Exodus 4 - 6.17.26

Scripture: Exodus 4:10-13

Moses said to the Lord, “Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.”

The Lord said to him, “Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.”

But Moses said, “Pardon your servant, Lord. Please send someone else.”

Observation

God had literally just finished giving Moses a preview of His power. He showed Moses the miracles He was going to perform in front of Pharoah – He changed the staff into a snake and back into a staff, and He made Moses’ hand leprous and then restored it to health. Moses stood there in God’s presence, experiencing the power of God. And then he told that very same God that in spite of His power and His promise to empower Moses, He wouldn’t be able to use Moses to accomplish his purposes.

Application

Moses’ reaction seems incomprehensible. Can you imagine God performing miracles right in front of you and then not trusting Him to do what He promised? In other words – God, you might be able to change a piece of wood into a snake and heal leprosy, but you wouldn’t be able to give me the right words to say. His lack of faith!

But unfortunately, I see parallels with my own life. God has performed miracles in my life and kept His promises. And still, many times, I am too scared to share about what He’s done for me with others. In those instances, I am more worried about what other people think of me that what God thinks of me. Verse 14 says, “Then the Lord’s anger burned against Moses …” Moses ended up getting his way, God used someone else. But it doesn’t say at what cost – what blessing did Moses miss out on because of that lack of faith?

Prayer

God, thank you for giving us such a clear example in today’s reading – so clear that it seems ridiculous when I let my irrational fears win out over faith. Please forgive me and continue to strengthen my faith. And thank you for your redeeming love – that you can and will continue to use us (like you used Moses), in spite of our fears, failings, and shortcomings. Amen

- Debbie Dunn

Exodus 3 - 6.16.26

SCRIPTURE: Exodus 3:11-12

But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?”

And God said, “I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain.”

OBSERVATION

Moses had a supernatural encounter with God when he approached the burning bush in the wilderness. God told Moses about the promise that He gave to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. God had the plan to use Moses to fulfill that covenant. This seemed like an overwhelming, almost impossible task for Moses to complete in which he could not do in his own power. Moses was to approach the ruler of the most powerful kingdom of the time to release a multitude of slaves who were his people. God assured Moses that His presence would be a sign to him, the Israelites and even the Egyptians, and that He alone will receive the glory. 

APPLICATION

The most comforting words that we can hear is when God says, “I will be with you.” Christ can make the incapable capable and the impossible possible. This is where faith is to be applied. If God lays a pathway for us where the obstacles seem impossible to move, we have to trust in God to see us through the whole way. The Apostle Paul asked the Roman church that if God is for us, who can be against us (Romans 8:31)? Whatever calling, ministry, task, encounter, or interaction that God is calling us to, He will be with us. We have nothing to fear. 

PRAYER

Lord Jesus, I thank You for Your comforting words that You will be with us and will not forsake us. I pray that we encounter You in a mighty way to hear what You have in store for us. I know that You have an assignment for each of us, and I pray that we can hear You with clarity such as Moses did near the burning bush. I pray that You can strengthen our faith. In Matthew 17:20, You told the disciples that faith the size of a mustard seed can move mountains. We thank You for walking with us, beside us and most of all in front of us leading the way!

- Darrence Hamilton

Exodus 2 - 6.15.26

Scripture 

Exodus‬ ‭2‬:‭23‬-‭25‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“During that long period, the king of Egypt died. The Israelites groaned in their slavery and cried out, and their cry for help because of their slavery went up to God. God heard their groaning and he remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac and with Jacob. So God looked on the Israelites and was concerned about them.”

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Observation

Exodus 2 begins the story and the life of Moses. As the people were crying out and groaning about being slaves in Egypt, God was already working out His plan to deliver them and it began with Moses. 

Moses wasn’t a random guy who was birthed for no reason. He was already God’s plan in motion! God’s care and concern for His people is real.

Application 

God hears when we, His people cry out to Him for help. 

God is omniscient (all-knowing) and just like He heard the groans and remembered His covenant promises with the Israelites, He hears our groans, cannot forget His promises towards His people and is already working His plan behind the scenes.

When tempted to lose heart during trials (which happens a lot to me), let’s remember that God has heard every cry for help that we have lifted up to Him. He is already working out a plan, just like He did for the Israelites, out of concern for the Israelites. 

“Surely the righteous will never be shaken; they will be remembered forever. They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord. Their hearts are secure, they will have no fear; in the end they will look in triumph on their foes.” -Psalms 112:6-8 NIV

Prayer

Dear Lord,

Help me to see life through Your eyes. Help me remember that You have heard every cry, counted every tear and heard every prayer. Thank You that You love and care for each one of us so much and You are already working out some good things that we cannot see. Just like David said in Psalm 27:13-14, “I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” Amen. 

-Michelle Gaddi