October Memory Verse
“Who among the gods is like you, LORD? Who is like you—majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?”
– Exodus 15:11 (NIV)
Whenever I read or hear anything from the book of Exodus, I can’t help but remember the first time my parents took me to see the movie The Ten Commandments starring Charlton Heston. I was 12 years old and although I was very familiar with the story from the Bible, the movie really made a lasting impression on me. I can only imagine how the Israelites felt in response to all the wonders God orchestrated to bring about their freedom. Although they were initially in awe, unfortunately they continued to show the weakness of their faith with their constant complaining and bickering. While we may not always be with the Lord, He is always with us—whether we deserve it or not.
Our October memory verse is attributed to Moses and is part of a song, or epic poem, that offers remembrance and praise to the Lord for His undying love for His chosen people. He heard their prayers for salvation, felt their anguish, and rescued them from over 400 years of oppression at the hands of the Egyptians. Moses asks, “What other powers, kings, or gods can do what You have done?” Clearly the answer is “no other.” After all, God created the heavens and the earth and all that dwell therein. To bring God’s wonderful plan to fruition as revealed to Abraham (Genesis 15:12-16), the Lord caused
10 plagues to rain down on Egypt, the most devastating being the death of their firstborn sons.
Later, God instructed the Israelites to memorialize the visit of the angel of death and their flight from Egypt by celebrating Passover each year (Exodus 12:1-30). The Israelites painted the blood of the paschal lamb on their door posts as a signal for the angel of death to spare them. In similar fashion, on the night before His death, Jesus (the Lamb of God) celebrated Passover with His disciples. His blood and body became our salvation. This first “Lord’s Supper” not only recognized God having saved the Israelites from bondage but also the tremendous sacrifice of His only Son to save the whole world from sin.
It seems that Moses’ rhetorical questions should have been self-evident to the children of Israel, but like many today, they had short memories. Their faithlessness was evidenced by their creation of the golden calf (Exodus 32:1-10) and the unworthy of their generation died out as they wandered aimlessly in the desert.
During our short time on this earth we are privileged to experience God’s wonders, love, kindness, and compassion. We see it on display in every sunset, every rainbow, every child that is born, every prayer that is answered. In the times when we need Him most, we must be faithful and remember that it is His will that is to be done and not ours. Thankfully, God always works for our benefit, whether we realize it or not.
Please join me in committing Moses’ wonderful poem to memory and, in doing so, recall the wondrous things the good Lord has done in our lives.
by Elder Mike Greene
