God is perfectly holy. Through the Holy Spirit, we desire and grow in holiness. Sanctification is His work—but we each have a part through obedience.

At the base of Mount Sinai God wanted his people’s undivided attentions, so He prepared them and then shook the earth. God warns his people that they need a mediator to be right next to Him. Jesus’s blood lets us go up to the mountain, He is the only way to go before him.

God draws near to meet with us. He speaks truth that doesn’t change. Are you listening? Expect Him to speak! Prepare your heart to hear him and be ready to respond.

Once slaves to darkness God delivered and restored us because He treasures us above all the Earth. As His kingdom of priests, He calls us to obedience and to keep His covenant. We are His holy nation—set apart, changed, and freed by the blood of Jesus, so that we may lead others to Him through the power of the Gospel.

Because Jesus lived as one of us, He is our perfect advocate. He is loved by God, stands in solidarity with us, and powerful to save—so we can have peace and confidence in Him.

Limitations are not sinful. We need Christian community to bear our burdens and remind us of godly priorities, and we need God and His presence. Without Him we will grow weary.

Our biggest concern is knowing God. He reveals himself to us in our lives— always at the center—the sovereign ruler. Sparing, delivering, and carrying us throughout the traps and trials. Seating us at His table, no longer enemies, and rejoicing in the One who is the true bread of life.

Isreal is at war against flesh and blood with Amalek, we too fight spiritual battles every day. The similarities between our conflicts and theirs include the characteristics of the enemy, the fight, the need for encouragement from those around us, and God’s role in it all. This passage reminds that God is sovereign over everything, His victory is assured.

God leads the Israelites into a waterless desert, where they have no choice but to rely on God for all they need. The Israelites response is to grumble, quarrel and test that God will keep his promises. Despite this unbelief, God provides water and himself. Yet these events stand as a warning to us not to respond to God’s plan in the same way.