Renewal

Renewal
Words of Faith 3-29-2023
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2023
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL
www.faithfellowshipweb.com
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Exodus 34
[10] Then the Lord said: "I am making a covenant with you. Before all your people I will do wonders never before done in any nation in all the world. The people you live among will see how awesome is the work that I, the Lord, will do for you. [11] Obey what I command you today. I will drive out before you the Amorites, Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites.

The Lord God responded to the plea of Moses and renewed the covenant with the people of Israel. God promised to renew the Mosaic Covenant and to work mightily through them. He would display wonders so that other people would see the awesome nature of God and His work. Those wonders would include His driving out the enemies of Israel living in the land promised to Abraham and his descendants.
But our relationship with the Lord is significantly different from that of Israel. We are not being led as a theocracy toward a physical promised land. But we are on a journey toward God's promise! There is a powerful image here for every one of us on the journey with God. He has redeemed us. He has brought us out of slavery by the mighty work of Jesus. He continues to guide us through the wilderness of our lives and will take us to the land of His promise. God wants to take us to the spiritual location of He has planned for us and promised to us. He will do awesome works and drive out those who make themselves an enemy to us.
Part of the wonder of this renewal was that Israel had sinned greatly after her redemption. We may feel that God has abandoned us because of sin in our lives, but the nature of the Lord is to forgive. "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" ( 34:6-7).
It is His nature to forgive our sin when we confess and return to Him in contrition. "If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:8-9). He is the Lord who forgives, renews, and restores.
Today we can rest in the strength of the Lord. We find reassurance in the promises of the Lord. As the Apostle Paul declared: If God is for us, who can be against us (Romans 8:31)?

Lord, I rejoice today in the knowledge that You are with us on this journey. Forgive our sin. Renew me and restore me. Drive out our enemies and secure the place You have planned and promised for us. In Jesus' name.

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© Jeffrey D. Hoy 2023
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy - Faith Fellowship Church (EFCA)
2820 Business Center Blvd.
Melbourne, Florida 32940 (321)-259-7200
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
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