I have hidden Thy word in my heart.
(Picture by Lisa R)

Exodus 32. “Now it came to pass on the next day that Moses said to the people, ‘You have committed a great sin. So now I will go up to the Lord ; perhaps I can make atonement for your sin.’ Then Moses returned to the Lord and said, ‘Oh, these people have committed a great sin, and have made for themselves a god of gold! Yet now, if You will forgive their sin—but if not, I pray, blot me out of Your book which You have written.’ And the Lord said to Moses, ‘Whoever has sinned against Me, I will blot him out of My book. Now therefore, go, lead the people to the  place of which I have spoken to you. Behold, My Angel shall go before you. Nevertheless, in the day when I visit for punishment, I will visit punishment upon them for their sin.’” (Verses 30-34).  We are responsible for our own sins, for our own bad behavior and choices. Moses tried to stand in the gap for Israel’s sin, but God’s response was, “I will punish THEM for THEIR sins”. This is why what Christ did on the cross is such a wonderful gift. He accomplished what Moses could never do. He is able to stand in the gap for us. On the cross God punished Him for our sins (past, present, future). There is only one God and only one person who is able to bear our burdens FULLY. Therefore we have a choice: take full responsibility for our own sins, or accept Christ’s redemptive gift.