Dear Family,

Today is Monday, May 1, 2023. It is Day 23; and, Day 2 of Week 4 in our Count to Pentecost.

Perhaps the ancient Israelites were unclear about why they were being taken into the wilderness toward Mt. Sinai, rather than straight across the desert peninsula. Surely, they knew they were free from Egypt. They knew God had promised them a rich and abundant land; yet, what were they anticipating? Perhaps they did not realize what God had in mind.

Did they anticipate receiving of the law of God? Did they anticipate the special covenant they were being offered? Did they anticipate that God fully intended to test and to try them along the way to see their willingness to obey Him and worship Him as the Sovereign God He is?

Living today in this 21st century, we have the benefit of much hindsight, from history and from Scripture. And, it would be very wise for us to ask ourselves some of these same questions.

Now that these centuries have past, our Savior has come, we know the 10 Commandments, and we have received the gift of the Holy Spirit; are we anticipating receiving more and more understanding of the Law of God, which of course contains much more than God’s awesome and basic 10 Commandments. It is made of much more than the Torah. In fact, it is the entire Word of God.

Our Savior said man must live by every Word of God. And, He Himself is the Living Word of God Who continues to speak to us and teach us what the Father instructs.

Matthew 4:4 But He answered and said; It is written; Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

John 1:1-5, 14 (1) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (2) The same was in the beginning with God. (3) All things were made by Him; and without Him was not anything made that was made. (4) In Him was life; and the life was the light of men. (5) And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not…. (14) And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

May God bless us to anticipate more and more of God’s truth and all the other wonderful gifts He has for us today and everyday, at this Pentecost, and in the final day that will never end.

Ben Faulkner, Pastor
©2023, Church of the Sovereign God