Lenten Daily Devotional from Pastor Mary 3-13-20

Psalm 95:7b-9 The Voice (VOICE)
7b 
Today, if He speaks, hear His voice.

    “Don’t harden your hearts the way they did in the bitter uprising at Meribah or like that day they complained in the wilderness of Massah.

Your ancestors tested Me, wanted Me to prove Myself though they had seen that nothing was too great for Me.

Pause in his presence

Lenten Reflection: Hearing God’s Voice in our worship is especially precious. When our hearts are open or pliable and we are willing to listen, we can gain amazing affirmation or wisdom from the Lord. Our passage today reminds us of the Israelites and their exodus from Egyptian slavery. The people argued with God (Meribah means argument) and their lack of trust tested God’s patience (Massah means tested). Therefore, God allowed that generation to perish in the wilderness; they never crossed over to the Promise Land God had provided for them. Their faith was not focused on God’s power to take them there. Our will is connected to the hardness or softness of our hearts. If we are not willing to trust and obey God, then we have not actually entered into worship; God always gives us reasons to trust him.

Prayer: Lord, I desire to get to the point in my listening skills to hear your Voice clearly once and then step into obedient action. This is what it means to worship in spirit and in Truth. I cast down anything within me that would seek to rebel against your authority or test your patience. In Jesus’ name. Amen.