Returning to God... His Grace and Mercy

Return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness; and He relents from doing harm. —Joel 2:13

Leaving God- The Israelites Complain

10 As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians, marching after them. They were terrified and cried out to the LORD. 11 They said to Moses, "Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? 12 Didn't we say to you in Egypt, 'Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians'? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!"

13 Moses answered the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. 14 The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still."-Exodus 14:10-14

The Israelites... slaves with whatever they could carry... are being pursued by the Egyptians soldiers who have chariots and armor and weapons. Of course, they're a bit nervous! Wouldn't you be? But... they are so frightened that they say things like, "Did you bring us out here to die? Is it because there weren't enough graves in Egypt? We would've died there... but we'll die here in the desert instead!"

The Israelites are afraid, and we often succumb to fear. But... we know that really we need only fear the Lord our God. He is in control. Moses tries to convince them that everything is in God's hands... something that I need to remind myself often.


Returning to God- They Sing His Praise

13 "In your unfailing love you will lead
the people you have redeemed.
In your strength you will guide them
to your holy dwelling. -Exodus 15:13

When Pharaoh's horses, chariots and horsemen [g] went into the sea, the LORD brought the waters of the sea back over them, but the Israelites walked through the sea on dry ground. 20 Then Miriam the prophetess, Aaron's sister, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women followed her, with tambourines and dancing. 21 Miriam sang to them:
"Sing to the LORD,
for he is highly exalted.
The horse and its rider
he has hurled into the sea." -Exodus 15:19-21

After God has parted the sea and brought them to safety, the Israelites dance and sing and rejoice. They are thankful and their faith in God's goodness is renewed. But also important is God's grace. Even to this unbelieving people who were so afraid and not trusting in God, the Lord was merciful and brought them through.

I felt this way on Sunday, when God lifted a huge burden off my heart... a weight that had been holding me back and making my heart so heavy. The Lord healed it for me, and it was fitting that 3 girls from the church presented a special music with dancing. It was the way I felt inside... joyful that my Father had taken care of my heart and soul once again... renewing my faith in His grace and mercy, despite the moments when I feel hopeless.



Leaving God- Peter Speaks Without Knowing the Answer

24After Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma tax came to Peter and asked, "Doesn't your teacher pay the temple tax[b]?"
25"Yes, he does," he replied.
When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak. "What do you think, Simon?" he asked. "From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes—from their own sons or from others?"

26"From others," Peter answered.

In the manner that we come to expect of Peter, he answers quickly without really knowing the truth of whether Jesus pays the taxes or not. But Jesus uses this as a teaching opportunity... asking who the kings collect their duty from. Jesus, as King, does not owe anything.


Returning to God- Jesus Provides, Telling Peter Where to Look for the Tax Money

"Then the sons are exempt," Jesus said to him. 27"But so that we may not offend them, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours."

But some do not recognize Jesus as King, so in order to hold true to the customs of the land, Jesus instructs Peter in how to obtain the tax money. Although Jesus provides what is needed, Peter must actively do something in order to receive it.

This passage can also be interpreted another way. In the Old Covenant, we are not direct children of God... we have been separated by sin, so the atonements of sacrifices in the Old Testament can be seen as the "taxes" that we pay. But, Jesus came and paid the tax for our sin, making us once again children of God... debt-free. Now, we (the Lord's children) are exempt.

Additionally, we need to obey the laws of the land, as we live as "strangers" even in our own home among our own people. Following our Lord makes us all alien to the ways of the world in a certain way. Still, we must pay 'to Caesar what is Caesar's' and recognize that God will provide a means. This does not mean that we should be lazy, however... we need to go and do the work God has given to us... and He will provide.