Exodus 20 - Steve Wiggins Daily Devotional

“All the people witnessed the thunder and lightning, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain surrounded by smoke. When the people saw it they trembled and stood at a distance. ‘You speak to us and we will listen,’ they said to Moses, ‘but don’t let G_d speak to us or we will die.’ Moses responded to the people, ‘Don’t be afraid, for G_d has come to test you, so that you will fear Him and will not sin,’” Exodus 20:18-20

“My rabbi says…”

I’m so glad that I attend a congregation that has a great rabbi! He simply loves the Bible and lives to teach it. He encourages us congregants to bring our Bibles, and models Biblical scholarship by preaching from his own open Bible. He values the Bible as “the source” of knowledge, as opposed to a “resource” for some topic or agenda. I thank the Lord for the fact that our rabbi encourages us to read our Bibles everyday.

I can think of only one thing in my journey to follow Messiah that beats good preaching: Personal Bible study. That’s right. What’s more important than what someone teaches you after they studied the Bible, is what G_d teaches you when YOU read it for yourself.

A major problem in our culture is that people don’t believe the Bible. A major problem in our congregations is that more & more rabbis don’t teach the Bible in its entirety. A major problem in our families is that spouses and children don’t speak about the Bible. A major problem with congregation-goers is that they don’t read the Bible.

“There is enough dust on the Bibles of England to, with one’s finger, spell the word, ‘Damnation!’” Charles Spurgeon

Hopefully, you’re changing that trend. When we read the Bible, we discuss it with those close to us. When we discuss it, a community of Bible-mindedness grows. New Bible teachers are raised-up in rhythm with those kinds of communities, and communities devoted to G_d steer their cultures.

Don’t be afraid of approaching the L_rd. Be afraid of what happens when you don’t!

“Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of Grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4: 16

Blessings,
~Steve Wiggins, Associate Leader, Worship Leader
Shuvah Yisrael
Daily Devotional, Friday, March 21, 2014