown men thought that now that their father was dead, that Joseph would finally exact revenge on them for what they had done to him all those many years ago.

Joseph had moved on and had lived in joy because he had sincerely forgiven them.  They were still stuck in regret and fear.  Forgiveness clears the plate and opens the door for reconciliation, joyful service, and fellowship, but only if we accept it.

“as far as the east is from the west, so far does He remove our transgressions from us.” (Ps 103:12)

#biblebites

“for he [Moses] was afraid to look at God.” (Ex 3:6)

This same Moses would beg God for the privilege to see Jehovah’s face and glory in Exodus 33 with such zeal that God would have to explain “You cannot see my face, for no man can see Me and live!”

What changed?  Not God – God is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Heb 13:8).

Moses changed.  His fear of God blossomed into adoration.  His fear was the beginning of wisdom (Pr 9:10), but the Lord’s discipline, guidance, and mercy transformed Moses into a man that loved the Lord more than he feared Him.  He stopped running from God and started running to Him.

#biblebites