How Quickly we Forget God

Scripture: Then Moses went up, also Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel, and they saw the God of Israel. And there was under His feet as it were a paved work of sapphire stone, and it was like the very heavens in its clarity. But on the nobles of the children of Israel He did not lay His hand. So they saw God, and they ate and drank. Exodus 24:9-11

Observation: After the Lord has given Moses instruction about various topics and clarifications around the commandments, he holds a feast in which ... 74 Israelites attend and see the Lord. Moses, Aaron, Aaron's two oldest sons, and 70 elders all see God, and eat and drink a meal in his presence. They also see a glimpse into heaven, perceiving a beauty that is difficult to describe and supernatural in its glory.

In about a month, these same people will decide that Moses has taken too long in his conversation with God, and will build a golden calf. Aaron will lead this himself, requested by the people but certainly surrounded by the elders. They will declare that calf to be God and worship it. After being personally greeted by the Lord himself, seeing him, being provided for by him, and glimpsing heaven itself ... they turn away from that experience in just a matter of weeks.

Application: I do this almost daily. I know everything the Lord has done for me, and then I will ignore and forget him for days at a time. I feel strongly connected to God after reading his word, and pray thanks for everything he has done in my life to deliver and guide me ... then I ignore him, commit sin without thought, seek to solve problems without prayer, and in general forget God.

It is shocking to discover that 74 people met God in person, and reverted to their own ways in 40 days. However, I have experienced God in my life in many ways, and I revert to old ways, maybe in weeks, maybe in days, but maybe even in hours.

Prayer: Lord, please forgive me for my 'golden calves', for failing to keep your love and precepts front-and-center in my mind and my life day-by-day. I forget you moment by moment, please forgive me for that. I desire to keep you as the purpose of my life not just as a high-level concept, but in every moment, every action, and every thought. Thank you for how you have loved me and guided my life, and I seek to never forget that. Amen.