This is a Special Edit. Using the language of Philippians 1:6 and Matthew 5:16 quoted below: God Who began this good post, perfected it. God be glorified.
Today’s devotion comes from Exodus 2:11-15.
“Now it came about in those days, when Moses had grown up, that he went out to his brethren and looked on their hard labors; and he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his brethren. So he looked this way and that, and when he saw there was no one around, he struck down the Egyptian and hid him in the sand. He went out the next day, and behold, two Hebrews were fighting with each other; and he said to the offender, “Why are you striking your companion?” But he said, “Who made you a prince or a judge over us? Are you intending to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?” Then Moses was afraid and said, “Surely the matter has become known.”
When Pharaoh heard of this matter, he tried to kill Moses. But Moses fled from the presence of Pharaoh and settled in the land of Midian, and he sat down by a well.” Exodus 2:11-15.
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People are not as grateful as they should be.
In today’s Scripture, Moses learned that lesson. “And when he saw one of them being treated unjustly, he defended him and took vengeance for the oppressed by striking down the Egyptian. And he supposed that his brethren understood that God was granting them deliverance through him, but they did not understand.” Acts 7:24-25.
Likewise, when God appeared to Moses and called him to leadership, Moses had every reason to be grateful and jump into action considering all that God had done for him. God had saved Moses when he was a baby in a basket in the water among the reeds. God had raised him as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter with all the treasures of Egypt. God had educated him in all the learning of the Egyptians. Through God’s grace, Moses was “a man of power in words and deeds”. See Acts 7:20-22.
But, was Moses grateful and jump into action?
No, rather than be grateful and jump into action, notice Moses’ hesitation. “Then Moses said, “What if they will not believe me or listen to what I say? For they may say, ‘The LORD has not appeared to you.’” Exodus 4:1.
Did God reprimand Moses and say: “You should be more grateful for all that I did for you, and you should do what I command you out of gratitude.”?
No, here is the beginning of what God said and did. “The LORD said to him, “What is that in your hand?” And he said, “A staff.” Then He said, “Throw it on the ground.” So he threw it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from it. But the LORD said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand and grasp it by its tail” — so he stretched out his hand and caught it, and it became a staff in his hand — “that they may believe that the LORD, the God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you.” Exodus 4:2-5.
Man’s gratitude is not trustworthy to be the motivation to do good works.
But, there is hope!
In sharp contrast, God’s grace (namely, God’s work within us) is not only trustworthy, but is also a much more powerful cause, to bring forth our good works.
“9 “Remember the former things long past,
For I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is no one like Me,
10 Declaring the end from the beginning,
And from ancient times things which have not been done,
Saying, ‘My purpose will be established,
And I will accomplish all My good pleasure’;
11 Calling a bird of prey from the east,
The man of My purpose from a far country.
Truly I have spoken; truly I will bring it to pass.
I have planned it, surely I will do it.” Isaiah 46:9-11.
“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10.
“for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” Philippians 2:13.
“For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6.
Moreover, when we do those good works out of God’s grace, God is glorified (rather than man and man’s gratitude) for those good works.
“Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 