Sunday, January 1, 2006

Synopsis of the Armenian Message

Exodus 33:12-19

“IF...”

Happy New Year! Shnorhavor Nor Daree! It is an Armenian tradition to celebrate the New Year’s Eve with the whole family and make good wishes to each other. As I grew up, I used to wait for that night. Santa would arrive from Ararad, and along with many gifts, he would bring us news from Armenia. We would all listen to him attentively and pray for Armenia. At midnight, we used to turn off the lights, sing Hayr Mer (the Lord’s Prayer) and give each other New Year’s wishes. There are people who think that if the first day of the year goes well, the whole year will. Some gamble to check their luck in the coming year. Many people who are curious about the future go to fortune tellers or read their books. These are only myths and mean nothing. In the Exodus passage, God gives Moses the most comforting promise for the future - the promise of guidance.

“My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest”

“If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us from here” (vs. 14, 15).

“If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways” (vs. 13).

“If they (people) obey and serve Him (God), they will spend the rest of their lives in prosperity” (Job 36:11).

“Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain” (Psalms 127:1).

“If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that” (James 4:15).

Five verses from four books in the Bible. All start with the word if (unless is translated if in Armenian). If is a conditional word. Any statement that starts with if implies an element of uncertainty. We don’t like that! It scares us. Maybe that’s why people consider fortune tellers, thinking they will feel “secure” knowing the future. The best guidance for the uncertain future is given by God. Let us find out from these verses:

1- Consider this conversation between God and Moses.

“My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest” (vs. 14).

“If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us from here” (vs. 15).

“If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways” (vs. 13).

God is concerned in revealing His ways to Moses. Moses is interested in finding God’s direction. He wants to be led by God. Unfortunately, the Israelites were not so eager to know the ways of the Lord. They just wanted to see the acts of the Lord. They just wanted to see the mighty miracles of the Lord. We read in Psalms 103:7 “He (God) made known his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel.” Unfortunately, many of us are not very much interested in the ways of the Lord. Why? It is tough to walk in His ways. It could be not the way you want. Yet, many are interested in the “deeds”, miracles, acts, of the Lord. There is nothing wrong in knowing the deeds of the Lord. But it is like eating the cake without baking it. Study the life of the Israelites in the OT. They always wanted some signs. God gave them signs and performed miracles. Yet, they were always complaining. But look at Moses; he was so close to God, God even called him “friend” (as a man speaks with his friend) (vs. 11).

What are you looking for in 2006?

Are you interested in His ways, or you just simply want to see His “deeds”?

In 2006, commit every day to Him and seek His ways for your life.