July 19: Exodus 3:9-12
Key Verse: Exodus 3:11
But Moses said to God, ‘Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?’
Devotion:
One of the things which I found unbelievable in the beginning was how God can use anyone to do His will. I was divorced and trying to raise a teenager, keep a demanding job, attend church and keep out of trouble… then He called me to step forward and to take on Christian youth work – so that’s not just looking after a bunch of rowdy teenagers, but giving them the spiritual guidance and food they needed!
I admit, I was petrified the first time I had to stand up and try to guide that lively group of young people. Who was I to do this when I had seemingly failed at my own relationship and was having trouble with my teenager! But I found out, if I was willing to listen to God and to wait on His for guidance, then I could do many things!
Moses was probably still thinking about what he had done to the Egyptian who was abusing his fellow countryman – how could he now stand up and go to Pharaoh and say they wanted to leave! The Egyptians had enslaved the Hebrew people and were even trying to control the population through what was essentially selective breeding!
But God knew Moses was the right person to step forward at that time and knew what would happen. God knew Pharaoh would say one thing and do another thing over and over again. God knew the Hebrew people would have to leave under drastic circumstances in order to survive. God knew He could not use the ‘best political leader’ to negotiate the terms of release. God chose Moses.
Points to Ponder:
Do you think you are not good enough to be used by God?
If God can use a murderer, why can’t He use you?
July 18: Exodus 2:1-10
Key Verse: Exodus 2:6
She opened it and saw the baby. He was crying, and she felt sorry for him. ‘This is one of the Hebrew babies,’ she said.
Devotion:
What do you do when you are faced with an impossible situation? Do you give up and accept what is going to happen or do you call out to God who can do anything? This is a side of Christians which people try to attack us with saying we do not face up to dangers and so call on an invisible God so we don’t have to face the consequences...
Let’s get something straight from the start – God does not say we will not have to endure consequences just because we are Christians or because we call out to Him. He does not say we are going to be protected from everything just because we call out to Him; but He does say He will hear every prayer and answer them.
In this story we see the plight of the Levite family who gave birth to a boy at a time when all baby boys were being killed by the Egyptians, a seemingly impossible situation. The family called out for God and placed their son’s life in His hands. The Pharaoh’s daughter saw the baby and had compassion on him had him weaned and brought to her to raise as her own son. This is how God made sure a man would be able to bring the Hebrews out of the grasp of the Egyptians. God was answering many prayers in the best way forward.
We do not have to give in to the world and accept whatever it throws at us, we are allowed to call out to God and ask for help in whatever situation we find ourselves in. But if we ask God to do things in spite or pride, we maybe should not expect Him to answer as we think He should. God is always going to be just and answer in a way which glorifies Him and is best for our lives with Him; keep that in mind and keep on asking!
Points to Ponder:
Do you give up on prayer because it seems too hard?
Will you trust God to answer in the best way?
July 17: Exodus 1:8-14
Key Verse: Exodus 1:14
They made their lives bitter with harsh labour in brick and mortar and with all kinds of work in the fields; in all their harsh labour, the Egyptians worked them ruthlessly.
Devotion:
What do you do when you life gets heavy with oppression or you know you are being judged unfairly? Do you accept it and continue to hope someone will change things, or do you call out to the One who can make a difference? Too many times we sit back and accept our ‘fate’ by accepting the things which are being done to us; either thinking we deserve what is happening or hoping for someone else to fix things for us.
How long did the Israelites continue to accept their ‘fate’ and how soon did they call out to God. As we go through some parts of this story again we will get to hear what happened and how God came to their rescue – though we may think God waited too long or the people waited too long or even the tyrannical rule of the Egyptians was too much…
No matter what predicament you may find yourself in, you should be calling out to God for help. When things seem to go awry, then is the time to make a call to God. Don’t leave it until you cannot cope any more because your mind and body may not last as long as you think they can – call out to God when you need Him!
Not all people will follow God or listen to Him. Not all people stick by Christians rules or morals. Not all people care about others or love their neighbours. We need to stand up and show we are different and that we do rely on God for our lives. Only when people see there is a different and more wholesome way of living will they think about change – be the change!
Points to Ponder:
How much do you take before you call out for help?
Are you complaining or call for help?
July 16: Isaiah 55:10-13
Key Verse: Isaiah 55:12
You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.
Devotion:
The more I read the Bible the more I am amazed at how God has made sure His Word has continued to be an open book for all to read despite what the rulers of the world would want to happen. Yes there are places all round the world where the Bible is no longer an acceptable book to read and most of those places are ruled by people who are scared at what the Word of God can do – because they lose control if God gains it!
The Word of God opens up a new world to all who are able to read it; it opens up hope, freedom and peace where rulers and leaders try to subdue, restrict and bring fear. When a leader loses the grip of fear they have over the people, the people feel free to oppose them and bring about real freedom.
Sadly there are church institutions which restrict the Word of God to what they wish people to hear so they can lead through subduing, restricting and bringing fear to the people. This is not God’s way and it will not lead to people knowing the Joy and freedom Christ brings to all. The early church in the UK restricted the Word of God by having a bible authorised by the King chained to places of worship and only the licensed priest could use those books.
God continues to make sure the bible is brought to as many people as possible in an increasingly free world. We are able to take God’s Word with us in devices which fit in the palm of our hands; no longer do the rulers have authoritarian control over The Word. The purpose of the Gospel is to reach all people with the truth and allow them to have free choice to follow God.
Points to Ponder:
Do you help to share God’s Word?
Or are you restricting what people get to hear?