From Glory to Glory - Tablets
A Lenten Thought
Almost everyone on the planet has some form of electronic device. Whether it’s a computer, laptop, cell phone, or, ‘tablet’ of some kind. They have become regular, and often consuming, parts of life.
In actual fact, Moses had the first two tablets.
Exodus 24:12 (ESV) tells us, “The Lord said to Moses, “Come up to me on the mountain and wait there, that I may give you the tablets of stone, with the law and the commandment, which I have written for their instruction.””
Exodus 31:18 (ESV) tells us, “And he gave to Moses, when he had finished speaking with him on Mount Sinai, the two tablets of the testimony, tablets of stone, written with the finger of God.”
Why is this important? You would think that such an awesome and direct display of God’s instruction would motivate anyone to follow His instructions.
God led them out of Egyptian slavery, delivered them through the Red Sea, and then led them into the wilderness.
Yet, despite all of these provisions from God to lead and guide the children of Israel, they continually showed their human nature by questioning God and at times rebelling against God.
Why? Because they had an external device reference of God (the tablets of stone), not an internal one (their hearts).
Hebrews 8:8-10 (ESV) states:
8For he finds fault with them when he says: “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will establish a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah,
9not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt. For they did not continue in my covenant, and so I showed no concern for them, declares the Lord.
10For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.”
God knew He needed to write His commands upon the ‘tablets’ of our hearts to really be able to live according to His ways.
Proverbs 3:1-4 encourage us to do so:
1My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments,
2for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you.
3Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart.
4So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man.
And, Proverbs 7:1-3 state:
1My son, keep my words and treasure up my commandments with you;
2keep my commandments and live; keep my teaching as the apple of your eye;
3bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart.
For good or evil purposes, today’s ‘tablets’ are designed to draw people in.
Endless scrolling numbs the mind, and, may also sometimes nefariously lead to deeper and darker places than ever thought possible.
Little by little, ‘tablets’ can replace the desire for God, even just through stealing away time that should really be spent with God, ultimately undermining our relationship with Him meant to bring life and life more abundantly.
As the saying goes, ‘Garbage in/Garbage out’.
Whether you believe in the practice of Lent or not, as it approaches, consider putting aside the ‘tablet’ that consumes more of you than you really thought was possible. If this seems like a ridiculous request, then check your heart. There may be an issue there.
What are you currently writing on your ‘tablet’?
Replace that time spent on your ‘tablet’ with time spent with God in His Word, seeking His Presence daily, and, surrendering all to Him. Let Him write His redeeming and life-giving instructions and commandments on your heart instead.
Of course, that may not be easy. The enemy won’t give up without a fight. However, James 4:7,8 (ESV) tell us to:
7Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
8Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.
Purposely choose to become a letter from Christ, written by the Spirit of God, so the world can truly see what eternal life with Christ is all about.
2Corinthians 3:3 (ESV) tells us that, “…you show that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.”