We highlight two interesting phrases - (a) ‘as you were shown on the mountain’ (Exodus 27:8); (b) ‘towards the sunrise’ (Exodus 27:13, New International Version).
We need both ‘the Scriptures’ and ‘the power of God’ (Mark 12:24). Our
faith is based on divine revelation - ‘according to the Scriptures’ (1
Corinthians 15:3-4). We are ‘not’ to ‘go beyond what is written’ (1
Corinthians 4:6). Face the risen Son - We may not always be facing the
rising sun, but we should always be facing the risen Son! The
revelation, the resurrection, the Scriptures, the Son - these are the
great focal-points of our Christian Faith: God has revealed Himself,
Christ has risen. Encouraged by the Scriptures, and empowered by the
Son, we face the risen Son and we say, ‘I will proclaim the glory of the
risen Lord’ (Romans 15:4; Matthew 28:18-20; Mission Praise, 14).
Sometimes, Lord, we don't feel like the sun is shining upon us. When we feel like this, help us to know that the light and love of Your Son is always shining upon us. When we're feeling down, help us to remember that You raised Jesus up - "Up from the grave He arose with a mighty triumph o'er His foes." This is what we need to hear. This is what lifts us up: up - into Your presence, up - out of our sin, up - into Your salvation' upwards and onwards - to Your eternal glory.
"I am filled with the power of the Lord's Spirit" (Micah 3:8). This is what makes true ministry of God's Word so different from 'prophecy' that doesn't come from the Lord. Without the power of the Lord, there can be no Word from the Lord. We need the Word, and we need the power. "Let's go to the mountain of the Lord ...He will teach us His ways so that we may live by them" (Micah 4:2). We are taught by the Lord so that we might live for Him. Teaching and living - they belong together. We do not learn from God's Word so that we can amass more head-knowledge. We pray for a saving knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ - a life-changing knowledge that gives us the strength that we need to live for the glory of God.
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