Exodus 39 - Steve Wiggins Daily Devotional

“The Israelites had done everything the L_rd had commanded Moses. Moses inspected all the work they had accomplished. They had done just as the L_rd commanded. Then Moses blessed them.” Exodus 39: 42-43

My wife and I built our first house in Franklin Tennessee. You learn a lot when you build a house! Fortunately, we had a good experience. When the work was completed, we walked through and inspected everything. Then, we said, “Well done!” and wrote them a final check.

I call it “beginner’s luck”, because almost every other home contracting experience has been nightmarish! All I can say is, no matter how much a contractor begs…don’t pay them until ALL the work is done. Remember the old saying: If you want a friend to leave you alone, give him a loan. Sadly, the same could be said for many building contractors. Give them their money up-front and you’ll probably never see them again!!

It is safe to say that Moses was G_d’s “general contractor”. He was given a job, and given the task to bring-it-in on time, on budget and with a zero-tolerance on craftsmanship.

I am amazed how our culture is losing its “work ethic”. That is, we would rather play first and work later. That attitude has led to our generation being the most indebted generation in history. I’m guilty, too. During the Great Depression, people may have been flat broke, but they were not as “in debt” as we are today. Consider these statistics.

* There are roughly 1.2 billion credit cards in use in the U.S.
* 1 of every 73 households filed for bankruptcy in 2003
* 1-in-4.5 homes were in foreclosure in Riverside County, CA in 2012
* Average per-household debt in the U.S. (not counting mortgage debt) is $14,500

As the Egyptians sold themselves into slavery in the days of Joseph (Genesis 47:19), so we, as a nation, have sold ourselves into bondage to credit companies. In effect, we have rejected the L_rd’s provision, considering is as inadequate…choosing rather, to indenture ourselves so we can obtain the objects of our idolatry.

Let’s take today’s passage as a challenge to: 1) Ask the L_rd where He wants us to labor in his Kingdom, 2) Work as unto the L_rd, 3) Rest in His blessing & provision, 4) Seek His mercy and Divine providence in releasing us from the bonds of debt we have sold ourselves into. Do the work He has chosen and equipped you to complete; then seek His blessing. Not the other way around.

Blessings,
~Steve Wiggins, Associate Leader, Worship Leader
Shuvah Yisrael
Daily Devotional, Wednesday, April 9, 2014