Welcome to Tuesday, July 27th!

Today’s episode of The Cross Talk Daily Devotional is titled:

Excuses!

Thanks for listening!

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Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995}

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Welcome to the Tuesday, July 27th Cross Talk Daily Devotional.

May these words and thoughts bless you and provide you with ideas to think about as you live out this day!

Today’s episode is titled:

Excuses

Have you ever provided or used an excuse to cover up or explain a failure in your private, public, or vocational life?

I imagine that we have all been guilty of this.

Sometimes, our excuse is justified or has some merit, while at other times, we use it just to cover up or explain a failure in one or more areas of our lives.

You probably know where I am going with this.

What if we move this conversation over into the spiritual realm?

Have you ever provided or used an excuse to explain a failure in your spiritual life?

A moment ago, I noted that excuses sometimes are justified or have some merit in our private, public, or vocational life.

However, when we talk about using excuses to cover up or explain a failure in our spiritual lives, they are not justified, nor do they have any merit.

For most of us, we hate being put on the spot when we have failed to do something and do it in the way we were instructed. But, the truth be told, we can find all sorts of excuses not to obey God’s leading and voice.

Think about this:

When we offer excuses for our failures to obey or to follow God’s leading, we are, in essence, telling Him that it is too hard to completely and faithfully follow and obey His voice.

The Bible is full of examples of people providing excuses. One such time that always comes to my mind is with Adam and Eve.

Genesis 3:8-13 NAS95

They heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden.  [9]  Then the LORD God called to the man, and said to him, “Where are you?” [10]  He said, “I heard the sound of You in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid myself.” [11]  And He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?” [12]  The man said, “The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me from the tree, and I ate.” [13]  Then the LORD God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” And the woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”

Adam blames Eve, and Eve blames the serpent. They offer up excuses for their sin.

Moses offers up excuses when God calls him as the deliverer and leader of the Israelite nation in Exodus 3 and 4. When God addresses his concerns, Moses comes up with another.

God does not take no for an answer. The ending verses of Moses’ excuses are found in:

Exodus 4:12-16 NAS95

“Now then go, and I, even I, will be with your mouth, and teach you what you are to say.”  [13]  But he said, “Please, Lord, now send the message by whomever You will.”  [14]  Then the anger of the LORD burned against Moses, and He said, “Is there not your brother Aaron the Levite? I know that he speaks fluently. And moreover, behold, he is coming out to meet you; when he sees you, he will be glad in his heart.  [15]  “You are to speak to him and put the words in his mouth; and I, even I, will be with your mouth and his mouth, and I will teach you what you are to do.  [16]  “Moreover, he shall speak for you to the people; and he will be as a mouth for you and you will be as God to him.

God is not amused when we offer excuses.

Here’s something to remember:

When called by God to do something, most of us feel that we are inadequate for the task. I include myself in that statement.

However, God always equips us for the task.

God expects obedience - immediately - if we don’t obey, we are in danger of God’s wrath. This pertains to following both His commandments and His calling.

Let’s Pray,

Gracious Heavenly Father,

Help us to always be obedient in all areas of our lives.

Strengthen our resolve to serve You.

Guide our hearts and minds this day.

In the Name of Jesus,

Amen!