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

Today’s Reading: Job 37-42; Psalm 73

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 better than God? 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.

Then I realized that my heart was bitter,
and I was all torn up inside.
I was so foolish and ignorant—
I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you.
Yet I still belong to you;
you hold my right hand.
You guide me with your counsel,
leading me to a glorious destiny.
Whom have I in heaven but you?
I desire you more than anything on earth.
My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak,
but God remains the strength of my heart;
he is mine forever.
Those who desert him will perish,
for you destroy those who abandon you.
But as for me, how good it is to be near God!
I have made the Sovereign Lord my shelter,
and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do. – Psalm 73:21-28

Today’s Reading: Job 35-38; Psalm 89

O Lord, how long will this go on?
Will you hide yourself forever?
How long will your anger burn like fire?
Remember how short my life is,
how empty and futile this human existence!
No one can live forever; all will die.
No one can escape the power of the grave.
Lord, where is your unfailing love? – Psalm 89:46-49a

Has your prayer ever reflected your doubt? Have you ever cried out to God, begging Him to show up for you in the midst of your struggles? David wrote many psalms of lament; he questioned both the presence of God and the wisdom of God.

As we continue to 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.

THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TAKING OUR ANGER TO GOD AND TAKING OUR ANGER OUT ON GOD.

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 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

Powerful is your arm! Strong is your hand!
Your right hand is lifted high in glorious strength.
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne.
Unfailing love and truth walk before you as attendants.
Happy are those who hear the joyful call to worship,
for they will walk in the light of your presence, Lord.
They rejoice all day long in your wonderful reputation.
They exult in your righteousness.
You are their glorious strength.
It pleases you to make us strong. – Psalm 89:13-17

Today’s Reading: Job 30-34; Psalm 94

“God is not a mortal like me,
so I cannot argue with him or take him to trial.
If only there were a mediator between us,
someone who could bring us together.
The mediator could make God stop beating me,
and I would no longer live in terror of his punishment.
Then I could speak to him without fear,
but I cannot do that in my own strength.” – Job 9:32-35

HOW OFTEN DO WE BLAME GOD FOR EVERYTHING THAT IS GOING WRONG IN OUR LIFE?

We blame the Author of Life for the death of a loved one. We blame the Great Physician for the cancer diagnosis of a friend. We blame our holy and righteous God for the sin of this world that causes us pain. Every good and perfect gift comes from God our Father, and yet He is the first one we get angry with when things are not going our way.

Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. — James 1:17

Once our family attended an outdoor event on a hot summer day. We found a place in the shade and then we set up our chairs and blankets. We had arrived early to make sure we could find a comfortable place under the shelter of a tree. But before the opening song had even begun, we noticed the shade was moving. We had not taken into account that the earth was rotating and the angle of the sun was changing — the shadow we were sitting under was shifting.

This often describes our circumstances in life. We set ourselves up to live comfortably and enjoy all the blessings God has provided, but life does not sit still. Try as we may, we cannot freeze time. Our children grow up, our bodies grow old, and our loved ones pass on. We look around and no longer recognize our surroundings. Where did the time go? We cry out to God and question whether He is still listening.

“Even now my witness is in heaven.
My advocate is there on high.
My friends scorn me, but I pour out my tears to God.
I need someone to mediate between God and me,
as a person mediates between friends.” — Job 16:19-21

HAVE YOU EVER ACCUSED GOD OF BEING DISTANT? HAVE YOU EVER WONDERED IF HE IS LISTENING?

“I cry to you, O God, but you don’t answer.
I stand before you, but you don’t even look.” – Job 30:20

Job was suffering and crying out to a God who was not answering him. He assumed God had turned his back; he was convinced that God no longer cared. If only God would come close to see what a good person he was, Job would receive justice for all the unfair suffering he was enduring. His friend, Eliphaz, spoke up to remind Job of the greatness of God.

“God is so great—higher than the heavens, higher than the farthest stars.
But you reply, ‘That’s why God can’t see what I am doing!
How can he judge through the thick darkness?
For thick clouds swirl about him, and he cannot see us.
He is way up there, walking on the vault of heaven.’” – Job 22:12-14

What a great reminder that God sees everything; the Lord knows everything. Most of us have had seasons where we felt like Job did, but we can rest in the knowledge that the one who made our ears is not deaf; the one who formed our eyes is not blind (Psalm 94:9-11). But even with confidence in this promise, we may have moments where we cry out for a moment with God, like Job did.

“My complaint today is still a bitter one, and I try hard not to groan aloud.
If only I knew where to find God, I would go to his court.
I would lay out my case and present my arguments.
Then I would listen to his reply and understand what he says to me.” – Job 23:2-5

We live in an imperfect world and declare it unfair. The sins of generations before us have scarred God’s perfect plan for His creation. We have inherited the viruses, diseases, conflicts and perversions of those who came before us, and darkness continues to try its best to snuff out the light. Job recognized the distance that sin had placed between the Creator and His creation, and he cried out for a mediator — someone to bridge the distance between God and mankind. Job was begging for a Savior.

There is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. – 1 Timothy 2:5-6a

JESUS WAS THE SAVIOR JOB PRAYED FOR — THE MEDIATOR WHO WOULD CLOSE THE DISTANCE.

For by the power of the eternal Spirit, Christ offered himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins. That is why he is the one who mediates a new covenant between God and people, so that all who are called can receive the eternal inheritance God has promised them. For Christ died to set them free from the penalty of the sins they had committed under that first covenant. — Hebrews 9:15

Because Jesus is our Mediator and our Savior, we can stand in confidence with Job and make this our personal testimony, even in the midst of our struggles and the presence of our pain:

“But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives,
and he will stand upon the earth at last.
And after my body has decayed,
yet in my body I will see God!
I will see him for myself.
Yes, I will see him with my own eyes.
I am overwhelmed at the thought!” — Job 19:25-27

I cried out, “I am slipping!” but your unfailing love, O Lord, supported me.
When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer. – Psalm 94:18-19

Today’s reading: Job 23-29; Psalm 42

My heart is breaking
as I remember how it used to be:
I walked among the crowds of worshipers,
leading a great procession to the house of God,
singing for joy and giving thanks
amid the sound of a great celebration! – Psalm 42:4

Everything Job had loved about life was gone and he was grieving. He liked the way things had been, but it was beyond his control to get it all back. The contrast of the joy of yesterday compared to the pain of today caused him to despair all of his tomorrows. If only things could go back to the way they had been.

WHY CAN’T THINGS GO BACK TO THE WAY THEY USED TO BE?

“I long for the years gone by when God took care of me,
when he lit up the way before me and I walked safely through the darkness.
When I was in my prime, God’s friendship was felt in my home.
The Almighty was still with me, and my children were around me.
My steps were awash in cream, and the rocks gushed olive oil for me.

“Those were the days when I went to the city gate
and took my place among the honored leaders.
The young stepped aside when they saw me,
and even the aged rose in respect at my coming.
The princes stood in silence and put their hands over their mouths.
The highest officials of the city stood quietly, holding their tongues in respect.

“All who heard me praised me. All who saw me spoke well of me.
For I assisted the poor in their need and the orphans who required help.
I helped those without hope, and they blessed me.
And I caused the widows’ hearts to sing for joy.
Everything I did was honest.
Righteousness covered me like a robe, and I wore justice like a turban.
I served as eyes for the blind and feet for the lame.
I was a father to the poor and assisted strangers who needed help.” – Job 29:2-16

When Job lost his family, his livestock, his servants, and his health, he lost his identity. He liked the way things used to be and he missed the opportunities life had afforded him. He was uncomfortable being in this place where others were taking pity on him; he longed for the days when he was the one who came to the rescue of others. His expectations of what the future would hold had been erased, and his confidence in the heart of God was fading. Can you relate?

DO YOU EVER FIND YOURSELF QUESTIONING THE HEART OF GOD?

“I thought, ‘Surely I will die surrounded by my family after a long, good life.
For I am like a tree whose roots reach the water, whose branches are refreshed with the dew.
New honors are constantly bestowed on me, and my strength is continually renewed.’” – Job 29:18-20

When everything in life is going well, we begin planning out our future. We have no doubt that life is good and our God is great! But when the people we love start making decisions beyond our control, we panic. When sickness and disease take away our family members and friends, we grieve. When others start looking at us differently, we feel unappreciated and devalued. Feelings of worthlessness crowd in and, like Job, we start spiraling into depression.

If this describes where you are at right now or what you are feeling, my prayer for you this morning is that you will allow the following verses to wash over you. There is no simple fix to our deepest sorrows and no quick remedy for depression, but we can allow the healing to begin when we regain our confidence in who God is and choose to believe that He is present.

The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help.
He rescues them from all their troubles.
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted;
He rescues those whose spirits are crushed.
The righteous person faces many troubles,
but the Lord comes to the rescue each time. – Psalm 34:17-19

WE CAN TRUST THE HEART OF THE GOD WHO LOVES US!

There is no guarantee that we will go through life without troubles or heartbreak, but God does promise to rescue us. In life, we will experience all of the emotions that everyone else experiences, but we can stand on the promise that we are never alone — that God is with us and that He will hold us up when we don’t have the strength to stand on our own. He wants us to bring all of our emotions to Him, trusting the heart of the God who loves us.

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!
Now I am deeply discouraged,
but I will remember you. – Psalm 42:5-6a

Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.
Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you.
I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. – Isaiah 41:10