PRIORITY OF THE PEOPLE Exodus 34:18-20
INTRO:
Clovis Chappell, a minister from a century back, used to tell the story of two paddleboats. They left Memphis about the same time, traveling down the Mississippi River to New Orleans. As they traveled side by side, sailors from one vessel made a few remarks about the snail’s pace of the other.
Words were exchanged. Challenges were made. And the race began. Competition became vicious as the two boats roared through the Deep South.
One boat began falling behind. Not enough fuel. There had been plenty of coal for the trip, but not enough for a race. As the boat dropped back, an enterprising young sailor took some of the ship’s cargo and tossed it into the ovens. When the sailors saw that the supplies burned as well as the coal, they fueled their boat with the material they had been assigned to transport. They ended up winning the race, but burned their cargo.
God has entrusted cargo to us, too: children, spouses, friends. Our job is to do our part in seeing that this cargo reaches its destination. Yet when the program takes priority over people, people often suffer. How much cargo do we sacrifice in order to achieve the number one slot? How many people never reach the destination because of the aggressiveness of a competitive captain?
Max Lucado, In the Eye of the Storm, Word Publishing, 1991, pp. 97-98.
2 Chron. 7:14 “If My people … seek My face”
Matt. 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
We are called to make our main priority in life to seek after God.
If we really want Revival, we will humble ourselves, pray, and SEEK HIS FACE.
This scripture tells us:
I. THE MOTIVE IS FOR REMEMBRANCE v. 18
A. The Israelites were a people who easily forgot what God did for them.
Judges 2:17 Yet they would not listen to their judges, but they played the harlot with other gods, and bowed down to them. They turned quickly from the way in which their fathers walked, in obeying the commandments of the LORD; they did not do so.
B. God has given them instructions on the Feast of Unleavened Bread, because that is when “you came out of Egypt.”
C. The motive of our seeking God is for us to remember who He is in our lives.
1. The deliverances the Lord has wrought. Deut. 5:15 And remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the LORD your God brought you out from there by a mighty hand and by an outstretched arm;
2. The way He has led. Deut. 8:2And you shall remember that the LORD your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not.
3. The blessings He has bestowed. Deut. 32:7-12
4. The victories He has won. Deut. 11:2-7
5. The encouragements He has given. Josh. 23:14 “Behold, this day I am going the way of all the earth. And you know in all your hearts and in all your souls that not one thing has failed of all the good things which the LORD your God spoke concerning you. All have come to pass for you; not one word of them has failed.
D. We can become sidetracked with so many good things, we forget God.
Forgotten Wife
After stopping for gas in Montgomery, Alabama, Sam drove more than 5 hours before noticing he had left someone behind—his wife. So at the next town he asked the police to help get him in touch with her. Then Sam called his wife to tell her he was on his way back. He admitted with great embarrassment that he just hadn’t noticed her absence.
How Sam could forget his wife is beyond me. But wait! We’re not much different in our relationship to God. We actually fail to remember the One who created us and redeemed us. How is this possible? I don’t know. But we do forget. And it’s a constant struggle not to.
Man’s short attention span is no surprise to God. Speaking to Israel, He offered solutions in Deuteronomy 6. First, know the real issues of life and keep priorities straight (vv. 4,5). Second, take the Scriptures seriously. Become so familiar with them that they are a part of what you think and feel and do (v. 6). Third, talk about God to your children, and look for opportunities to tell them of His love (v. 7). Fourth, write reminders to yourself and put them where they can be easily seen (vv. 8,9). Fifth, realize that your need for God is not limited to times of obvious stress or danger. Enjoy with gratitude whatever health and happiness you have (vv. 10,11).
Can we put God out of our mind? I’m afraid so. That’s why we must acknowledge and obey Him continually. It’s the only way of keeping Him in mind. -M.R.D.II
II. THE MANDATE GIVES US THE REASON v. 19-20a
A. Did you notice the word, “belongs to ME.”
B. If we constantly are seeking God, we understand that everything we are and have belongs to God. 1 Chron 29:14 But who am I, and who are my people, that we could give anything to you? Everything we have has come from you, and we give you only what you have already given us!
C. God mandates that our tithe is His, Mal 3:10
Bring all the tithes into the storehouse,
That there may be food in My house,
And try Me now in this,”
Says the LORD of hosts,
“If I will not open for you the windows of heaven
And pour out for you such blessing
That there will not be room enough to receive it.
D. God mandates that our lives are His, 1 Cor 6:19-20 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price;
E. God mandates that we have faith in Him, Heb. 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
F. What a reason to seek God daily. We are who we are today because of Him. We have what we have today because of Him.
III. THE METHOD INVOLVES THE REQUIREMENTS v. 20
A. The word empty here means “without cause, in vain: ineffective, undeservedly”
B. To seek Him means we come with our whole heart, soul, mind, and strength.
Prov. 8:17 And those who seek me diligently will find me.
Jer. 29:13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.
Are we people who:
Worship without routine.
Love without conditions.
Obey without delay.
Witness without fear.
C. Remember God is the one who determines our condition before Him:
1 Chron 28:9 “As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a loyal heart and with a willing mind; for the LORD searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever.
Illus: A young fellow rushed into a gas station to use the pay phone. The manager overheard his telephone conversation as he asked: “Sir, could you use a hardworking, honest young man to work for you?” (pause) “Oh … you’ve already got a hardworking, honest young man? Well, thanks anyway!” The boy hung up the phone with a smile. Humming to himself, he began to walk, obviously happy.
“How can you be so cherry?” asked the eavesdropping service manger. “I thought the man you talked to already had someone and didn’t want to hire you.”
The young fellow answered, “Well, you see I am the hardworking young man. I was just checking up on my job!”
CONCLUSION:
Isa. 55:6 Seek the LORD while He may be found,
Call upon Him while He is near.
What is holding you back today from experiencing Revival?
