Devotion:
Read Exodus 32:15-20.
In this scripture passage, Moses went from a mountaintop high to a valley low. Moses had gotten the tablets that God had written and was carrying them down the mountain. The Israelites were instructed to place the tablets into the Ark of the Covenant. Moses and Joshua each describe the noise they heard from the camp. Joshua thought that the people sounded like they were warring. Moses thought that they sounded like they were singing. Moses was so angry when he saw them worshiping the golden calf. He could not believe the people’s quick lapse into idolatry. He was so mad that he threw down the tablets and broke them. He burned the calf to powder, sprinkled it on the water and made the people drink it. Why do you think that Moses made the Israelites drink the water with the gold dust in it? Moses wanted to show them that their idol was no true god if it could so easily be destroyed. Perhaps he thought this would shame the people or even cause fear when the magnitude of their sin was realized. Anger is thought to be a negative emotion which can cause us and the people around us harm. However, the scriptures differentiate between anger which destroys or breaks relationships and anger that is directed at wickedness. The disappointment that the Israelites caused Moses to have was monumental. It is hard to go from high to low quickly. It is hard on our wellbeing of emotions.
Personal Worship Option:
Do you savor your mountain top experiences and try to minimize your valley lows? Do you try to help others get through some of their valleys? When you do, it can help you have a high.
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