Today’s Reading: Exodus 18, Psalm 145

Moses told his father-in-law everything the Lord had done to Pharaoh and Egypt on behalf of Israel. He also told about all the hardships they had experienced along the way and how the Lord had rescued his people from all their troubles. Jethro was delighted when he heard about all the good things the Lord had done for Israel… “Praise the Lord,” Jethro said, “…I know now that the Lord is greater than all other gods, because he rescued his people from the oppression of the proud Egyptians.” – Exodus 17:8-11

I AM THE LORD YOUR GOD. I WILL USE YOUR STORY TO HELP OTHERS BELIEVE THAT I AM GOD.

The Midianites were descendants of Abraham’s son, Midian. After Sarah died, Abraham remarried and his new wife gave birth to several sons. The Midianites were descendants of Abraham, but their religion had evolved over the years to include the worship of other gods rather than worshiping only the one true God. So this was a significant moment for the Midianite priest, Jethro, to recognize that the Lord God is greater than all other gods.

How wonderful it is when God uses the story of our lives to help others find faith in Him. When Moses fled from Egypt as a young man, he rested near a well in Midian. The seven daughters of the Midianite priest, Jethro, came to the well to draw water for their flocks but shepherds chased them away. Moses came to their rescue, defending them against the shepherds and then drawing water for their flocks. When Jethro heard of the kindness of this young Egyptian, he invited him to dinner and then to stay with them. He eventually gave Moses his daughter in marriage, and together they had two sons. God provided for Moses through Jethro.

This encounter with Jethro in Exodus 17 came 40 years after Moses left to help the Israelites escape slavery in Egypt. Before his encounter with Pharaoh, Moses had been a shepherd for his father-in-law for years. Jethro and Moses had been family now for a long time. I imagine this was a powerful moment for Moses when Jethro acknowledged the supremacy of the God of Israel.

GOD HAD USED MOSES IN THE LIFE OF JETHRO AND NOW HE WAS GOING TO ONCE AGAIN USE JETHRO IN THE LIFE OF MOSES.

The Lord helps the fallen and lifts those bent beneath their loads. – Psalm 145:14

Leading the large nation of Israel came with a lot of pressure and responsibility. Each day Moses would listen to a line of people coming with their disputes to settle and their problems to solve. From morning to evening, Moses would deal with all that the people brought to him. Moses had taught Jethro about God and now Jethro taught Moses about delegation — about leaders leading leaders. Jethro’s leadership advice equipped Moses with a healthy system for governing this large nation.

My daughter persistently invited her friend, Nicole, to come to church when they were in junior high. She began to attend regularly and gave her life to Jesus. She became very involved in the youth group and soon felt a call into youth ministry. Not only did Brooke do something wonderful for Nicole when she invited her to church, Nicole has become an amazing friend for Brooke — a clear gift from God. They both attended Olivet Nazarene University, where each of them got involved in ministry while pursuing God’s call on their life. Nicole is now a youth pastor in South Carolina and Brooke is now a youth pastor in Indiana. Both of them are walking out their “yes” in order that other young people will come to know Jesus and understand God’s calling on their lives.

WHEN WE RESPOND IN OBEDIENCE, GOD BLESSES US WITH THE RESULTS OF OUR OBEDIENCE. I LIKE TO CALL THIS THE BOOMERANG EFFECT.

Thank you, Jehovah, for giving us opportunities to share our faith journey with others. Thank you for the many friendships that are formed as those we love come to acknowledge you as their Savior and Lord. Help us to see the potential of those around us and be persistent in our efforts to lead them to you. Use the story of your great power displayed in our lives. Bring those who do not believe to a saving knowledge of who YOU are as they see your light reflected in us. Amen.

Your awe-inspiring deeds will be on every tongue;
I will proclaim your greatness.
Everyone will share the story of your wonderful goodness;
they will sing with joy about your righteousness.
The Lord is merciful and compassionate,
slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.
The Lord is good to everyone.
He showers compassion on all his creation.
All of your works will thank you, Lord,
and your faithful followers will praise you. – Psalm 145:6-7

Today’s Reading: Exodus 17:8-16, Psalm 24

While the people of Israel were still at Rephidim, the warriors of Amalek attacked them. Moses commanded Joshua, “Choose some men to go out and fight the army of Amalek for us. Tomorrow, I will stand at the top of the hill, holding the staff of God in my hand.” – Exodus 17:8-9

This was the first attack the people of God experienced after leaving Egypt. They had experienced a need for God to provide them with food and water, and He had come through faithfully. Now it was time for them to again trust God for their safety, while trusting their leader to hold tight to the staff of God.

A STRONG LEADER KNOWS THE IMPORTANCE OF LIFTING HIGH THE STAFF OF GOD.

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. – Exodus 17:10-11

What a beautiful example of the importance of leadership — the critical need for someone to be willing to hold on to the staff of God. When leadership is strong, the army of believers is inspired; when leadership is weak, there is a negative impact on the group as a whole.

But this leader did not have to carry the weight of leadership on his own. He had a team of leaders beside him to help support him when the body of believers needed him the most. Joshua was on that team, and he was willing to complete the assignment given to him. He would lead the army from the battlefield while Moses led from the hilltop.

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. As a result, Joshua overwhelmed the army of Amalek in battle. — Exodus 17:12-13

A WISE LEADER KNOWS HOW TO BUILD A TEAM WHEN LEADERSHIP GETS HARD.

What God was asking Moses to do was difficult, but he didn’t have to do it alone; he could use his team. This battle against the Amelekites is a great example of the importance of leaders surrounding themselves with wisdom and strength. When Moses lacked the endurance to stand strong throughout the battle, Aaron and Hur were quick to support their leader. They found a stone on which he could rest, and they stood on both sides of Moses in order to support him when he needed them most. They were willing to stand in order to sustain the energy of their leader.

After the victory, the Lord instructed Moses, “Write this down on a scroll as a permanent reminder, and read it aloud to Joshua: I will erase the memory of Amalek from under heaven.” Moses built an altar there and named it Yahweh-Nissi (which means “the Lord is my banner”). He said, “They have raised their fist against the Lord’s throne, so now the Lord will be at war with Amalek generation after generation.” – Exodus 17:14-16

A HUMBLE LEADER BOLDLY PROCLAIMS YAHWEH-NISSI — THE LORD IS MY BANNER!

When I was a little girl, one of my favorite songs to sing in Children’s Church was His Banner Over Me is Love. I would wave my arms above my head, point to myself, and then cross my arms and swing back and forth as I sang. “The Lord is mine and I am His, His banner over me is love. The Lord is mine and I am His, His banner over me is love. The Lord is mine and I am His, His banner over me is love. His banner…over me…is love.”

Father God, thank you for defending your people. Jehovah Nissi, thank you for giving us confidence during life’s battles, and for surrounding us with the people of God to help us when we need it most. Show us how we can best support the leaders you have placed in our lives. This morning, we wave the banner of victory to show that our identity is in you — the One who reigns victoriously. May this be our rallying cry today! The Lord is my banner! Amen.

Who is the King of glory?
The Lord, strong and mighty;
the Lord, invincible in battle.
Open up, ancient gates!
Open up, ancient doors,
and let the King of glory enter.
Who is the King of glory?
The Lord of Heaven’s Armies—
He is the King of glory. — Psalm 24:8-10

Today’s Reading: Exodus 15:22 – 17:7; Psalm 114

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 the beauty of 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.

HOW QUICKLY WE FORGET WHAT THE LORD HAS DONE AND WHAT HE STILL WANTS TO DO FOR US.

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

I AM THE LORD WHO HEALS YOU.

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 was more of a pitstop than a vacation, 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 of the leftovers but to instead 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!” Their complaining quickly turned to demanding, and Moses cried out to the Lord. God responded by equipping Moses with the leadership needed to help God’s people, because that’s what God does.

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.

Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord,
at the presence of the God of Jacob.
He turned the rock into a pool of water;
yes, a spring of water flowed from solid rock. – Psalm 114:7-8

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 at the Red Sea was like for Miriam, the woman who had once been a young girl watching her mother place a basket containing her little brother in the Nile River (Exodus 2). As her mother walked away that day, it became Miriam’s responsibility to watch from a distance. I am sure 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

Miriam watched as the princess recognized that this was one of the babies who had been sentenced to death. When I place myself in Miriam’s position, I imagine her heart must have been racing and her palms would have been 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.

THE LORD GOD HAD PROVIDED THEN AND HE WAS PROVIDING NOW.

Fast forward, now Miriam is 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 EVERYTHING 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; Psalm 77

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

When Pharaoh 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 Pharaoh’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. What a beautiful sight!

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.

O God, your ways are holy.
Is there any god as mighty as you?
You are the God of great wonders!
You demonstrate your awesome power among the nations.
By your strong arm, you redeemed your people,
the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.
When the Red Sea saw you, O God,
its waters looked and trembled!
The sea quaked to its very depths.
The clouds poured down rain;
the thunder rumbled in the sky.
Your arrows of lightning flashed.
Your thunder roared from the whirlwind;
the lightning lit up the world!
The earth trembled and shook.
Your road led through the sea,
your pathway through the mighty waters—
a pathway no one knew was there!
You led your people along that road like a flock of sheep,
with Moses and Aaron as their shepherds. – Psalm 77:13-20

Today’s Reading: Exodus 7:1–13:16; Psalm 78

“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:

1. 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.

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

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

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

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

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

7. 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).

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

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

10. 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 now 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. We can share our stories of God’s grace and mercy when we did not deserve it. These faith-building stories are gifts for our children and our children’s children.

Let’s use this season of Lent to tell our first-hand stories of the God who did something in our lives. Let’s show our faith and expectation of what God is going to do next.

We will not hide these truths from our children;
we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the Lord,
about his power and his mighty wonders…
So the next generation might know them —
Even the children not yet born —
and they in turn will teach their own children.
So each generation should set its hope anew on God,
Not forgetting his glorious miracles and obeying his commands. – Psalm 78:4-7

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 Pharaoh 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 Pharaoh 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, Pharaoh 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

ARE YOU TOO DISCOURAGED TO FIND HOPE, TOO CONSUMED TO SEE GOD, TOO STUBBORN TO SIMPLY WAIT FOR GOD TO MOVE?

“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 is Ash Wednesday, the day we set aside each year to start a season of confession and repentance. Today is the day to recognize God’s response to our need for a Savior and how unworthy we are of all that He has done for us. By His amazing grace, God saw us in our sinful state and yet he chose to send His one and only Son as a sacrifice for our sins. He hears our groaning and complaining, despite all that He has done for us.

Father God, forgive us for the many times we have sat in self-pity and discouragement, accusing you of forgetting us or for not caring. We choose to give up our demands for justice and our insistence on your favor as we humbly surrender ourselves, posturing ourselves instead for gratitude and submission. Amen.

Today’s Reading: Exodus 3 – 4; Psalm 144

O Lord, what are human beings that you should notice them,
mere mortals that you should think about them?
For they are like a breath of air;
their days are like a passing shadow.
Open the heavens, Lord, and come down. – Psalm 144:3-5a

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 Pharaoh. You must lead my people Israel out of Egypt.” – Exodus 3:7-10

I HAVE SEEN. I HAVE HEARD. I AM AWARE. SO I HAVE COME. NOW GO.

God knows how His people suffer and He hears their cries, responding with His incredible mercy. He rescues the oppressed and leads them to the freedom He has planned for them. And the Lord uses us to do this; he calls us to be a part of His plan of redemption. In Exodus 3, we learn that 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 just like we have a tendency to do, Moses responded in fear and doubt rather than giving God his immediate “yes”. Can you relate?

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 Pharaoh 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 the Lord how we are going to be able to do what He is asking us to do, He 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.

Perhaps you look down at your hands and see them as empty. Your current perspective is that you are not equipped to do what God is asking you to do. You do not see a staff in your hands, and therefore you feel incapable and inept, like you have nothing to offer the Lord.

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Now put your hand inside your cloak.” So Moses put his hand inside his cloak, and when he took it out again, his hand was white as snow with a severe skin disease. “Now put your hand back into your cloak,” the Lord said. So Moses put his hand back in, and when he took it out again, it was as healthy as the rest of his body. – Exodus 4:6-7

It’s okay to come to the Lord empty handed. It’s not always about what you have to allow the Lord to use, but about how the Lord wants to use you to accomplish His plan for today. So give Him your whole self and be willing to even let God use an ailment in a part of your body for His glory and His purposes.

But Moses pleaded with the Lord, “O Lord, I’m not very good with words. I never have been, and I’m not now, even though you have spoken to me. I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled.”
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.”
But Moses again pleaded, “Lord, please! Send anyone else.” – Exodus 14:10-13

Oh how I wish I was not guilty of doing the same thing that Moses did! I have heard those same words and that same spirit of fear in my own response to God — Lord, please, send anyone else! I love you but please find someone else to do what you are asking me to do!

Father, forgive me for the missed opportunities; forgive me for letting my insecurities and fears cause me to miss a conversation when I could have experienced your Spirit giving me the words to say and clear instructions to follow. All that I have is yours; all that I am is yours.

God could have completely given up on Moses but He didn’t, just like He doesn’t give up on us. God allowed Moses to have a partner in his brother; He gave him a coworker to be his mouthpiece. And Aaron responded just as the Lord wants us to respond — in immediate obedience with a willing heart.

Now the Lord had said to Aaron, “Go out into the wilderness to meet Moses.” So Aaron went and met Moses at the mountain of God, and he embraced him. – Exodus 4:27

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!!!

Praise the Lord, who is my rock.
He trains my hands for war
and gives my fingers skill for battle.
He is my loving ally and my fortress,
my tower of safety, my rescuer.
He is my shield, and I take refuge in him. – Psalm 144:1-2a

Today’s Reading: Exodus 2:11-25, Psalm 1

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. Pharaoh 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 Pharaoh 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 watch 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 FOREVER CHANGED.

God meets us when we faithfully spend time in His presence. Many days it will feel familiar; it will become 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.

Oh, the joys of those who do not
follow the advice of the wicked,
or stand around with sinners,
or join in with mockers.
But they delight in the law of the Lord,
meditating on it day and night.
They are like trees planted along the riverbank,
bearing fruit each season.
Their leaves never wither,
and they prosper in all they do. – Psalm 1:1-3

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 5

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 developed a strategy to keep the size of this group from growing larger. 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 Pharaoh, without mercy and under the pressure of ruthless demands (Exodus 1:11-14). The more Pharaoh oppressed God’s people, the more the Israelites multiplied and spread. Pharaoh 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 to carry out the King’s orders, making excuses for why the baby boys were surviving. So Pharaoh 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. Pharaoh’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

O Lord, hear me as I pray; pay attention to my groaning.
Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for I pray to no one but you.
Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord.
Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly. – Psalm 5:1-3

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.

But let all who take refuge in you rejoice;
let them sing joyful praises forever.
Spread your protection over them,
that all who love your name may be filled with joy.
For you bless the godly, O Lord;
you surround them with your shield of love. – Psalm 5:11-12