Thursday 14 March 2024

Today is Thursday the 14th of March, in the fourth week of Lent.

Steffany Gretzinger sings, ‘Show Me Your Face’.

Moses stood on a mountain
Waiting for You to pass by
You put Your hand over his face
So in Your Presence, he wouldn't die
And all of Israel saw the glory
And it shines down through the age
Now You've called me
To boldly seek Your Face
Show me Your face, Lord
Show me Your face
And then gird up my legs
That I might stand in this holy place
Show me Your face, Lord
Your power and Your grace
Your power and grace
I would make it to the end
If I can just see Your face
David knew there was something more
Than the ark of Your presence
In a manger Messiah was born
Among kings and peasants
And all of Israel saw the glory
And it shines down through the age
Now You've called us
To boldly seek Your face
Show me Your face, Lord
Show me Your face
And then gird up my legs
That I might stand in this holy place
Show me Your face, Lord
Your power and Your grace
Your power and grace
I will make it to the end
If I can just see Your face
I know I will make it to the end
If I can just see Your face




Today’s reading is from the Book of Exodus.

Exodus 32:7-14

The Lord said to Moses, ‘Go down at once! Your people, whom you brought up out of the land of Egypt, have acted perversely; they have been quick to turn aside from the way that I commanded them; they have cast for themselves an image of a calf, and have worshipped it and sacrificed to it, and said, “These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!” ’ The Lord said to Moses, ‘I have seen this people, how stiff-necked they are. Now let me alone, so that my wrath may burn hot against them and I may consume them; and of you I will make a great nation.’

But Moses implored the Lord his God, and said, ‘O Lord, why does your wrath burn hot against your people, whom you brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand? Why should the Egyptians say, “It was with evil intent that he brought them out to kill them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth”? Turn from your fierce wrath; change your mind and do not bring disaster on your people. Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, your servants, how you swore to them by your own self, saying to them, “I will multiply your descendants like the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have promised I will give to your descendants, and they shall inherit it for ever.” ’ And the Lord changed his mind about the disaster that he planned to bring on his people.

While Moses was speaking with the Lord the people became impatient and made a golden calf. They began worshipping this god of their own making.

What causes you to turn away from God?

Tell God about these times.

You might like to take a moment and ask to be forgiven for turning away from God and his promises for you.

Think now of a situation in our world today that grieves God.

Ask God to pour compassion and mercy into this situation.

As you listen again to the passage, give thanks that God changes his mind and chooses to act with compassion and love.

As this time of prayer comes to a close, be thankful for God’s gifts. Allow this gratitude to bring you closer to Jesus.

You have given all to me
To you, Lord, I return it
Everything is Yours, do with it what you will
Give me only your love and Your grace
That is enough for me
Amen.