Monday, February 16, 2026

             God is God.  That three-word sentence seems obvious or even redundant.  But God is God.  Some may say this sentence can also seem a little trivial for the beginning of a devotion.  But I assure you that is a profound theological statement.  It is one of the most important truths that we can declare.  Say it to yourself, “God is God.”  This truth was vitally important in the book of Exodus as Israel adjusted to a new life outside of and apart from Egypt.  As you will recall, God led Israel out of both captivity and slavery through the Exodus.  Near the end of the book of Exodus, we find a familiar and often-repeated refrain that reads like this, “as the LORD commanded” (Exodus 40:21b and cited multiple other places in Exodus).  Four simple words...simple words to read and see.  But again, a powerfully important theological truth.  A few lessons stand out for us to see.
            First, the Bible teaches us that God is the LORD.  LORD in all capital letters is God’s holy and self-revealed name.  It is the name that God gave to Moses at the burning bush. LORD means the great “I AM” or “the One who causes all things to be.”  There is but one God who sovereignly reigns over the universe.  There is only one great I AM who has made all things and rules and reigns as He chooses and pleases.  He is eternal and timeless. God reserves the right to make the rules of the universe and even how we are to approach Him. Throughout Exodus, God imparted this truth to Israel through Moses.  It was His grace alone that spared humanity from destruction time after time.  
            Second, the LORD calls us to be faithful in all things—even in the details of life.  Some of the instructions in Exodus may sound like quite ordinary things for us when we read them—even more than once.  But nothing is ordinary where God has chosen to work. Nothing is ordinary where God has given instructions and established His expectations. God is not ordinary.  God is God.  He calls us to obedience and faithfulness in the many ordinary things that we do.  God gave Israel very specific and detailed commands to follow in setting up the Tabernacle and making the priestly garments. God often tests us in some details as a way of providing us with the chance to prove ourselves worthy or great responsibilities and opportunities.  Jesus said in Luke 16:10, “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.”  God increases our ways and places to serve when we are faithful with what He has already entrusted.
            Third, God can be found in the details—even details we might be inclined to miss or overlook.  For example, in Leviticus 11-13, God gave Israel a series of specific directions about clean/unclean food, purification processes and skin diseases.  When we read these chapters, we might feel weighed down by details and the minutiae.  But we have to ask the larger question of why this information has been inspired by the Holy Spirit and included in the Bible?  Are we accountable to such detail-laden commands today?  The good news is Jesus perfectly kept the law of God for us.  We cannot keep the law completely and perfectly, but Jesus did that on our behalf.  His obedience is credited to us as if we did keep the law of God without failure or blemish.  Still, these details are found in Scripture to help us see the sovereignty of God and His Lordship over all creation.  In building Israel as a light to all nations and the nation from which Jesus, the Messiah, would emerge, God left nothing to chance.  He wanted Israel to be so different and distinct that all nations and people would pay attention to the way Israel lived, worshipped and served the LORD.  And even today, we are called to live and to be distinct as followers of Christ.  We are to live in a way that others see Jesus in us and desire to know and follow Him because of us.  Yes, the details do matter...and so do the details God has for how we live each day.  Every occasion or moment of life is a chance to know Christ and to make Him know.  Live gratefully today! Have a great Monday!