~ by Terry Walters
Exodus 32:1-15
“While the cat’s away, the mice will play!”
It's an old saying, but it's so true.
We have a sinful nature that is so easily
influenced to go astray when authority,
leaders, or even restrictions are absent.
I remember once when we were young
that my parents left us home on our own.
One of the main rules was “no throwing
the football” (or other balls
for that matter) in the house.
Naturally, after Mom and Dad left,
we started throwing the ball around.
After all they were gone - they'd
never know! Well, we broke a
large vase and tried to glue it
back together, but
it just didn't look the same!
Yes, we got into trouble.
The Israelites were like us, only worse!
They not only disobeyed, but made
an idol to worship instead of God!
Moses was gone a long time getting the
Commandments from God. When he
returned, he found the Israelites involved
in a big sinful celebration in the camp!
God punished and people repented.
We should learn from their mistakes.
We need to establish godly practices
to help us stay faithful, even
when our leaders are somewhere else.
Bible study, prayer, healthy safe activities,
godly associations, and accountability
partners - just to name a few.
Just some ways to avoid “sin in the camp!”
Prayer: Dear Lord, forgive us when we sin.
In the meantime, help us have the sense
to follow Your word even when we don't
have someone else watching over us.
After all, You are always watching
over us and that ought to be enough!
P.S. We used to lead worship
at a children’s camp in Arkansas.
After the last service in the evening,
half of the counselors would go
get a snack in the dining hall
while the others watched the kids
before it was time to retire for the night.
One night, we slipped up and all
the counselors were getting a snack.
No One was watching over the kids in the camp!
A massive pillow fight broke out!
That doesn’t’ sound too bad, but some
kids began putting rocks in the pillowcases!
Fortunately, a couple of kids came
to the dining hall to report in!
For us, it was the sound of war in the camp!
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