Most Christians would prefer to see God perform mighty miracles rather than have fellowship with Him and learn His ways.

Today's text says that God made known His mighty acts to the people od Israel, but to Moses He "made known His ways". One or two of our members have occasionally complained that God has not shown as many mighty miracles to the New Covenant Christians as He has to some Pentecostal groups but forget all too quickly that He has shown us, but not the Pentecostals, His ways.

Exodus 33 records a great crisis in which Moses humbly prayed: "if I have found grace in Your sight, show me now Your way." He wanted to know God and His plans for His people more than to see another mighty miracle. No wonder the Lord conversed with him "as a man speaks to his friend" (v.11).

Commenting on the difference between ways and acts, F.B. Meyer wrote: "Ways, or plans, are only made known to the inner circle of the saints; the ordinary congregation learns only His acts." Those who belong to the "inner circle" of the New Covenant Church of the Firstborn (or Holy Order) understand the Lord's ways; those who do not -- who do not understand the ways of the Lord -- have only acts to build their faith on. It is by this means that we distinguish between the "inner" and "outer" churches, and it is by this means that the New Covenant Church of God is distinguished from most other churches in the world.

A talented friend of Joanie's, Jennifer, learned this difference after spending several years in a wheelchair. One day she tearfully prayed, "Lord, I could have done so much for You, if only I could have been healthy." God's response was inaudible but clear: "Many people work for Me, but very few are willing to be My friend."

If you desire to know God personally more than you long to see His mighty miracles, you'll be satisfied._

Once it was the blessing, now it is the Lord;
Once it was the feeling, now it is His Word;
Once His gift I wanted, now the Giver own;
Once I sought for healing, now Himself alone.(Simpson)

This page was created on 12 May 1998 Last updated on 12 May 1998

Reproduced with Thanks