Exodus 19 - 5.1.24

Scripture

"You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself." Exodus 19:4

Observation

The Lord has brought the children of Israel out of slavery in Egypt, with a mighty hand. He has split the red sea, rained manna from heaven for them to eat, and brought water from the rock. Now the Israelites have reached Mount Sinai, and the Lord is about to give Moses the Ten Commandments. The Lord says to Moses, tell the children of Israel that I carried you on eagle’s wings. The imagery here is of an eagle carrying its little eaglets on its strong wings, safely to its destination. Now, think of the journey from the vantage point of an Israelite. Before each of these miracles, there was a point of utter anxiety and pain. They came out of Egypt joyfully, and reached the red sea. While relaxing on the beach, they saw the armies of Egypt behind them. They were caught between the sea and the enemy, and they thought that death was certain. But the Lord delivered them by opening up the sea, and let their enemies perish in the sea. During their journey, they ran out of food that they brought from Egypt. They thought that they would starve in the wilderness! Again, the Lord took care of them by providing manna from heaven everyday. On another occasion, they ran out of water, and they thought they would die from thirst. God provided water from the rock. At Mount Sinai, the Lord looks back at their journey and says, “see I carried you on eagles’ wings”. The Lord was carrying the children of Israel on His wings all the time. He never intended for them to perish in the wilderness. He had already planned for their provision and protection. He was always holding them. There was no need for them to panic and get anxious and fear for their lives. Their God was with them, holding them.

Application

Remember that the Lord has promised to carry us, even till our old age (Isaiah 46:4). He is our refuge, and underneath are His everlasting arms (Deut 33:27). Our life on earth is not meant to be a bed of roses. Jesus said that in this world, we will have trouble (John 16:33). When you face those unexpected forks in the road, and the crises in life, remember that your Father is holding you. You are not alone. Every day of your life is written in His book even before you were born (Psalms 139:16). He who called you is faithful (1 Thess 5:24). Even though we might walk through the valley of the shadow of death, we have no need to fear, because He is with us (Psalms 23:4). Look back at your life, and remember how he has carried you on eagles’ wings and praise him because you are still on His eagles’ wings. He who began a good work in you is faithful to complete it (Phil 1:6).

Prayer

Father, I thank you because you have carried me on eagles’ wings. When I look back at my life, I see your miraculous hand of deliverance and help. You were always with me. Thank you because you have a plan for my life, and I can trust you. Thank you because you are with me always. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil 4:13). When I face difficult situations, help me to remember that I am your child, and that you are holding me. Thank you because I can trust you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

- Asha Chacko George

Psalm 130 - 4.30.24

SCRIPTURE:  Psalm 130:5,6 “I wait for Yahweh; I wait and put my hope in His Word.  I wait for the Lord more than watchman for the morning - more than watchman for the morning.”

OBSERVATION:  The psalmist cried out from the depths of despair for God to listen to his voice, and to be attentive to the cry of his heart.  He was awaiting redemption.    "Yahweh, if You considered sins, Lord, who could stand?  But with You there is forgiveness, so that You may be revered." ("This psalm projects up ahead in God's unfolding redemption.  Though the author certainly did not understand fully what his words were pointing to, the forgiveness he wrote about was accomplished in the coming of the Messiah").  (Gene Getz).  

APPLICATION:  Like the psalmist, when I have experienced grief or sorrow, depression or guilt over sin, it can pull me down if I don't look up to God.  It can make me feel distant from Him, but EVERY time I have called out to the Lord, He has met me in my time of need with His mercy, grace, forgiveness, and redemption.  

PRAYER:  Thank You Lord that prayer has been the key that's kept us close. 

"I called on Your name Lord, from the depths of the pit, You heard my plea... You came near when I called out to You, and You said, "Do not fear."  (Lamentations 3:55,57). 

Those times I've waited for You, even when it wasn't easy, it has always been worth it because I know You are in control, and have always been faithful to use every situation to teach me what is best.  And as I continue to wait and learn, and to trust You through each and every trial that is up ahead,  I know that I don't have to fear because You are with me. "I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in His Word I put my hope".  

Like a watchman waits all through the night knowing that the morning will eventually come, I wait for You Lord. 

While I'm waiting, and because of the love and forgiveness You have shown me, I pray I will be like the psalmist by spreading the word to others that they too can experience forgiveness because of Your unfailing love and the full redemption from all their sins, which is available to all who sincerely ask. Amen

- Robin Orefice

Exodus 17 - 4.29.24

Scripture

‭Exodus‬ ‭17‬:‭10‬-‭12‬ ‭NLT

”So Joshua did what Moses had commanded and fought the army of Amalek. Meanwhile, Moses, Aaron, and Hur climbed to the top of a nearby hill. As long as Moses held up the staff in his hand, the Israelites had the advantage. But whenever he dropped his hand, the Amalekites gained the advantage. Moses’ arms soon became so tired he could no longer hold them up. So Aaron and Hur found a stone for him to sit on. Then they stood on each side of Moses, holding up his hands. So his hands held steady until sunset.“

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Observation

While the Israelites were at a place called Rephidim, they were attacked by some warriors of Amalek. Moses then instructs Joshua to go and assemble some men to fight the warriors of Amalek. While the battle was being fought, Moses, Aaron, and Hur found a nearby hill to climb. It was on top of this hill that Moses was holding the staff of God in his hands. And whenever Moses raised the staff, the Israelites were winning the battle. But whenever Moses’ arms grew tired, and his hands began to drop, the Amalekites would start winning. Aaron and Hur noticing this, then found a stone for Moses to sit and rest on, and they stood on each side of Moses, holding up his hands during the battle. Needless to say, the Israelites overwhelmed the Amalekites and defeated them in battle.

Application

Teamwork makes the dream work.

Imagine if Moses, at his ripe old age, tried going out there on the battlefield that day to fight the Amalekites. 🤔 I mean, sure he had the staff of God with him, but those Amalekite warriors could have easily overpowered him and either knocked the staff out of his hands, or even straight up took the staff from him. Then what?!

But Moses, being the great leader of the Israelites that he was, knew he needed help…help from God, and help from other people. He picked a strong young man like Joshua to assemble an army of warriors to fight the Amalekites. He needed Aaron to help him speak to the people of Israel because he had a stuttering problem and hated public speaking. (I can relate with Moses on that one 😆.) And on the battlefield that day, the Israelites needed a total team effort if they were to be victorious against the Amalekites. They needed Joshua and his army to go out there and actually do the fighting. They needed Moses to go on top of that hill to raise the staff of God. And Moses needed help from Aaron and Hur to keep his hands raised until victory was given to the Israelites.

Could God have given the Israelites victory over the Amalekites that day all by Himself? Of course He could have! But more times than not, God requires a partnership/relationship in our lives in order to accomplish His mission. Not only do we need a strong partnership/relationship with Him, but we need a strong partnership/relationship with other believers if we are to fulfill God’s mission. No man is an island. We’re not meant to be like Rambo out there, facing life alone. God designed each of us for relationship and community with Himself, and with others. God has blessed each of us with our individual strengths and talents. We are to use these gifts to build one another up in the faith, to encourage and pray for one another, and to help lighten the load of ministry work for each other. It’s like the saying goes, “many hands make light work.”

So let me encourage everyone out there reading this to be part of the team…God’s team. We have a mission to Love God, Love People, Make Disciples. So if you are not part of serving in ministry at church, what are you waiting for?! Be part of something bigger than ourselves! Let’s use the gifts and talents that God has given us to come together, and have God’s will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven.

”Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.“

‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭4‬:‭9‬-‭12‬

Prayer

”He said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.”“-Matthew‬ ‭9‬:‭37‬-‭38‬ ‭

Father God, thank You for entrusting me to partner with You on this very important mission of seeing people come to know Jesus. Forgive me for not being more purposeful about it sometimes. Thank You for the people You surround me with at DSC, people who are like-minded in fulfilling Your will. I pray for continued strength and boldness of our faith to carry on this work You have given us. But I especially pray for more workers to help join us in these mission fields. May You instill in people’s hearts who aren’t serving in ministry yet, a desire to serve You and to serve others. May we come together in harmony to accomplish the mission that You have set out for us. May we be encouraged by one another. May it help lighten the load for those who are carrying more than their share. I thank You in advance for You provision. In Jesus name I pray, Amen. 🙏🏽

-Moses Gaddi