倘若有人问我们：「最近生活如何？」你可能会说︰「还算不错。」你会否说：「最近我有很多经历，我相信一切经历的背后，都有神的计划；祂在我的生命中工作，叫我得着成长。」

当以色列人回顾昔日在埃及的生活，他们会如何理解他们所经历的一切呢？他们只能追溯到自己是从埃及被领出来的。但神却比他们追溯得更远，祂回想到他们的祖先雅各（3节）。雅各是一个狡猾的骗子，但神在他生命中工作，最终使他完全改变过来，并给他改名叫以色列。如今，神要同样在雅各的后裔身上成就祂的工作，所不同者，是他的后裔已变成一个国家。

以色列人现在身在何方？他们聚集在西乃山的山脚。还记得吗？神曾经应许摩西（出三12），他将以色列人从埃及领出来之后，必先到西乃山见祂。此刻，当摩西站在山下，想到神真的信守承诺，心情必然十分激动。

百姓是怎样来到这里的？当然是行走过来。可是，第4节却说「我[神]如鹰将你们背在翅膀上，带来归我。」神为何这样说呢？神的意思乃是：「没有人可以凭着自己的能力来到这里；只有我亲自为你们开路，赐你们力量，你们才可以来到这里。我为你们所成就的工作是无人可以比拟的。」

当你回顾过往的日子，你曾否有过类似的感喟叹：「我真的不晓得自己是怎样挨过那段日子的。我不知道从哪里来的力量使我支撑得住。」那一定是主如鹰将你背在翅膀上经过的了。不管是在过去或现在，神都总是这样看顾着我们。

请翻到以赛亚书四十章30、31节，神在那里给予我们一个美好的应许。然后再看看本章第4节的最后一句：「带来归我」。这就是神永不改变的心意。神带领我们经过人生的种种经历，为的是引领我们去归向祂。我们只要来到祂的面前亲近祂，祂就心满意足了。

反思：

天上的父神，一直等候我们去亲近祂。

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.