倘若有人問我們：「最近生活如何？」你可能會說︰「還算不錯。」你會否說：「最近我有很多經歷，我相信一切經歷的背後，都有神的計劃；祂在我的生命中工作，叫我得著成長。」

當以色列人回顧昔日在埃及的生活，他們會如何理解他們所經歷的一切呢？他們只能追溯到自己是從埃及被領出來的。但神卻比他們追溯得更遠，祂回想到他們的祖先雅各（3節）。雅各是一個狡猾的騙子，但神在他生命中工作，最終使他完全改變過來，並給他改名叫以色列。如今，神要同樣在雅各的後裔身上成就祂的工作，所不同者，是他的後裔已變成一個國家。

以色列人現在身在何方？他們聚集在西乃山的山腳。還記得嗎？神曾經應許摩西（出三12），他將以色列人從埃及領出來之後，必先到西乃山見祂。此刻，當摩西站在山下，想到神真的信守承諾，心情必然十分激動。

百姓是怎樣來到這裡的？當然是行走過來。可是，第4節卻說「我[神]如鷹將你們背在翅膀上，帶來歸我。」神為何這樣說呢？神的意思乃是：「沒有人可以憑著自己的能力來到這裡；只有我親自為你們開路，賜你們力量，你們才可以來到這裡。我為你們所成就的工作是無人可以比擬的。」

當你回顧過往的日子，你曾否有過類似的感喟嘆：「我真的不曉得自己是怎樣捱過那段日子的。我不知道從哪裡來的力量使我支撐得住。」那一定是主如鷹將你背在翅膀上經過的了。不管是在過去或現在，神都總是這樣看顧著我們。

請翻到以賽亞書四十章30、31節，神在那裡給予我們一個美好的應許。然後再看看本章第4節的最後一句：「帶來歸我」。這就是神永不改變的心意。神帶領我們經過人生的種種經歷，為的是引領我們去歸向祂。我們只要來到祂的面前親近祂，祂就心滿意足了。

反思：

天上的父神，一直等候我們去親近祂。

Day 9

PROGRESS REPORT

Exodus 19:1-9

1 In the third month after the children of Israel had gone out of the land of Egypt, on the same day, they came to the Wilderness of Sinai.

2 For they had departed from Rephidim, had come to the Wilderness of Sinai, and camped in the wilderness.So Israel camped there before the mountain.

3 And Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain, saying, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel:

4 ‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself.

5 Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine.

6 And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.”

7 So Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before them all these words which the LORD commanded him.

8 Then all the people answered together and said, “All that the LORD has spoken we will do.” So Moses brought back the words of the people to the LORD.

9 And the LORD said to Moses, “Behold, I come to you in the thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with you, and believe you forever.”
So Moses told the words of the people to the LORD.

Message

If you were asked 'what's been happening in your life recently?', what would you say? 'Nothing much', Would you ever say, 'There have been so many things happening that I can only believe God is working in our lives'.

What is the explanation of all that had happened to Israel since before they left Egypt.Where had they come from? Egypt. Yes, but God looked back past Egypt to Jacob from whom they had descended (v.3). God had taken Jacob, the trickster-the deceiver, and turned him into Israel, a prince with God. Now he was wanting to do the same with Jacob's family, even though it had now become a nation.

Where were they now? At Sinai. Remember God promised Moses (Exodus 3:12) that when the people of Israel had been delivered from Egypt, they would travel first of all to Sinai. What a thrill it must have been for Moses to stand there and realise that God had kept his word.

How had they come there? They walked. But in verse 4 God says he carried them on eagles' wings! What does God mean? "I bought you here in a way that is beyond the power of man. No-one else could have done what I have done for you.'

Have you ever looked back and said, 'I don't know how I ever came through all that I don't know where my strength wings. That is just the Lord himself carrying you on eagles' wings. That is just what he does, even today.

Turn to Isaiah 40:30, 31 and read God's beautiful promises there. Then look at the last part of verse 4 in our reading. God's purpose is still the same. He wants to use all the experiences of our lives to do just one thing- to draw us closer to himself. That is what he wants more than anything else.

A THOUGHT:
God is still the waiting father longing for our fellowship.