January 29
Today’s Reading
Exodus 23–24
Psalm 14
Acts 5
⸻
Scripture Focus
“See, I am sending an angel before you to protect you on your journey and lead you safely to the place I have prepared for you. Pay close attention to him, and obey his instructions. Do not rebel against him, for he is my representative, and he will not forgive your rebellion. But if you are careful to obey him, following all my instructions, then I will be an enemy to your enemies, and I will oppose those who oppose you…
You must serve only the Lord your God. If you do, I will bless you with food and water, and I will protect you from illness.”
(Exodus 23:20–22, 25 NLT)
“Terror will grip them, for God is with those who obey him.”
(Psalm 14:5 NLT)
“Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it aloud to the people. Again they all responded, ‘We will do everything the Lord has commanded. We will obey.’”
(Exodus 24:7 NLT)
⸻
Summary & Reflection
Moses stayed on the mountain forty days and forty nights:
“Moses stayed on the mountain forty days and forty nights.”
(Exodus 24:18 NLT)
Jesus later fasted and prayed forty days and forty nights in the wilderness:
“Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. He fasted forty days and forty nights.”
(Matthew 4:1–2 NLT)
This is not coincidence.
Moses went up to receive the covenant.
Jesus came down to fulfill it.
Everything God was doing in Exodus was pointing forward to Christ.
In Exodus 23, God promises to go before His people, to protect them, guide them, and fight for them — if they obey.
In Exodus 24, the people respond with one voice: “We will do everything the Lord has commanded. We will obey.”
Even though these laws may feel distant, they reveal something timeless:
God has always desired a people who reflect His heart — His values, His morals, His justice, His love, and His kindness.
The Law could not save them — only Jesus could —
but it showed them what was important to God and how His people were called to live holy and righteous lives.
God also knew how easily they would forget.
That is why He gave them celebrations — to remind them of what He had done.
That is why celebrating communion is so important.
And that is why we celebrate when we come together in worship and praise.
So what do we learn from these chapters?
That is why Psalm 14:5 says:
“Terror will grip them, for God is with those who obey him.”
The fear belongs to those who resist God — not to those who walk with Him.
And when obedience feels hard, God reminds us:
“So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.”
(Galatians 6:9 NLT)
Obedience does not make life easy, but it does make us secure, because God Himself goes before us.
⸻
Lesson for Me
When I read these verses, I see God’s heart.
He wants me to hide His Word in my heart and live set apart.
He wants me to value what He values —
important principles and guidelines for living that reflect who He is.
The Word says:
“Don’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
(Romans 12:2 NLT)
That is what reading these verses does for us —
they renew our minds and realign our hearts with God’s heart.
⸻
Application
•Where has obedience felt tiring or unnoticed in my life?
•What has God been asking me to obey that I have delayed?
•What part of my thinking needs to be renewed by His Word?
⸻
Prayer
Lord, thank You for going before me.
Help me not to grow weary in doing what is right.
Renew my mind, shape my heart, and help me live set apart for You.
I choose to trust You and walk in obedience, knowing You are with me.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
⸻
Journaling Reminder
Sit quietly with Jesus.
Listen for the Holy Spirit.
Write until your thoughts slow.
Reread what you wrote.
Begin with “My little lamb…” or “Dear daughter…”
and allow Him to show you what He wants to change or strengthen in you.
Today’s Reading
Exodus 23–24
Psalm 14
Acts 5
⸻
Scripture Focus
“See, I am sending an angel before you to protect you on your journey and lead you safely to the place I have prepared for you. Pay close attention to him, and obey his instructions. Do not rebel against him, for he is my representative, and he will not forgive your rebellion. But if you are careful to obey him, following all my instructions, then I will be an enemy to your enemies, and I will oppose those who oppose you…
You must serve only the Lord your God. If you do, I will bless you with food and water, and I will protect you from illness.”
(Exodus 23:20–22, 25 NLT)
“Terror will grip them, for God is with those who obey him.”
(Psalm 14:5 NLT)
“Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it aloud to the people. Again they all responded, ‘We will do everything the Lord has commanded. We will obey.’”
(Exodus 24:7 NLT)
⸻
Summary & Reflection
Moses stayed on the mountain forty days and forty nights:
“Moses stayed on the mountain forty days and forty nights.”
(Exodus 24:18 NLT)
Jesus later fasted and prayed forty days and forty nights in the wilderness:
“Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. He fasted forty days and forty nights.”
(Matthew 4:1–2 NLT)
This is not coincidence.
Moses went up to receive the covenant.
Jesus came down to fulfill it.
Everything God was doing in Exodus was pointing forward to Christ.
In Exodus 23, God promises to go before His people, to protect them, guide them, and fight for them — if they obey.
In Exodus 24, the people respond with one voice: “We will do everything the Lord has commanded. We will obey.”
Even though these laws may feel distant, they reveal something timeless:
God has always desired a people who reflect His heart — His values, His morals, His justice, His love, and His kindness.
The Law could not save them — only Jesus could —
but it showed them what was important to God and how His people were called to live holy and righteous lives.
God also knew how easily they would forget.
That is why He gave them celebrations — to remind them of what He had done.
That is why celebrating communion is so important.
And that is why we celebrate when we come together in worship and praise.
So what do we learn from these chapters?
That is why Psalm 14:5 says:
“Terror will grip them, for God is with those who obey him.”
The fear belongs to those who resist God — not to those who walk with Him.
And when obedience feels hard, God reminds us:
“So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.”
(Galatians 6:9 NLT)
Obedience does not make life easy, but it does make us secure, because God Himself goes before us.
⸻
Lesson for Me
When I read these verses, I see God’s heart.
He wants me to hide His Word in my heart and live set apart.
He wants me to value what He values —
important principles and guidelines for living that reflect who He is.
The Word says:
“Don’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
(Romans 12:2 NLT)
That is what reading these verses does for us —
they renew our minds and realign our hearts with God’s heart.
⸻
Application
•Where has obedience felt tiring or unnoticed in my life?
•What has God been asking me to obey that I have delayed?
•What part of my thinking needs to be renewed by His Word?
⸻
Prayer
Lord, thank You for going before me.
Help me not to grow weary in doing what is right.
Renew my mind, shape my heart, and help me live set apart for You.
I choose to trust You and walk in obedience, knowing You are with me.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
⸻
Journaling Reminder
Sit quietly with Jesus.
Listen for the Holy Spirit.
Write until your thoughts slow.
Reread what you wrote.
Begin with “My little lamb…” or “Dear daughter…”
and allow Him to show you what He wants to change or strengthen in you.
Type your new text here.