Transformed – teen devotion – August 27, 2023
One truth shared: God gives us all we need to know about him in his Word.
Then the LORD came down in the cloud and stood there with him and proclaimed his name, the LORD. And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.”
Moses bowed to the ground at once and worshiped. “Lord,” he said, “if I have found favor in your eyes, then let the Lord go with us. Although this is a stiff-necked people, forgive our wickedness and our sin, and take us as your inheritance.”
Exodus 34:5-9
God Speaks for Himself
Play out this scenario in your head: You start a new summer job not knowing anyone there. You get to know people slowly as the weeks go by. You really get to know them in the lunch break room. On Friday they share their weekend plans. You share yours. They catch on that you go to church most Sundays. It confuses them. They ask, “What’s so special about God that you would plan your weekends around him?”
How would you answer?
You’ve been put on the spot to explain why God is so awesome you feel the need to worship him. They are asking a big question! There are so many ways you can describe God because the Bible is a big book with lots of details about him.
If God was in the lunchroom, how would he respond? Well, in Exodus 34 Moses begged God for more of an explanation. Moses just wanted to know more about God. He wanted to see his glory. And as God passed by, God defined himself.
He uses the name LORD. This name means that he is the only God. He is eternal. He is the Lord. He is the one who saves. He is the one who saves you. He is your Lord.
Your Lord stoops down to see how you are doing and picks you up when you’ve fallen. Your Lord doesn’t treat you like your sins deserve, he loves you regardless of them. Your Lord doesn’t jump at you to accuse. Instead, he overflows with love that will never run out and will always be there when you need it. Your Lord doesn’t love a select few, he loves all his creation, all his people, all his children, all of you.
Your Lord forgives. Yes, he punishes sin. He doesn’t just turn a blind eye. But he doesn’t punish you. He sent his one and only Son to die in your place so you would be with him forever.
That is how God describes himself. Would you say it the same exact way in the break room? Probably not. But you can say it! And you do know who your Lord is. Whether your answer is long or short, God speaks for himself now through you. Through you, others can know how God is defined by his compassion and grace.
Prayer: LORD, thank you for describing yourself in a way that assures me I am constantly loved and I always yours. Amen.
