Text: Exodus 32:15-24
Memory verse:
“There is a generation that is pure in its own eyes, Yet is not washed from its filthiness.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭30‬:‭12‬ ‭
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One indispensable way to overcome excuse making habit is to start taking responsibility for your actions or inactions, decisions or indecisions and even your life, rather than blaming others. Mark Zuckerberg, co-founder and CEO of Facebook took personal responsibility before the US senate when questioned about Facebook’s ability to protect users. He said, “We didn’t do enough to prevent these tools from being used for harm as well”. He admitted Facebook’s lack of oversight.
In our text for today, we see a clear opposite. Aaron made excuses to deny his part in the apostasy. He failed in his obligation as a leader to guide and lead the people. He yielded to the pressure, collected their golds, melted them and molded a golden calf to represent their god. He even went ahead to build an altar and proclaimed the next day as a day of worship before the calf (Exo 32:4-6).Yet, when questioned, he denied his role and shifted blame to the people. “So Aaron said, “…You know the people, that they are set on evil. So they gave it to me, and I cast it into the fire, and this calf came out.” ‭‭(Exo‬ ‭32‬:‭22‬, 24‬). Notice the height of his coverup “.. I cast it into the fire, and this calf came out.” Aaron never accepted personal responsibility. It’s easy to blame others, making excuses such as these – He/she caused it; nobody is perfect; I had no other option; it’s just once; it’s my nature; I was forced or deceived; I got it wrong etc.
Friends, it doesn’t matter your unpleasant experiences in the past, you are not a failure if you can stop denying your responsibility and stop blaming others.

Prayer points
1. Father, please help me to always accept responsibility rather than shifting blames or covering up in Jesus name.
2. Father, make me stronger than my strongest excuse in Jesus name.

Today’s declarations

1. Leadership is about taking responsibility and not making excuses.
2. I own up when I am wrong or fail in my obligation rather than shifting blame.

Contact: pastor@thf.org.ng