Today’s Reading: Exodus 15:22 – 17:7; Psalm 78

God displayed His mighty power in a big way for the Israelites when He parted the Red Sea and saved them from the Egyptians. They went from a life of slavery and harsh treatment to freedom with the knowledge that God was watching over them. Even with this magnificent evidence of God’s provision, it only took the Israelites three days before they began to moan and complain.

For he divided the sea and led them through,
making the water stand up like walls!
In the daytime he led them by a cloud,
and all night by a pillar of fire.
He split open the rocks in the wilderness
to give them water, as from a gushing spring.
He made streams pour from the rock,
making the waters flow down like a river!
Yet they kept on sinning against him,
rebelling against the Most High in the desert.
They stubbornly tested God in their hearts,
demanding the foods they craved. — Psalm 78:13-18

After a 3-day journey through the desert without water, the Israelites arrived at the oasis of Marah. But their excitement over the discovery of water was short-lived when they found the water to be too bitter to drink. Not unlike the water, bitterness settled into the attitudes of God’s people and they began to complain. God showed Moses a piece of wood to throw into the water, making the water good to drink. He put before them a standard to test their faithfulness.

“If you will listen carefully to the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in his sight, obeying his commands and keeping all his decrees, then I will not make you suffer any of the diseases I sent on the Egyptians; for I am the Lord who heals you.” — Exodus 15:26

God wants us to trust Him in the biggest battles we are facing, but also in the smallest moments of need. If God can release the waters to rush over our enemies, He can cure the bitter taste life is leaving in our mouth. He is the Lord who heals and the Lord who provides, but He also calls us to listen and obey.

After leaving Marah, the Israelites traveled on to the oasis of Elim, where they found twelve springs and seventy palm trees. They camped there beside the water. — Exodus 15:27

Not only did the Lord heal the waters, he brought them to an area I would describe as paradise to rest for a time. But this “vacation” did not last long, and they were soon back on the road. After a month of traveling through the wilderness, the Israelites started complaining that they were hungry. They began to look back and wish for their old life and the pleasures they experienced in Egypt. The Lord heard their complaints and laid out His plan for provision and another standard to test their faithfulness.

Each evening, God would provide quail for His people to eat but He commanded them not to save any leftovers — to trust Him for what they would need tomorrow. Each morning as the dew lifted, the ground would be covered with manna for the people to gather. The Lord again commanded them not to save any leftovers, but to trust Him for what they would need in the future.

I PROVIDED FOR YOU YESTERDAY,
I AM PROVIDING FOR YOU TODAY AND
I WILL PROVIDE FOR YOU TOMORROW.

Exodus 17 tells of another time when God came through for His people. “Give us water to drink!” The complaining turned to demanding, and Moses cried out to the Lord. God responded by equipping Moses with the leadership needed to help God’s people.

The Lord said to Moses, “Walk out in front of the people. Take your staff, the one you used when you struck the water of the Nile, and call some of the elders of Israel to join you. I will stand before you on the rock at Mount Sinai. Strike the rock, and water will come gushing out. Then the people will be able to drink.” So Moses struck the rock as he was told, and water gushed out as the elders looked on. — Exodus 17:5-6

I WILL STAND BEFORE YOU ON THE ROCK.

I love how God made His presence known to Moses. He did not just give him instructions to follow, He was right there with Moses during this big moment of faith. The people had been saying, “Is the Lord here with us or not?” (17:7) God answered this question with an action — with both provision and presence.

Lord, we praise you for being the God who so faithfully provides for us in time of need. Thank you for the reminder that you are the God who heals our bitterness and the God who quenches our thirst. Give us ears to listen to your voice as you lead us through the challenges of life; may we never question your presence. Give us the faith needed to trust you during the biggest battles and the smallest challenges. Amen.

Today’s Reading: Exodus 15:1-21, Psalm 105

Then the waters returned and covered all the chariots and charioteers—the entire army of Pharaoh. Of all the Egyptians who had chased the Israelites into the sea, not a single one survived. But the people of Israel had walked through the middle of the sea on dry ground, as the water stood up like a wall on both sides. That is how the Lord rescued Israel from the hand of the Egyptians that day. And the Israelites saw the bodies of the Egyptians washed up on the seashore. When the people of Israel saw the mighty power that the Lord had unleashed against the Egyptians, they were filled with awe before him. They put their faith in the Lord and in his servant Moses. — Exodus 14:29-31

They had experienced great fear that day; they had run for their lives as their enemy pursued them. But this was also the day when they stood on the edge of the Red Sea and watched the bodies of their enemies wash up onto the shore. If the plagues had not convinced them, they were now certain that their God was mighty and powerful. They lifted up their voices in praise to the God who knew EVERYTHING they had gone through in Egypt and EVERYTHING they dreamed their future might be. They had begged God to do something, and found out that their God can do anything!

“Your right hand, O Lord, is glorious in power.
Your right hand, O Lord, smashes the enemy.
In the greatness of your majesty, you overthrow those who rise against you.
You unleash your blazing fury; it consumes them like straw.
At the blast of your breath, the waters piled up!
The surging waters stood straight like a wall;
in the heart of the sea the deep waters became hard.

“The enemy boasted, ‘I will chase them and catch up with them.
I will plunder them and consume them.
I will flash my sword; my powerful hand will destroy them.’
But you blew with your breath, and the sea covered them.
They sank like lead in the mighty waters.

“Who is like you among the gods, O Lord—
glorious in holiness, awesome in splendor, performing great wonders?
You raised your right hand, and the earth swallowed our enemies.
With your unfailing love you lead the people you have redeemed.
In your might, you guide them to your sacred home.” — Exodus 15:6-13

Imagine what this experience was like for Miriam. She had watched as her mother placed the basket in the Nile River and walked away (Exodus 2). It was now her responsibility to watch from a distance. She had come to love her baby brother over the last three months, and now she was part of her parents’ plan to save him from those who had been ordered to kill all the baby boys. Imagine the emotions that she might have experienced as the royal entourage came down to the riverbank to bathe — fear, worry, love, hope.

When the princess saw the basket among the reeds, she sent her maid to get it for her. When the princess opened it, she saw the baby. The little boy was crying, and she felt sorry for him. “This must be one of the Hebrew children,” she said. — Exodus 2:5b-6

The princess recognized that this baby had been sentenced to death. As I place myself in Miriam’s position, I imagine her heart was racing and her palms were sweating as she watched in anticipation of what the princess would do next. She boldly approached the princess, volunteering to find a Hebrew woman to nurse the crying baby. Her bravery and smart thinking resulted in the reunion of her mother with her precious baby brother.

Now Miriam was again standing on the shore of the water, her heart racing from what she, too, had experienced when God provided a dry path for the Israelites to walk across the Red Sea. She had watched as the same uniforms that had gone door to door yanking babies from the arms of their mothers were now lifeless on the surface of the water and on the sand of the seabank. As Moses and the people around her finished their song, Miriam grabbed a tambourine and sang these confident lyrics:

“Sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously;
he has hurled both horse and rider into the sea.” — Exodus 15:21

Generations later, the psalmist retold the story of that special day in the history of God’s people — a story that continues to remind us of all our God is capable of. Let’s stand on the shore of all God has done for us, and join the psalmist in singing God’s praise this morning.

Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness.
Let the whole world know what he has done.
Sing to him; yes, sing his praises.
Tell everyone about his wonderful deeds.
Exult in his holy name; rejoice, you who worship the Lord.
Search for the Lord and for his strength;
continually seek him.
Remember the wonders he has performed,
his miracles, and the rulings he has given,
you children of his servant Abraham,
you descendants of Jacob, his chosen ones.
He is the Lord our God.
His justice is seen throughout the land.
He always stands by his covenant—
the commitment he made to a thousand generations. — Psalm 105:1-8

Today’s Reading: Exodus 13:17–14:31

God led them in a roundabout way through the wilderness toward the Red Sea. – Exodus 13:18a

When Pharoah finally let the Israelites go, God did not lead them along the main road. He did not take them down the shortest path to their destination. He took them in a roundabout way. The Lord went ahead of them, guiding them during the day with a pillar of cloud and at night with a pillar of fire. At one point He even told them to doubleback and camp along the shore, and they obeyed.

GOD MADE HIS PRESENCE KNOWN AND THEY TRUSTED HIM.

Then God revealed to Moses what was about to happen. He prepared Moses for a moment in leadership that was going to be tough. He was going to harden Pharoah’s heart once again and an Egyptian army would soon be in pursuit of them.

I have planned this in order to display my glory through Pharoah and his whole army. After this the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord!” – Exodus 14:4

When the people looked up and saw the massive army approaching, they panicked and asked God, “Why?” Why did you lead us here? Our old life of slavery would have been better than this.

But Moses told the people, “Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again. The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.” – Exodus 14:13-14

Perhaps you feel like you have been going in circles and you cannot figure out why God has led you down this path. Perhaps you are panicked and asking God WHY. Let those words wash over you with confidence, knowing God is with you. He is fighting for you. Just stay calm.

JUST STAND STILL AND WATCH THE LORD RESCUE YOU TODAY.

God gave Moses very specific instructions and Moses obeyed. He did what God asked of him and God did what He said He would do. Moses got the people on their feet, moved them towards the Red Sea, lifted his staff and held it over the water.

I found myself pretty emotional as I read through this familiar passage, as if I had never fully comprehended what God did. My focus has always been on the moment when God pulled back the waters and provided dry land for His people to walk across to the other side. But picture with me what happened before this moment. Consider with me the time in between.

The pillar of cloud that had been leading them this whole time moved from the front and formed a wall behind them. The clouds settled between God’s people and their enemies. As night fell, the cloud changed to fire, casting its light upon the situation. The enemy stood still while God sent a strong east wind to blow across the sea bed, creating a dry path for His children to walk across. The people stood still and watched as God fought their battle.

IT DIDN’T HAPPEN IN AN INSTANT BUT IT WAS WORTH THE WAIT.

Tell me again why we don’t trust God? Why do we doubt a God who can do ANYTHING? When the Red Sea is in front of you and the Egyptian army is behind you, you can trust God to form a wall of protection between you and the danger pressing in. You can trust Him to part the waters and provide dry land, as He unleashes His mighty power. Stand in awe of the God who can do ANYTHING.

When the people of Israel saw the mighty power that the Lord had unleashed against the Egyptians, they were filled with awe before him. They put their faith in the Lord and in his servant Moses. — Exodus 14:31

The Lord is my strength and my song; he has given me victory. This is my God, and I will praise him — my father’s God, and I will exalt him! The Lord is a warrior; Yahweh is his name! — Exodus 15:2-3

We thank you, Jehovah, for being a God who rescues your people. We pray that you will make your presence known to us and replace our panic with confidence — replace our fear with faith. With unfailing love you lead the people you have redeemed. You have purchased our salvation and we trust you to guide us down your perfect path, even when it feels like a roundabout way to get where we want to be. Thank you for the pillar of protection between us and our enemies, and thank you for the wind of provision that prepares the path ahead for us to walk on. We love you, Yahweh. Amen.

Today’s Reading: Exodus 7:1–13:16

“I am the Lord. I will free you from your oppression and will rescue you from your slavery in Egypt. I will redeem you with a powerful arm and great acts of judgment.” — Exodus 6:6

The people of God were too discouraged by their circumstances to find hope in God’s promises, too consumed by their own pain to see the capacity of God to rescue them and too stubborn to wait on God’s perfect timing and plan. They refused to listen. But God was about to get their attention in a grand display of His mighty power:

A plague of blood turned the water of the Nile River into a stinky river of dead fish, taking away the Egyptians’ source of drinking water.

A plague of frogs invaded their river, their bedrooms, their kitchens, their lives.

A plague of gnats covered everyone and everything, causing the Egyptian magicians to shout out “This is the finger of God!” – Exodus 8:19

A plague of flies filled their homes and the palace, covering the ground and throwing the land of Egypt into chaos.

A plague killing all the livestock owned by the Egyptians still did not move Pharoah’s stubborn heart.

A plague of festering boils broke out on all the Egyptian people.

A plague of hail fell on all the people, livestock and plants throughout the land of Egypt. Never in the history of Egypt had there been a storm like that, with such devastating hail and continuous lightning (9:24).

A plague of locusts covered the land, devouring any plant that had survived the hailstorm.

A plague of darkness covered the entire land of Egypt for three days.

It was finally the plague of the firstborn that caused Pharoah and the Egyptians to urge the Israelites to leave.

The Israelites became the audience to God’s grand display of judgment. During all of these plagues, God’s people were protected. The Israelites were given specific instructions to follow so that the angel of death would pass over their house, sparing their firstborn. God’s people had experienced His power firsthand and had a story to pass on to their children and grandchildren — from one generation to the next for the remainder of time.

“This is a day to remember. Each year, from generation to generation, you must celebrate it as a special festival to the Lord.” – Exodus 12:14a

“Then your children will ask, ‘What does this mean?’ And you will reply, ‘It is the Passover sacrifice to the Lord, for he passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt. And though he struck the Egyptians, he spared our families.’” – Exodus 12:26-27a

“This is a day to remember forever – the day you left Egypt, the place of your slavery. Today the Lord has brought you out by the power of his mighty hand…This annual festival will be a visible sign to you, like a mark branded on your hand or your forehead. Let it remind you always to recite this teaching of the Lord: ‘With a strong hand, the Lord rescued you from Egypt.’” – Exodus 13:3,9

TELL THE STORY OF THE GOD WHO DID SOMETHING!

The story of God rescuing the Israelites from their Egyptian captivity is a story I grew up learning and a story I have taught to my daughters. They know God is powerful because they know of the plagues. They know God provides “dry land” when all we see is “the Red Sea” in front of us and the “Egyptian army” behind us (Exodus 14).

But we have more than just the stories of those who have gone on before us to tell the next generation. We also have our own stories — stories of difficulty, pain and discouragement. We can tell of times when God has stepped into our situation with a mighty hand. We have stories that provide proof that God provides and that God heals. These faith-building stories are gifts for our children and our children’s children. Let’s tell our stories of the God who did something.

Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness.
Let the whole world know what he has done.
Sing to him; yes, sing his praises.
Tell everyone about his wonderful deeds. — Psalm 105:1-2

Today’s Reading: Exodus 5-6, Psalm 35

How long, O Lord, will you look on and do nothing?
Rescue me from their fierce attacks.
Protect my life from these lions! — Psalm 35:17

HAVE YOU EVER ACCUSED GOD OF DOING NOTHING?

Then Moses went back to the Lord and protested, “Why have you brought all this trouble on your own people, Lord? Why did you send me? Ever since I came to Pharoah as your spokesman, he has been even more brutal to your people. And you have done nothing to rescue them!” – Exodus 5:22-23

So let me ask again — Have you ever been so bold as to accuse God Almighty of doing nothing?

Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh, just as God told them to do, but Pharoah did not react the way the Israelites expected. God did not provide in the way and in the time His people thought He would. Instead of letting the Israelites go, Pharoah increased the workload by making the people provide their own straw for making the bricks. When the quota was not met because the straw was no longer provided, the Israelite foremen were whipped and accused of being lazy. The foremen took their anger out on Moses and he took his confusion out on God. God had a plan and He was about to move in such a way that the Hebrew nation would NEVER forget.

“…You can be sure that I have heard the groans of the people of Israel, who are now slaves to the Egyptians. And I am well aware of my covenant with them. Therefore, say to the people of Israel: ‘I am the Lord. I will free you from your oppression and will rescue you from your slavery in Egypt. I will redeem you with a powerful arm and great acts of judgment. I will claim you as my own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God who has freed you from your oppression in Egypt. I will bring you into the land I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. I will give it to you as your very own possession. I am the Lord!” – Exodus 6:5-8

HE IS THE GOD WHO RESCUES, WHO PROVIDES AND WHO SAVES!

What a powerful word from God! Yet the people were too discouraged by their circumstances to find hope in God’s promises, too consumed by their own pain to see the capacity of God to rescue them and too stubborn to wait on God’s perfect timing and plan.

O Lord, you know all about this.
Do not stay silent.
Do not abandon me now, O Lord.
Wake up! Rise to my defense!
Take up my case, my God and my Lord. — Psalm 35:22-23

“But Lord!” Moses objected. “My own people won’t listen to me anymore. How can I expect Pharaoh to listen? I’m such a clumsy speaker!”
But the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron and gave them orders for the Israelites and for Pharaoh, the king of Egypt. The Lord commanded Moses and Aaron to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt. — Exodus 6:12-13

I think this would be a good time to simply stop and self-reflect. How often do I whine and complain to God? When was the last time I argued with God, using my ineptness as an excuse not to do what God is asking me to do? Are my emotions taking me to a place of blaming God for my troubles? Does this describe me — Too discouraged to find hope, too consumed to see God, too stubborn to simply wait for God to move.

“Oh God, my rock,” I cry, “Why have you forgotten me? Why must I wander around in grief, oppressed by my enemies?” Their taunts break my bones. They scoff, “Where is this God of yours?”
Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again — my Savior and my God! — Psalm 42:9-11

Father God, when I am tempted to accuse you of doing nothing, help me to remember ALL that you have done in my life — according to your plan and in your time. You are the God who rescues, who provides and who saves. Thank you for your presence in my life! To you be all the glory! Amen.

Today’s Reading: Exodus 3 – 4

While tending Jethro’s flocks one day on Mount Sinai, the mountain of God, Moses came across a blazing fire in the middle of a bush. The bush was engulfed in flames but was not consumed by the fire. As Moses stepped forward to get a closer look, he heard from God.

“I have certainly seen the oppression of my people in Egypt. I have heard their cries of distress because of their harsh slave drivers. Yes, I am aware of their suffering. So I have come down to rescue them from the power of the Egyptians and lead them out of Egypt into their own fertile and spacious land. It is a land flowing with milk and honey…Now go, for I am sending you to Pharoah. You must lead my people Israel out of Egypt.” — Exodus 3:7-10

AGAIN, GOD IS NEVER CAUGHT UNAWARE. HE IS NEVER WITHOUT A PLAN.

He knows how His people suffer and He hears their cries, responding with His amazing mercy. Moses had the privilege to be a part of God’s plan – to have a front row seat to the mighty hand of God at work. But Moses responded in fear and doubt.

God said “Go” and Moses responded “Who am I?” God made it clear – It isn’t about who you are but about who I am and “I Am Who I Am” (3:14). Moses protested – What should I say? God responded – “Say this…” Moses reacted in fear and doubt, asking “What if…?” God pointed out the staff in Moses’ hand and told him to throw it down to the ground. It turned into a snake. God told him to pick up the snake by the tail and, when he obeyed, the snake turned back into the staff. God was showing Moses how He would perform all kinds of miracles to show Himself to both Pharoah and the Israelites.

Then the Lord asked Moses, “Who makes a person’s mouth? Who decides whether people speak or do not speak, hear or do not hear, see or do not see? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go! I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say.” – Exodus 4:11-12

GOD IS NEVER CAUGHT UNAWARE. HE IS NEVER WITHOUT A PLAN.

God has a plan and that plan often involves us. He calls us to do something and He desires obedience and faith. When we say, “Who am I? What can I do?” God says, “It’s not about you, it’s about me and I Am Who I Am.” When we ask how, God says, “Take what I have already placed in your hand, what I have already equipped you with, and let go of it. I will take it from there. I will tell you what to do and I will give you the words to say.”

Many of us are called by God to rescue others who are suffering. We have a message to give those who are hurting – God hears, He is concerned and He has a plan to rescue them. Let’s listen closely to God today as we make ourselves available to be used by Him in the lives of others. Let’s respond in obedience and faith instead of fear and doubt. Let others know that God has seen, He has heard, He is concerned and He has come down to rescue them!!!

Today’s Reading: Exodus 2:11-25, Psalm 111

Many years later, when Moses had grown up, he went out to visit his own people, the Hebrews, and he saw how hard they were forced to work. During his visit, he saw an Egyptian beating one of his fellow Hebrews. After looking in all directions to make sure no one was watching, Moses killed the Egyptian and hid the body in the sand. — Exodus 2:11-12

What must it have been like for Moses to grow up in the palace? Although he was adopted into this royal family, the fact that he was a Hebrew would have set him apart from the Egyptians around him. Pharoah may have tolerated his daughter’s adopted son, but he most likely never accepted Moses as his grandson.

Knowing he was adopted, Moses never lost his connection with the Hebrew people. He saw how hard they were forced to work and came to their defense, killing an Egyptian who was beating one of the Hebrew slaves. When Pharoah heard of this, he tried to kill Moses, so he fled Egypt and went to live in the land of Midian (2:11-15). There GOD PROVIDED him with a wife, the daughter of the Midian priest, Jethro.

IT WAS EVENING AND ZIPPORAH DID THE SAME THING SHE DID EVERY EVENING.

Zipporah gathered her empty water jug and walked to the well with her six sisters. Every evening the girls made this trip to the well, bringing back water to fill the troughs for their father’s flocks. It was her routine and, perhaps, her favorite time of day – the opportunity to take a walk with her sisters.

It was in living out her routine of daily spending time at the well that Zipporah’s life was forever changed. Today was different from the other days. Today there were cruel shepherds at the well who chased them away, keeping them from what they needed to do. But there was also a hero at the well who swept in and rescued the girls from the shepherds. His name was Moses (Exodus 2).

I wonder what Zipporah’s reaction was when this handsome Hebrew man dressed as an Egyptian prince came to her rescue. Had anyone ever done something of that kind of value for her before? Did she realize the significance of this moment? Did she have any idea of how quickly her life was going to change?

Zipporah was simply living out her routine of daily spending time at the well and God met her there. Her life was never the same. God had a plan for her life and she began a new journey – a journey that would someday take her a very long way from her family and friends, from the life she had always known. God blessed her generously and she had a front row seat to watching her husband be used by God to rescue His people out of slavery.

It is in living out a routine of daily spending time at the well that OUR lives can be changed forever. God meets us when we faithfully spend time in His presence. Many days it will feel the same, like routine. But there will be days in which God gives us a moment that will change our lives forever. He has a plan for our lives and He longs to guide us daily on our new journey – a journey with God-moments, opportunities, and living water.

How amazing are the deeds of the Lord!
All who delight in him should ponder them.
Everything he does reveals his glory and majesty.
His righteousness never fails.
He causes us to remember his wonderful works.
How gracious and merciful is our Lord! — Psalm 111:2-4

Casting Crowns has a song that speaks about God’s invitation for us to meet Him at the well.
“And all who thirst will thirst no more, / And all who search will find what their souls long for, / The world will try, but it can never fill, / So leave it all behind, and come to the well.” [Mark Hall, Matthew West; sung by Casting Crowns]

My prayer for you this morning is that God will fill you with the peace and courage you need to confront today’s circumstances. Plant yourself beside the source of living water and allow Him to strengthen you for the journey ahead.

But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.
They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water.
Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought.
Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit. – Jeremiah 17:7-8

Today’s Reading: Exodus 1-2:10, Psalm 34

I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. — Psalm 40:1-2

God spoke into Job’s situation, and he was humbled. God was paying attention. He was never unaware of the suffering Job was going through. God corrected Job’s friends, who had inaccurately represented him when Job needed them most. When Job prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes (Job 42:10). His brothers, sisters, and friends arrived to comfort and console him. Each of them brought Job some money and a gold ring, in order to generously share what they had with their family member and friend.

So the Lord blessed Job in the second half of his life even more than in the beginning. For now he had 14,000 sheep, 6,000 camels, 1,000 teams of oxen, and 1,000 female donkeys. He also gave Job seven more sons and three more daughters. He named his first daughter Jemimah, the second Keziah, and the third Keren-happuch. In all the land no women were as lovely as the daughters of Job. And their father put them into his will along with their brothers. Job lived 140 years after that, living to see four generations of his children and grandchildren. Then he died, an old man who had lived a long, full life. — Job 42:12-17

This generous God of Job’s is the same God we serve today. He is present, He is aware, and He is paying attention. We see evidence of this in the history of God’s people as we move on to the book of Exodus.

The nation of Egypt had grown very powerful because the hand of God was on Joseph’s life, yet they continued to be a self-seeking, sinful people and they oppressed God’s children. A new king was now in leadership and he was intimidated by the size of Joseph’s growing family, the Israelites. He decided to make them slaves and appointed brutal slave drivers over them, assigning them with crushing labor.

Life was bitter for the Israelites as they were made to work hard for Pharoah, without mercy and under the pressure of ruthless demands (Exodus 1:11-14). The more Pharoah oppressed God’s people, the more the Israelites multiplied and spread. Pharoah gave an order to the Hebrew midwives to kill every newborn boy, only letting the baby girls live. But the Hebrew midwives feared God and refused the King’s orders. So Pharoah ordered all the Egyptians to kill every newborn Hebrew boy (1:22). Imagine the terror and grief of God’s people as their babies were yanked from their arms and cast into the Nile River. God heard their cries.

BUT GOD IS NEVER CAUGHT UNAWARE. HE IS NEVER WITHOUT A PLAN.

What a wonderful truth. Time and time again in history, we see evidence of God’s response to the oppression of a group of people. He raises up a leader or a team of people to stand up in opposition to injustice — racism, sexism, discrimination, hatred, abortion and more. God is not uninvolved, nor is He unaware. He does not wring His hands in uncertainty or turn His back. He empowers and equips His people, calling them to rescue and restore.

The righteous person faces many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue each time. — Psalm 34:19

God raised up a leader from those baby boys to rescue his people. A married couple from the tribe of Levi gave birth to a son and hid him for three months. When they could no longer hide him, they placed him in a basket and laid it among the reeds of the Nile River, with the baby’s sister watching close by. Pharoah’s daughter found the baby and claimed it as her own — she adopted him. And because GOD IS GENEROUS, He even worked out a way for the baby’s mother to take him back home and nurse him until he was old enough to move into the palace and be raised by the princess.

The princess named him Moses, for she explained, “I lifted him out of the water.” — Exodus 2:10b

His name was Moses because he was lifted out of his situation and rescued. God does not always respond immediately, but He is involved. There may be a period of time in which we cannot see the evidence of His involvement, but we can trust that He has a plan and that He is working it out for us. It may not be time for you to be lifted out of a situation, but you can trust that He is holding you in his hands and will keep you from sinking deeper if you will just let Him.

​​The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right; his ears are open to their cries for help. — Psalm 34:15

Heavenly Father, thank you for the many ways in which you have generously provided for us. Thank you for being present and active in our lives, knowing what has been and what will come. It is comforting to know that nothing about my day will catch you off guard; you are never unaware. Help me to trust you in the midst of it all. Amen.

Today’s Reading: Job 37-42

In our humanity, we often think we know better than God. In our arrogance, we often think we have all the answers. In our ignorance, we often question God instead of submitting to His plan. But do we know? Do we understand? Can we even imagine? Are we as strong as God?

Most of the book of Job is one long conversation. His friends have come to visit him after he has suffered great loss and pain. They argue with him that his sin has caused him to lose favor with God and that is why disaster has taken his family, possessions and good health. Job defends his righteousness and whines about how God has abandoned him.

A young bystander, Elihu, finally steps into the conversation to remind all of them WHO God is and to caution them when making such grand accusations against God. You remember who God is, right? The Creator of the world, the Almighty, the One more powerful than we can comprehend or imagine?

“Listen carefully to the thunder of God’s voice as it rolls from his mouth.
It rolls across the heavens, and his lightning flashes in every direction.
Then comes the roaring of the thunder – the tremendous voice of his majesty.
He does not restrain it when he speaks. God’s voice is glorious in the thunder.
WE CAN’T EVEN IMAGINE THE GREATNESS OF HIS POWER.

“He directs the snow to fall on the earth and tells the rain to pour down.
THEN EVERYONE STOPS WORKING SO THEY CAN WATCH HIS POWER.
The wild animals take cover and stay in their dens.
The stormy wind comes from its chamber, and the driving winds bring the cold.
God’s breath sends the ice, freezing wide expanses of water.
He loads the clouds with moisture, and they flash with his lightning.
The clouds churn about at his direction.
They do whatever he commands through the earth…

“DO YOU KNOW how God controls the storm and causes the lightning to flash from his clouds?
DO YOU UNDERSTAND how he moves the clouds with wonderful perfection and skill?
When you are sweltering in your clothes and the south wind dies down and everything is still,
he makes the skies reflect the heat like a bronze mirror. CAN YOU DO THAT?

“We cannot look at the sun, for it shines brightly in the sky when the wind clears away the clouds.
So also, golden splendor comes from the mountain of God.
He is clothed in dazzling splendor.
WE CANNOT IMAGINE the power of the Almighty;
but even though he is just and righteous, he does not destroy us.
No wonder people fear him.
All who are wise show him reverence.” — Job 37:2-12,15-18,21-24

Stop looking for the sin in your life that has caused your suffering and start looking at how your suffering is tempting you to sin. Perhaps your current pain is more about your present grumbling than a consequence of your past actions or recent tragedies. Humble yourself and listen to what God has to say about your complaining and arguing.

Then the Lord said to Job,
“Do you still want to argue with the Almighty?
You are God’s critic, but do you have the answers? …
ARE YOU AS STRONG AS GOD?”… — Job 40:1-2,9a

Then Job replied to the Lord:
“I know that you can do anything, and no one can stop you.
You asked, ‘Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorance?’
It is I – and I was talking about things I knew nothing about, things far too wonderful for me…
I take back everything I said, and I sit in dust and ashes to show my repentance.” — Job 42:1-2,6

What a powerful section of scripture. I wish I could say I have never argued with God. I wish I could claim I have never disagreed with God or questioned His decisions. Unfortunately, I am as guilty as Job. It was I who was talking about things I knew nothing about, things far too wonderful for me.

This morning I recognize that YOU, Almighty God, are strong and powerful and wonderful. I listen to the rumble of thunder and I recognize your strength. I watch the lightning bolt across the sky and I recognize your control. I do not know what is best. I do not pretend to understand your greater plan. But I do trust you. I sit quietly and watch Your power at work – the power I cannot even fathom the depth of. You, Oh God, are holy and You, Oh God, are great! Thank you for being aware of everything going on in my life and for blessing the next chapter of my life. Amen.

Today’s Reading: Job 35-38

QUESTIONING THE WISDOM OF GOD

As we read the book of Job, we hear him questioning God’s wisdom in even allowing him to be born if He was going to eventually let him suffer like this (Job 10:8-12,18-22). Job demonstrates here an internal conflict between being in awe of the power of God and being disappointed with the wisdom of God. In one breath he is speaking of how great God is and in another breath he is questioning the motives and decisions of God. If Job was without sin before the hard times came, he is now demonstrating his humanity and sin nature by questioning the authority of God.

More than that, Job was downright angry with God. Many of us can relate to a moment in our lives when we questioned God or asked “Why?” It is common to experience anger in our grief, but there’s a difference between taking our anger to God and taking our anger out on God. I think this is where Job messes up. It is not a sin that he is experiencing human emotions in the midst of his grief and pain; it is what he does with the emotions that trips him up. Job is both arguing with God and criticizing God’s wisdom.

One of my favorite passages of scripture is God’s reply to Job’s accusations. If there is something in your life that has left you questioning the wisdom of God, I encourage you to read through this passage. If you find yourself questioning the heart of God, let these words remind you of how much your Creator loves you.

Then the Lord answered Job from the whirlwind:
“Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorant words?
Brace yourself like a man, because I have some questions for you, and you must answer them.
Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?
Tell me, if you know so much.
Who determined its dimensions and stretched out the surveying line?
What supports its foundations and who laid its cornerstone as the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted with joy?

“Who kept the sea inside its boundaries as it burst from the womb, and as I clothed it with clouds and wrapped it in thick darkness?
For I locked it behind barred gates, limiting its shores.
I said, ‘This far and no farther will you come. Here your proud waves must stop!’

“Have you ever commanded the morning to appear and caused the dawn to rise in the east?
Have you made daylight spread to the ends of the earth, to bring an end to the night’s wickedness? …

“Have you explored the springs from which the seas come?
Have you explored their depths?
Do you know where the gates of death are located?
Have you seen the gates of utter gloom?
Do you realize the extent of the earth?
Tell me about it if you know!

“Where does the light come from, and where does the darkness go?
Can you take each to its home?
Do you know how to get there?
But of course you know all this!
For you were born before it was all created, and you are so very experienced!” — Job 38:1-13,16-21

Father God, thank you for reminding us this morning of who you are, and for giving us the perspective of how powerful you are. I pray that you would help us to trust you even through the most difficult of situations. I pray that we would rest in your wisdom even when we do not get the answer we are praying for. When we do not understand the movement of God, may we trust the heart of God.

“God alone understands the way to wisdom; he knows where it can be found, for he looks throughout the whole earth and sees everything under the heavens.
He decided how hard the winds should blow and how much rain should fall.
He made the laws for the rain and laid out a path for the lightning.
Then he saw wisdom and evaluated it thoroughly.
And this is what he says to all humanity:
‘The fear of the Lord is true wisdom; to forsake evil is real understanding.’” — Job 28:23-28