By Mike Caton

Exodus 16:27, “Nevertheless, some of the people went out on the seventh day to gather it, but they found none.”

Isn’t that so typical? Moses had given the people the clear instructions from the Lord and some folks still didn’t listen or obey. I can almost see Moses looking out at those folks, standing there with his head in his hand. You know he has to be disappointed, and frustrated. He has just given them the word from God, and these folks are doing exactly what God told them not to do.

Maybe we can understand his frustration. We’ve all been in Moses’ sandals, haven’t we? Maybe in dealing with our children, maybe dealing with coworkers, maybe with friends who simply refuse to do the right thing, if you are a preacher I know you have had this feeling. But what are you going to do? We all know we cannot make folks do anything.

And how do you think it makes God feel when he looks down at us and sees us doing the same things. And when I say us, I am not simply referring to mankind in general, but me and you specifically. We know we fall short, and don’t listen to God or do what he has told us to do. We all need to pay closer attention, we need to be more faithful to God’s commands. We might try to justify it or explain it or excuse it and we probably have a list of reasons that it is OK. But the bottom line is, we are not doing what God has told us to do. And we need to change, to repent.

Father, help me not be a hard head. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Mike Caton is the preacher at Mount Olive Church of Christ in Belhaven. He volunteers at the Ponzer Fire Department and works full time with Hyde County EMS. If you would like to receive daily devotions in your inbox, email mikecaton@centurylink.net.

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