This morning we continue our series “Grace that is Simply Amazing” by continuing to look at The Law given under Moses vs. the Grace provided by Jesus. If we look at how God operated in the Old Testament, prior to the Law (prior to Exodus 20), we clearly see a God of Grace. Let’s look at a few examples.
In Exodus 14, when the Lord delivered the Israelites from Egypt, the Israelites complained when they got to the Red Sea. With the Sea before them, and Pharaoh’s army behind them, the people complained that Moses had brought them out there to die. They exhibited no faith in God whatsoever. But God, rich in mercy and Grace, opened up the sea, He made the ground at the bottom of the sea dry for them (so they would not get stuck in the mud), and He allowed the Israelites to walk across on dry ground. Once they were safely across, the Lord closed up the sea, destroying Pharaoh and his army. Not only did they come across on dry ground, but God brought them out of Egypt with silver and gold, and the Bible says, “there was not one feeble person among their tribes” (Ps 105:37). This was clearly a grace case.
In Exodus 15, after the amazing Red Sea experience, Moses led the Israelites for three days without getting to any water. When they finally arrived at Marah, they found water, but it was too bitter to drink. So the people complained again, saying, “What are we to drink?” You would think that they would trust God and be in-faith after the miracle of the Red Sea. But they had no faith and they were complaining. Did God get angry? No. God led Moses to throw a piece of wood into the water and the water became sweet. God blessed them, once again, by grace.
In Exodus 16, after the miracles of the Red Sea and the sweet water, the people complained that they were hungry. The Israelites said said to Moses and Aaron, “If only we had died by the Lord ’s hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death.” The people were once again complaining, without exhibiting any faith in God whatsoever. So did God get angry? No! God responded by raining down manna from heaven. God provided supernatural food for the Israelites every day. And on God’s supernatural diet, not one of them got sick. Did God do this because of their faith? No. He did it because of His grace.
In Exodus 17, after everything the Lord had already done for the Israelites in a clearly supernatural way, they complained again. While they were camped at Rephidim the people complained again about not having water to drink. Even after all they had seen, the people said to Moses, “Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to make us and our children and livestock die of thirst?” Moses was so frustrated with their lack of faith that he cried out to the Lord and said, “What am I to do with these people? They are almost ready to stone me.” The Lord answered Moses, “Go out in front of the people. Take with you some of the elders of Israel and take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. I will stand there before you by the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it for the people to drink.” And just like that, the Lord provided water for millions of people, from a rock. Not because they were in-faith, but because they were complaining. Do you know what that’s called? It’s called GRACE! We will stop here for today.
So what does this mean to you today? A few quick things.
1. Mercy is God NOT giving you the bad you do deserve.
2. Grace is God giving you the good you DO NOT deserve.
3. Prior to the Law of Moses, we clearly see a God of Grace. This is the God Jesus died to get us back to.
4. Prior to the Law of Moses, every fresh murmur and complaint from the people, led to a fresh outpour of Grace from God. Not because they deserved it, but only because of God’s Grace.
5. God did not bless the nation of Israel — with deliverance from Egypt, the opening of the Red Sea, sweet water in Marah, manna from heaven, and water from a rock — because they deserved it or earned it. It was not even because they exhibited an inkling of faith. No, God did what He by Grace alone.
6. Grace is unearned, undeserved, unmerited, and almost unbelievable. The Grace of God seems “almost” too good to be true, but it is true and our God is a God of Grace.
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for teaching me about Your Grace. The more I learn about Grace, the more I learn about You. I know You love me, You made plans for me before the foundations of the world, and You want to bless me by Your amazing and undeserved Grace. While I make every attempt to live a life of faith, being led of your Holy Spirit, so that I can be the person You destined me to be, I am sincerely thankful for Your Grace. By Grace You have already blessed me with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. By Grace You already planned my success. By Grace You already laid out my victory. By Grace You already made a way for me where there seemed to be no way. By Grace You have opened doors that no man can close and closed doors that no man can open. By Grace You setup divine appointments to bless me and promote me, right in front of my enemies. You have done all You were going to do in my life by Grace, and now, by faith I pursue Your Kingdom plans and purposes for me. By faith I access Your Grace and I maximize my purpose and potential in life, before I die. I declare this by faith! It shall come to pass in the earth! In heaven, it’s already done. Here, it is only a matter of time. In Jesus’ name. Amen!
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
