Tag: faith

Week 45 of the Devotional Series

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The Study of Exodus: Post Nine

***Note – We have completed the book of Job and the book of Genesis! This is our ninth week in the book of Exodus! 

Focus: Exodus Chapter Nine

Tip: I highly recommend journaling your responses to the questions, prompts, and reflections. Writing them out can help you process more deeply and see how God is working in your life.

This week’s devotion includes:

Exodus Chapter Nine – “A Teachable Heart ” 

Bible Memory:

Did you memorize last week’s Bible verse?

Hiding God’s Word in our hearts is such a valuable practice. Since I’ve been memorizing Scripture, I’ve experienced so many moments where God brings a specific verse to mind just when I need it most. It’s amazing how He uses His Word to speak into our lives right where we are.

This Week’s Memory Verse:

“And Pharaoh sent, and called for Moses and Aaron, and said unto them, I have sinned this time: the LORD is righteous, and I and my people are wicked.”

Exodus 9:27 

Exodus Chapter 9:

“A Teachable Heart ”

(Read Exodus Chapter 9 First)

In Exodus chapter nine, we are still dealing with Pharaoh refusing to let the children of Israel go and worship the LORD.

At this point, I feel like we almost know what to expect as we’re reading. God warns Pharaoh. Pharaoh refuses. A plague comes. Pharaoh asks Moses to pray. The plague stops. And then Pharaoh hardens his heart again.

But as I studied this chapter, I found myself thinking less about Pharaoh’s heart and more about my own.

Pharaoh’s hardened heart is easy to see, but sometimes realizing the condition of our own hearts isn’t quite as obvious.

Here are some self examination questions we can ask ourselves:

Am I teachable?

Am I willing to listen when God corrects me?

Am I willing to change when His Word shows me something in my life that doesn’t line up with Him?

Or do I have to experience the consequences over and over before I finally listen?

________________________________________________________

Now let’s look in this chapter at how God protects His people… 

The chapter begins with another warning from the LORD.

God tells Moses to go to Pharaoh and tell him:

“Let my people go, that they may serve me.”

(Exodus 9:1) 

If Pharaoh refuses, the LORD says His hand will be upon the cattle of Egypt. Horses, donkeys, camels, oxen, and sheep would be affected by a severe disease.

But then God makes something very clear….

“And the LORD shall sever between the cattle of Israel and the cattle of Egypt: and there shall nothing die of all that is the children’s of Israel.”

(Exodus 9:4) 

I love this! God was showing Pharaoh that He was in complete control.

The cattle of Egypt would be affected, but the cattle belonging to Israel would be protected.

Then God gave them a specific time:

“To morrow the LORD shall do this thing in the land.”

(Exodus 9:5)

Tomorrow.

God said what He was going to do, and then He did exactly what He said.

When Pharaoh sent to find out what had happened, he discovered that not one of the cattle belonging to Israel had died.

God’s Word was true once again.

It reminded me of two verses where God is our refuge, our keeper, and our protector.

“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.”

(Psalm 23:1)

And:

“The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.”

(Nahum 1:7)

God’s protection doesn’t mean that His children will never experience difficulty. We see plenty of evidence throughout Scripture that God’s people still walk through hard things.

But what we see here in Exodus is that God knows exactly where His people are.

He knew which cattle belonged to Israel.

He knew where His people were.

And He was able to distinguish between Egypt and Israel in the middle of judgment.

That is comforting to me.

God knows His own.

__________________________________________________________

Now I want to look at how Pharaoh repeatedly saw the evidence of God and still hardened his heart.

Here’s where I get stuck on Pharaoh.

Pharaoh had been warned.

He had watched the plagues happen.

He had seen God’s power.

And now he had actual evidence that God had protected Israel’s cattle exactly as He said He would.

You would think this would cause Pharaoh to stop and say, “Okay. I need to listen.”

But he didn’t.

“And the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, and he did not let the people go.”

Exodus 9:7

We kept seeing this pattern where he saw the evidence and still refused to surrender.

And then another plague would come. 

Moses and Aaron were instructed to take ashes from the furnace and sprinkle them toward heaven. The ashes became dust throughout Egypt and caused boils upon both man and beast.

Even Pharaoh’s magicians couldn’t stand before Moses because they were covered in boils.

But still…

Pharaoh wouldn’t let the people go.

Let’s stop again and ask ourselves, because I think this is so important…How teachable is my heart?

I don’t want to be someone who has to keep learning the same lesson over and over because I refuse to listen the first time.

I don’t want God to have to use drastic circumstances to get my attention when He has already been speaking to me through His Word.

I want to be teachable.

I love reading Proverbs daily because it has so much to say about seeking wisdom. My preacher has taught us that there are 31 chapters in Proverbs, so a simple way to read through it is to read the chapter that corresponds with the date. For example, on the 17th day of the month, read Proverbs chapter 17, and continue doing that each day.

“Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.”

(Proverbs 2:3-5)

I love the picture Proverbs gives us.

Search for wisdom like buried treasure.

That takes effort, humility, and willingness. 

And Proverbs also says:

“The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.”

(Proverbs 15:33)

A teachable heart requires humility.

You can bet that if you’re staying in God’s Word, that sometimes He will show you  something about yourself that you don’t particularly want to see. Maybe it’s an attitude, a habit, a reaction, unforgiveness, pride, impatience, or simply an area where you’ve been trying to do things your own way.

What do we do when He shows us?

Do we listen?

Or do we make excuses?

Do we humble ourselves?

Or do we harden our hearts?

Let’s look at this verse that really caught my attention..it’s a quote we read in verse 17…

The LORD says to Pharaoh:

“As yet exaltest thou thyself against my people, that thou wilt not let them go?”

(Exodus 9:17)

Did you catch the “As yet”…

After everything Pharaoh had already seen, God was asking, “Are you still doing this?”

That phrase makes me think about those areas in our lives where God may be asking us the same question.

Are you still holding onto that?

Are you still refusing to forgive?

Are you still insisting on having your own way?

Are you still ignoring what My Word says?

Are you still trying to control something I’ve asked you to surrender?

That is uncomfortable to think about, but I think it’s good for us to ask those questions, because God corrects us because He loves us.

“For whom the Lord loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.”

(Proverbs 3:12)

I would much rather have a heart that responds to God’s gentle correction than one that refuses to listen until circumstances become painful enough to get my attention!

______________________________________________________________

Now let’s look at how God gave another warning. 

Before the hail came, God gave another warning.

He told Pharaoh exactly what was coming and instructed the people to bring their servants and animals inside.

Some of the Egyptians believed the word of the LORD and acted on the warning.

“He that feared the word of the LORD among the servants of Pharaoh made his servants and his cattle flee into the houses:”

(Exodus 9:20)

But:

“And he that regarded not the word of the LORD left his servants and his cattle in the field.”

(Exodus 9:21)

There were people who heard God’s warning and acted on it.

Heard and Acted…

It isn’t enough just to hear God’s Word.

What do I do with what I’ve heard?

James tells us:

“But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.”

(James 1:22)

To have a teachable heart, we must hear correction and act on it. 

_______________________________________________________________

Then we come to the part of the chapter where the hail came.

Then the LORD told Moses to stretch out his hand toward heaven.

And the hail came.

Thunder. Then fire running along the ground.

Hail unlike anything Egypt had ever experienced.

The crops, trees, animals, and people left outside were struck.

But once again, God protected His people..

In Goshen, where the children of Israel lived, there was no hail.

After the hail, Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron.

And this time, Pharaoh said something we haven’t heard him say quite like this before:

“I have sinned this time: the LORD is righteous, and I and my people are wicked.”

(Exodus 9:27)

Pharaoh was acknowledging that God was right and he was wrong.

And maybe, for a moment, Pharaoh really did recognize the seriousness of what he had done.

But Moses knew Pharaoh’s heart.

He told him:

“But as for thee and thy servants, I know that ye will not yet fear the LORD God.”

(Exodus 9:30)

And Moses was right.

As soon as the rain, hail, and thunder stopped, 

Pharaoh had relief.

And what happened?

“And when Pharaoh saw that the rain and the hail and the thunders were ceased, he sinned yet more, and hardened his heart…”

(Exodus 9:34)

There it is again.

Hardship came. Pharaoh cried out. Relief came. Pharaoh went right back to his old ways.

So what happened when the storm passed?

It’s easy to seek God when everything is falling apart.

When we’re scared.

When we’re hurting.

When we’re desperate.

When we need an answer.

But what happens when the storm passes?

What happens when the prayer is answered?

What happens when the diagnosis is good, the financial situation improves, the relationship is repaired, the problem is resolved, or the thing we’ve been begging God to change finally changes?

Do we continue walking closely with Him?

Or do we go right back to living life our own way?

Pharaoh knew God had power.

He had seen God’s power over and over again.

His problem was that he refused to surrender.

I don’t want to only seek God when I need Him to fix something.

I want to know Him at all times.. when life is good or bad.

I want to obey Him when obedience is easy and when it’s hard.

I want to listen when He whispers through His Word.

I want to be teachable.

I want to be humble.

I want to listen to what God wants to change within me. 

As you finish Exodus chapter nine, take some time to sit quietly with the LORD and ask yourself:

  1. Am I teachable when God’s Word corrects me, or do I make excuses for my behavior?

2. Is there something God has been showing me repeatedly that I continue to ignore?

3. Do I seek God only when I’m going through a difficult season, or do I continue seeking Him when life becomes comfortable again?

4. Is there an area of my life where I am still trying to have my own way?

5. What does humility look like in my life right now?

6. When God reveals something in my heart that needs to change, how do I respond?

7. What is one thing I can surrender to the LORD today instead of waiting for circumstances to force me to deal with it?

And maybe the simplest question of all:

Lord, is my heart soft toward You?

That is a question I think is worth asking often.

Because I don’t want to be someone who hears God’s Word, sees His goodness, experiences His mercy, and then goes right back to doing things my own way.

I want to be teachable.

Week 44 of the Devotional Series

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***Note – We have completed the book of Job and the book of Genesis! This is our eighth week in the book of Exodus! 

Focus: Exodus Chapter Eight 

Tip: I highly recommend journaling your responses to the questions, prompts, and reflections. Writing them out can help you process more deeply and see how God is working in your life.

This week’s devotion includes:

Exodus Chapter Eight – “A Hardened Heart” 

Bible Memory:

Did you memorize last week’s Bible verse?

Hiding God’s Word in our hearts is such a valuable practice. Since I’ve been memorizing Scripture, I’ve experienced so many moments where God brings a specific verse to mind just when I need it most. It’s amazing how He uses His Word to speak into our lives right where we are.

This Week’s Memory Verse:

And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD?Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.

– 1 Samuel 15:22

Exodus Chapter 8:

“A Hardened Heart ”

(Read Exodus Chapter 8 First)

Exodus chapter 8 begins with the LORD sending Moses back to Pharaoh with the same message He had already given him:

“Thus saith the LORD, Let my people go, that they may serve me.” (Exodus 8:1) 

This immediately made me stop and think that sometimes God uses people who are walking closely with Him to speak truth into our lives. It may be a pastor, a trusted friend, a family member, or even something we read during our Bible study time. God is faithful to use His Word and the godly people He places in our lives to warn, correct, and guide us.

The LORD even told Pharaoh exactly what would happen if he refused to listen. Frogs would come out of the river in abundance. They would fill the houses, bedrooms, beds, ovens, kneadingtroughs, and every part of daily life.

If you feel like the Lord is warning you about something…Listen. 

I know that I want to stay close enough to God that I recognize His voice when He is trying to tell me something. I’d much rather respond to His gentle correction than wait until I’m dealing with the consequences of ignoring Him.

Jesus reminds us of the importance of hearing His voice:

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:27)

Pharaoh ignored God’s warning.

Just as the LORD had said, Aaron stretched out his rod, and frogs covered the land of Egypt.

The magicians were able to imitate the miracle by bringing more frogs onto the land…but did you catch the fact that Pharaoh never asked them to remove them.

Instead, he called for Moses and Aaron.

That says a lot.

The world may imitate some things that God does, but only God has the power to truly deliver us.

James reminds us:

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” (James 1:17) 

Next, we read about …“Tomorrow”

After Pharaoh begged Moses to ask God to remove the frogs, Moses answered,

“Glory over me: when shall I intreat for thee…?” (Exodus 8:9) In other words, Moses asked Pharaoh when he wanted him to ask God to take away these frogs? 

Pharaoh’s answer surprises me every time.

He said,

“Tomorrow.”

Tomorrow?!

If frogs were covering my house, my bed, my kitchen, and everything around me, I would want them gone immediately!

The Bible does not tell us why Pharaoh chose tomorrow, but it does make me think about how often we delay things God is placing before us. How many times do we recognize something needs to change, but we tell ourselves, “I’ll deal with it tomorrow”?

All of this reminded me of these two verses: 

“Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.” (James 4:17) 

“Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”    (2 Corinthians 6:2)

Sometimes putting things off until “tomorrow” seems harmless, but when it comes to fixing sin, delays can keep us from experiencing the freedom and obedience God desires for us today.

Moses prayed.

The LORD answered.

The frogs died exactly as Moses said they would, and they were gathered into great heaps until the land stank.

“But when Pharaoh saw that there was respite, he hardened his heart…” (Exodus 8:15) 

As soon as life became comfortable again, Pharaoh went right back to his old ways.

Have you ever promised God you’d change if He would help you through a difficult circumstance or season?

Then, once life settles down, you slowly drift back into the same habits, attitudes, or ways that you asked Him to help you overcome.

I’m sure we’ve all been there before, but next time you find yourself there, remember that God not only can change our circumstances, but he can and wants to change our hearts.

Because Pharaoh refused to obey, another plague followed.

This time it was lice.

Even the magicians couldn’t duplicate this miracle.

Instead, they admitted,

“This is the finger of God.” (Exodus 8:19)

But Pharaoh still refused to listen.

This is a reminder that seeing God’s power doesn’t automatically soften someone’s heart. We still have to choose whether we will surrender to Him.

The next plague would be swarms of flies.

But this time God made a distinction between Egypt and Goshen, where His people lived.

“…I will sever in that day the land of Goshen…to the end thou mayest know that I am the LORD in the midst of the earth.” (Exodus 8:22)

God was displaying His judgment and His protection.

He wanted Pharaoh, and everyone else, to know exactly who He was.

The same God who judges sin also faithfully watches over His children.

Psalm 91:4 reminds us,

“He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust…” (Psalm 91:4)

As soon as Pharaoh wanted relief, he made Moses an offer….

“You can worship your God…just stay here.”

But Moses refused.

He explained that they had to worship exactly as God commanded.

The sacrifices God required involved animals the Egyptians considered sacred. Offering those sacrifices in Egypt could have led to the Israelites being stoned.

More importantly, God had already given His instructions.

Obeying God was not something Moses was willing to negotiate.

Maybe you’ve heard thoughts like these:

* You don’t have to obey completely.

* Just compromise a little.

* Stay where you’re comfortable.

* Don’t go too far with your faith.

But just be careful because partial obedience is still disobedience.

God was asking Israel to trust Him enough to obey Him completely.

Samuel later wrote these powerful words:

“Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice…” (1 Samuel 15:22)

One theme kept repeating through my heart as I studied this chapter.

God is incredibly patient.

Again and again He warned Pharaoh.

Again and again He gave him opportunities to respond.

Again and again Pharaoh hardened his heart.

I don’t want to have a heart like Pharaoh.

I want to be sensitive when God convicts me.

I want to listen the first time.

I want to obey completely instead of compromising.

And I want my relationship with Him to be genuine. I don’t want my faith to grow during difficult seasons only to fade when life becomes comfortable again. I want it to remain, regardless of my circumstances. 

Journaing Questions:

* Has God been trying to get my attention about something lately?

* Am I listening when God speaks through His Word or through godly people He places in my life?

* Have I ever promised God I would change during a difficult season, only to drift back afterward?

* Is there an area where I have settled for partial obedience instead of complete obedience?

* What is one step of obedience I can take this week?

Week 43 of the Devotional Series

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***Note – We have completed the book of Job and the book of Genesis! This is our seventh week in the book of Exodus! 

Focus: Exodus Chapter Seven 

Tip: I highly recommend journaling your responses to the questions, prompts, and reflections. Writing them out can help you process more deeply and see how God is working in your life.

This week’s devotion includes:

Exodus Chapter Four – “Knowing the Lord”

Bible Memory:

Did you memorize last week’s Bible verse?

Hiding God’s Word in our hearts is such a valuable practice. Since I’ve been memorizing Scripture, I’ve experienced so many moments where God brings a specific verse to mind just when I need it most. It’s amazing how He uses His Word to speak into our lives right where we are.

This Week’s Memory Verse:

“And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I stretch forth mine hand upon Egypt, and bring out the children of Israel from among them.”

Exodus 7:5 

Exodus Chapter 7:

“Knowing the Lord”

(Read Exodus Chapter 7 First)

One thing became very clear to me while studying Exodus chapter 7.

God is revealing WHO HE IS.

The chapter opens with the LORD telling Moses,

“See, I have made thee a god to Pharaoh: and Aaron thy brother shall be thy prophet.” (Exodus 7:1)

To me, this verse just meant that Moses would stand before Pharaoh as God’s representative, speaking God’s words with God’s authority, while Aaron would speak on Moses’ behalf.

Then the LORD tells Moses…

“And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and multiply my signs and my wonders in the land of Egypt.” (Exodus 7:3)

God already knew exactly what was about to happen and He goes on to explain why…

“And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I stretch forth mine hand upon Egypt, and bring out the children of Israel from among them.”    (Exodus 7:5)

Then, just a few verses later, Moses tells Pharaoh,

“Thus saith the LORD, In this thou shalt know that I am the LORD...” (Exodus 7:17)

That phrase kept standing out to me.

“By this thou shalt know that I am the LORD.”

For me, it was the heartbeat of this entire chapter. It made me realize how often we wonder why things are happening, why nothing seems to be getting better, or why we just can’t catch a break. Sometimes it may be because God is working through those circumstances to reveal Himself to someone else.

Everything that was about to happen had a purpose. Through His mighty power, Egypt would come face to face with the one true God.

How often do we focus on what God is doing instead of what He is trying to show us about who He is?

And this is something I don’t want us to miss…Sometimes we become so consumed with wanting God to change our circumstances that we miss what He wants to teach us through them.

I know in my own life that some of my greatest seasons of growth come when God reveals more of Himself. 

Another thing I noticed was the obedience of Moses and Aaron.

The LORD gave them instructions.

They obeyed.

He told them to go before Pharaoh.

They went.

He told Aaron to cast down his rod.

He did.

He told them to meet Pharaoh by the river the next morning.

Again, they obeyed.

It also amazed me that Moses was eighty years old and Aaron was eighty-three. I love that God told us their ages. 

Have you ever felt that you were too young, too old, too inexperienced? I know I often feel unqualified for God to use me, but…

God chose two elderly brothers to stand before the most powerful ruler in the world! I’m so glad that He doesn’t call only the strongest or the most gifted, but He chooses willing hearts that will trust Him and obey so that He can graciously work through us. 

What an incredible privilege!

It reminds me of what Paul wrote:

“For we are labourers together with God.” (1 Corinthians 3:9)

Next, we come to the part of the story when Aaron threw down his rod, and it became a serpent.

Immediately Pharaoh called for his wise men, sorcerers, and magicians. They were able to perform the same action.

But then the Bible tells us…

“But Aaron’s rod swallowed up their rods.” (Exodus 7:12)

To me, this was a wonderful picture that God’s power is greater than every fake. There are many things in this world that will try to imitate the truth, promise us peace, or offer us hope apart from God.

But none of them can compare to Him.

The things of this world may appear impressive for a little while,  but eventually they are swallowed up by the power of the one true God.

God then instructed Moses and Aaron to meet Pharaoh by the river.

Aaron stretched out his rod just as God commanded.

The waters turned to blood.

The fish died.

The river stank.

There was blood throughout all the land.

But Pharaoh still remained unchanged.

One verse especially caught my attention.

“Neither did he set his heart to this also.” (Exodus 7:23)

I looked up the phrase “set his heart.”

It carries the idea of applying one’s heart, giving careful attention, or taking something seriously.

Pharaoh witnessed God’s mighty works, but he refused to let what he saw affect him.

As I read that, I began thinking about my own life.

How many times has God shown me His faithfulness?

How many prayers has He answered?

How many times has He provided exactly what I needed?

Am I paying attention?

Am I allowing what God is doing to deepen my relationship with Him?

I know that sometimes we can become so focused on asking God for another miracle and we forget to take the time to reflect and thank Him for the ones He’s already done.

God was revealing Himself in this chapter in Exodus, and He is constantly revealing Himself to us if we take the time to listen. 

Throughout Scripture, one of God’s greatest desires is for people to know Him.

Jesus prayed,

“And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.”(John 17:3)

Paul later wrote,

“That I may know him…” (Philippians 3:10)

God doesn’t just want us to know ABOUT Him.

He wants us to know Him PERSONALLY.

Sometimes that happens most deeply in seasons we would never choose.

We may ask God to remove the trial, but He may choose to reveal more of Himself through it.

Looking back over my own life, I’ve learned more about God’s faithfulness and love during the difficult seasons than I ever did during the easy ones.

I wouldn’t have chosen those valleys.

But I also wouldn’t trade what I learned about God while walking through them.

Personal Reflection

Take a few moments to ask yourself:

  • Is God trying to reveal something about Himself in my current season?
  • Am I so focused on wanting my circumstances to change that I’m missing what God wants to teach me?
  • Have I taken time to remember the ways God has already shown Himself faithful?
  • Am I willing to obey God even when I don’t fully understand His plan?
  • How has God revealed His character to me through difficult seasons in my life?

This Week’s Challenge

This week, instead of asking only, “Lord, when will this situation change?”

Try asking,

“Lord, what are You teaching me about who You are?”

Spend a few minutes each day thanking Him for ways He has already revealed His faithfulness in your life.

The more we know who God is, the more we will trust Him…no matter what circumstances we face.

So the next time you find yourself going through a difficult season, ask God to reveal what He’s trying to teach you. Ask Him to give you understanding and a heart that’s willing to learn. He loves us, and His desire is for us to grow to be more like Him.

Week 42 of the Devotional Series

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***Note – We have completed the book of Job and the book of Genesis! This is our sixth week in the book of Exodus! 

Focus: Exodus Chapter Six

Tip: I highly recommend journaling your responses to the questions, prompts, and reflections. Writing them out can help you process more deeply and see how God is working in your life.

This week’s devotion includes:

Exodus Chapter Four – “God Is Faithful Even When We Can’t See It”

Bible Memory:

Did you memorize last week’s Bible verse?

Hiding God’s Word in our hearts is such a valuable practice. Since I’ve been memorizing Scripture, I’ve experienced so many moments where God brings a specific verse to mind just when I need it most. It’s amazing how He uses His Word to speak into our lives right where we are.

This Week’s Memory Verse:

“Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians… and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgments.”

Exodus 6:6

Exodus Chapter 6:

“God Is Faithful Even When We Can’t See It”

(Read Exodus Chapter 6 First)

We left off in our last chapter with the Hebrew people upset with Moses. He had told them God was going to set them free, but so far all that had happened was Pharaoh making their lives even harder. Instead of things getting better, they got worse.

But God was in control.

This chapter opens with the LORD saying to Moses,

“Now shalt thou see what I will do to Pharaoh: for with a strong hand shall he let them go, and with a strong hand shall he drive them out of his land.” (Exodus 6:1)

One phrase that really stood out to me was “strong hand.” Looking it up in the Blue Letter Bible, the word “strong” can mean mighty, stout, firm, severe, or powerful. We are going to learn why the LORD must use a strong hand with Pharaoh and the Egyptians. 

As I continued reading, I noticed something else. God keeps reminding Moses of who He is.

“I am the LORD.”

He says it again and again throughout this chapter.

I noticed that before God tells Moses what He’s going to do, He reminds him who He is.

We sometimes want God to explain the plan, but He often begins by reminding us of His character. And when you stop and think about it, that makes perfect sense. The better we know someone, the easier it is to trust them.

Think about a child. A little child doesn’t usually understand why a parent tells them to do certain things. They don’t know the whole plan, but because they know their parent loves them and wants what’s best for them, they learn to trust them. 

The same is true with the LORD. We won’t always understand what He’s doing or why He’s allowing certain things in our lives. But the more we get to know Him through His Word, the more we’ll trust His heart, even when we can’t see His plan.

Then God tells Moses,

“I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them.” (Exodus 6:3)

The name Jehovah speaks of the self-existent, eternal God..The One who always was, always is, and always will be. It also points to His faithfulness to keep every covenant He has made.

God goes on to remind Moses that He made a covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob to give them the land of Canaan.

Then I came to one of my favorite parts of this chapter.

God says,

“I have also heard the groaning of the children of Israel…and I have remembered my covenant.” (Exodus 6:5)

The word groaning can also mean sighing or crying out because of deep suffering.

I don’t know about you, but I’m so thankful we serve a God who hears our sighs.

He hears the prayers we so desperately pray.

He sees every burden we carry.

He never forgets His promises.

Psalm 34:17 says,

“The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.”

Did you notice that over and over in this chapter, God says…

I will.

“I will bring you out.”

“I will rid you out of their bondage.”

“I will redeem you.”

“I will take you to me for a people.”

“I will be to you a God.”

“I will bring you in unto the land.”

“I will give it you.”

I love that God was faithful to do all of these things even though Israel had no strength to do anything for themselves. What a comfort that is for us today. There are seasons when we don’t have much strength, but thankfully our hope doesn’t have to rest in our own strength. We can depend on our God who says, “I will.”

The last thing God tells Moses is that He will bring Israel into the land He promised Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

I believe God fully intended for them to enter that Promised Land.

Yet as we’ll continue studying Exodus and the books that follow, we’ll see that an entire generation misses out because of unbelief and disobedience.

What a sobering reminder for us!

Sin and unbelief can keep us from experiencing the blessings He desires for us.

Moses faithfully delivers God’s message to the Israelites, but they don’t listen because they are so overwhelmed by their cruel bondage.

Can you imagine?

They had prayed for deliverance for years, and now they were so discouraged that they couldn’t even hear the good news.

Have you ever had that kind of pain? The kind that can be so strong that it drowns out your hope? I’m sure they had lost all expectation of ever being free.

But God intervened.

That’s so encouraging for us because maybe you feel like that today, and you needed the reminder that God can still work in the most hopeless circumstances. 

Then the LORD tells Moses to go speak to Pharaoh again.

Moses responds by saying, in essence, “If the Israelites won’t listen to me, why would Pharaoh?”

I have to admit…this part amazes me.

God is speaking directly to Moses, telling him exactly what to do, but Moses is still filled with doubt.

Then I realized…

How often do I do the same thing?

Has God ever impressed something on your heart, only for you to immediately start listing all the reasons it won’t work? All the reasons you’re not qualified and why someone else would do a better job?

Moses questioned God, just like we sometimes do, but I love how God responded.

He doesn’t argue with Moses or change His plan.

Verse 13 says He gave Moses and Aaron a charge. In other words, He gave them their orders. God simply called them to obey.

I think that’s something we all need to remember. I don’t think God is looking for people who have all the answers or feel completely confident. He’s looking for willing hearts to trust Him and obey. He already knows our weaknesses. He isn’t surprised by our insecurities or our fears. He simply asks us to take the next step in obedience and trust Him with the results.

When I came to verses 14-27, I wondered why there was a genealogy right in the middle of everything that’s happening with Moses and Pharaoh.

But the more I read it, the more I realized why I think it’s there. 

The genealogy begins with Jacob’s oldest sons but quickly narrows its focus to the tribe of Levi until we arrive at Amram and Jochebed, the parents of Aaron and Moses.

Then the passage ends by saying,

“These are that Aaron and Moses…” (Exodus 6:26)

Almost as if God is saying,

“These are the very men I have chosen.”

God had been working long before Moses was ever born.

His plan to rescue Israel had been unfolding for generations.

Every person listed in that genealogy played a part in God’s story, even if they never lived to see how it all came together.

That can be so true for us too! 

Sometimes we only see what’s right in front of us. We wonder why God seems quiet or why His timing feels so slow.

But God sees the whole picture.

I also love that God chose to record all of those names in His Word. Most of them are people we know very little about, but God knew every one of them.

And He knows us too. He knows our names, our stories, our struggles..and He knows exactly where we fit into the story He’s writing.

Maybe that’s one of the greatest lessons from Exodus 6.

Our lives are part of a much bigger story than we can see.

Just like Moses, we may not understand everything God is doing today, but we can trust that He has been faithfully working all along.

His plans didn’t begin with us, and they won’t end with us.

But what a privilege it is to be part of the beautiful story He is writing! 

Week 41 of the Devotional Series

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The Study of Exodus: Post Five

***Note – We have completed the book of Job and the book of Genesis! This is our fifth week in the book of Exodus! 

Focus: Exodus Chapter Five

Tip: I highly recommend journaling your responses to the questions, prompts, and reflections. Writing them out can help you process more deeply and see how God is working in your life.

This week’s devotion includes:

Exodus Chapter Four – “Obedience Isn’t Always Easy”

Bible Memory:

Did you memorize last week’s Bible verse?

Hiding God’s Word in our hearts is such a valuable practice. Since I’ve been memorizing Scripture, I’ve experienced so many moments where God brings a specific verse to mind just when I need it most. It’s amazing how He uses His Word to speak into our lives right where we are.

This Week’s Memory Verse:

“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”

Galations 6:9

Exodus Chapter 5:

“Obedience Isn’t Always Easy”

(Read Exodus Chapter 5 First)

As I was working through Exodus chapter 5, I realized I never actually finished chapter 4 in our last post. Oops! Apparently, when you’re writing devotions with three kids in the house, your train of thought can occasionally leave the station without you.

So before we move forward, let’s quickly wrap up the end of chapter 4.

God had called Moses to do a big and intimidating job. Moses felt inadequate and afraid, so God gave him miraculous signs to confirm that the message he carried was truly from the LORD. Moses was still concerned because he did not feel gifted in speaking, so God allowed Aaron to be his spokesman.

One of the greatest lessons from chapter 4 is that God equips you when He calls you.

After God reassured Moses, Moses went to his father in law, Jethro, and asked permission to return to Egypt to see whether his brethren were still alive. Jethro blessed his journey and sent him on his way.

Remember, Moses had fled Egypt years earlier because he had killed an Egyptian. Pharaoh sought to kill him, so Moses escaped for his life. If there had been a bounty on your head, would you be eager to return? Probably not. Even with God’s calling, Moses had to feel some fear.

But God, in His goodness, reassured Moses that the men who sought his life were dead. What a comfort that must have been. Moses gathered his wife, his sons, and the rod God had given him and headed back to Egypt.

The LORD instructed Moses to perform the signs before Pharaoh, but He also warned him that Pharaoh’s heart would be hardened and that he would not immediately let the people go.

At first, we may wonder why God would allow that.

The LORD told Moses to say to Pharaoh:

“Thus saith the LORD, Israel is my son, even my firstborn: And I say unto thee, Let my son go, that he may serve me…”(Exodus 4:22-23)

God already knew the outcome. He was preparing to display His power in a way that would leave no doubt about who He is. We may not always understand God’s timing, but we can trust His processes. 

The next passage in Exodus 4:24-26 was a little difficult. 

This is what stood out to me after reading it.. God’s chosen servant is not exempt from obeying God’s commandments. 

Moses was about to stand before Pharaoh and call an entire nation to obey God. Before he could lead others, his own household needed to be brought into obedience.

And this is true today. It is easy to focus on what everyone else should be doing while overlooking areas in our own lives where we need to obey. 

Before chapter 4 closes, Aaron meets Moses in the wilderness at the mount of God. Moses shares everything the LORD had told him and shows him the signs. Together they gather the elders of Israel, Aaron speaks God’s words, and the signs are performed before the people.

The people believed.

I loved reading about what moved them to worship…

The Bible says they heard that the LORD had visited the children of Israel and had looked upon their affliction. When they heard that, they bowed their heads and worshipped.

Has God ever looked upon your affliction?

I know He has mine.

There have been seasons when I felt overwhelmed, discouraged, or uncertain, and God reminded me that He saw every bit of it. Just as He saw Israel’s suffering, He sees ours too.

Now let’s move into chapter 5.

Moses and Aaron finally stand before Pharaoh and deliver God’s message:

“Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Let my people go…” (Exodus 5:1)

Pharaoh’s response:

“Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice?” (Exodus 5:2)

Pharaoh did not know God, and because he did not know God, he had no desire to obey Him.

That is still true today. People who do not know the LORD often reject His authority because they do not understand who He is.

Moses and Aaron explain that the God of the Hebrews had met with them and requested that they all must journey into the wilderness to sacrifice unto Him. They also warned him that if they disobeyed, it could bring judgment upon them. 

Pharaoh did not care.

And actually, he made things worse for them.

That same day, he commanded the taskmasters to stop providing straw for brick making. The people would now have to gather their own straw while still producing the same number of bricks.

He claimed they must be idle if they had time to talk about worshipping God.

I have heard similar comments before. Have you?

Maybe someone shares a dream God has placed on their heart, or a ministry they want to begin, or a change they feel led to make, and someone responds with, “You must have too much time on your hands.”

It is amazing how quickly some people dismiss the things of God.

There are modern-day Pharaohs all around us.

The good news is that God knows how to deal with Pharaohs.

The Israelites were scattered throughout the land searching for stubble, but they were still expected to produce the same amount of work. When they could not meet the impossible demands, they were beaten.

They became so desperate and they cried out to Pharaoh and asked why he was treating them this way.

He answered…

“Ye are idle, ye are idle…” (Exodus 5:17)

Afterward, the officers of Israel found Moses and Aaron and turned their frustration toward them. They accused them of making things worse and putting them in danger.

Can you imagine how painful that must have been for Moses?

He was simply doing what God had told him to do, but the people were not being set free. The conditions were being made harder for them and that made Moses feel terrible.

He did what we should all do in moments like that.

He took his hurt to the LORD.

He asked why all this evil had come upon the people. He wondered why God had sent him if things were only getting worse.

Have you ever done something in obedience because you knew God was leading you, and then you have obstacles appear everywhere?

Maybe people opposed you, or doors seem to close, and you start wondering if you misunderstood God. 

Exodus 5 reminds us that just because you obey God that does not always mean you will have immediate positive results.

Sometimes things get harder before they get better.

Sometimes God is working behind the scenes in ways we cannot yet see.

Galatians 6:9 encourages us:

“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”

Moses could not see it yet, but God was already at work.

In the very next chapter, the LORD responds with these powerful words:

“Now shalt thou see what I will do to Pharaoh…” (Exodus 6:1)

What a reminder for us.

When God calls us to do something, our responsibility is obedience.

He will take care of the outcome. 

If God has asked you to take a step of faith, keep going. 

If people misunderstand you, keep going. 

If opposition comes, keep going. 

God has it under control, and you don’t want to miss what God can do through your obedience. 

Week 40 of the Devotional Series 

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The Study of Exodus: Post Four 

***Note – We have completed the book of Job and the book of Genesis! This is our fourth week in the book of Exodus! 

Focus: Exodus Chapter Four

Tip: I highly recommend journaling your responses to the questions, prompts, and reflections. Writing them out can help you process more deeply and see how God is working in your life.

This week’s devotion includes:

Exodus Chapter Four – “God Equips us for our Callings”

Bible Memory:

Did you memorize last week’s Bible verse?

Hiding God’s Word in our hearts is such a valuable practice. Since I’ve been memorizing Scripture, I’ve experienced so many moments where God brings a specific verse to mind just when I need it most. It’s amazing how He uses His Word to speak into our lives right where we are.

This Week’s Memory Verse:

Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say.  

Exodus 4:12 

Exodus Chapter 4

“God Equips us for our Callings”

(Read Exodus Chapter 4 First)

We begin this chapter with Moses doubting that the people will listen to him. He tells God that they will not believe him, listen to him, and that they will say the LORD did not appear unto him. This is excuse number one that Moses gives. 

I think many of us can relate to that. The LORD may place something on our heart to do, whether it is speaking to someone about Him, obeying something he’s told us to do, serving somewhere we’ve never been, or sharing our testimony, and immediately we begin thinking of reasons why we should not or could not do it. Sharing the Gospel can feel uncomfortable sometimes, but the LORD will always equip us with exactly what we need.

Another issue that stood out to me is that Moses was worrying about something God had already addressed. In Exodus chapter 3, God had already promised that the elders of Israel would listen to Moses. Fear is loud and can make us forget God’s promises. How often do we do the same thing? We focus on the “what ifs” instead of remembering what God has already said.

The LORD tells Moses to take the rod in his hand and throw it on the ground. When he did, it became a serpent, and Moses fled from before it. Then the LORD told him to catch it by the tail, and when he did, it became a rod again. The LORD explained that He was giving Moses these miraculous signs so the people would believe that the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob had truly appeared unto him. Let’s talk about the rod for a moment…I find it interesting that God used something Moses already had in his hand. It was just a shepherd’s rod, a tool Moses used every day. Yet God chose to use that ordinary rod to show us His extraordinary power. Sometimes we think we need more gifts, more experience, or better qualifications before God can use us, but often He starts with what is already in our hands.

Then the LORD gave Moses another sign. He told him to place his hand inside his bosom, or chest. When Moses pulled it back out, it was leprous as snow. Then the LORD instructed him to place it back inside his bosom again, and when he removed it the second time, it was restored like his normal flesh.

The LORD then told Moses that if the people did not believe the first sign, they may believe the second. If they still refused to believe, Moses was to take water from the river and pour it upon dry land, and the water would become blood upon the ground.

One thing that really stood out to me while reading this chapter is that the LORD gave Moses three signs. Throughout Scripture, the number three is often associated with completeness, confirmation, and God revealing Himself. I think of the Holy Trinity. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

It made me think about those times when God is leading you in a certain direction and He graciously gives little confirmations along the way. I know those confirmations aren’t the same as the miraculous signs Moses received, but they remind me of God’s kindness in reassuring His people.

God did not send Moses out on his own and tell him to just figure it out. He equipped him with what he would need, confirmed that this was His calling, and showed him that He would be with him every step of the way. What an encouragement that is for us. When God calls us to something, He doesn’t leave us unprepared or uncertain of His presence. He faithfully provides what we need to obey Him.

What did God do when Moses doubted himself and feared the people would not believe him? He patiently provided sign after sign to strengthen both Moses’ faith and the faith of those who would witness these miracles. I love how this chapter shows that God does not call us because we already feel confident or capable to do something for Him, but He equips us for what He calls us to do. 

Like many of us, Moses focused on his weaknesses and fears, but God focused on His own power. These three signs were not really about Moses’ ability at all, but instead they were about proving that the LORD Himself would be with him.

Now the LORD has listened to Moses’ first excuse and provided him with reassurance, but then comes excuse number two:

“O my Lord, I am not eloquent…”

The word eloquent here means able to speak smoothly, clearly, persuasively, or fluently. Moses continues by telling God that he is slow of speech and slow of tongue. Some believe Moses may have had a speech impediment.

The LORD quickly reminds Moses that He made man’s mouth. He reminds him that He is sovereign over all things, even human weakness. Then He tells Moses something incredibly comforting:

“Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say.”  Exodus 4:12

What a powerful reminder for us today. The LORD can still do that for us. We can ask Him to be with our mouth and teach us what to say in difficult conversations, moments of witnessing, parenting, encouraging someone, or even praying.

Then Moses begs God to send another person. He says:

“O my Lord, send, I pray thee, by the hand of him whom thou wilt send.”

Can you hear the overwhelm in his voice? Can you relate?

Sometimes God asks us to step completely outside of our comfort zone, and fear immediately rises up within us. We feel inadequate, unqualified, incapable, or overwhelmed. That is exactly where Moses was.

The Bible tells us that the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses because of his continued resistance, but even in that moment, we still see God’s mercy. God tells Moses that his brother Aaron is already on the way and that Aaron will speak on his behalf. Moses would receive the words from God, and Aaron would act as the spokesperson.

I find this chapter both deeply convicting and incredibly hopeful.

It reminds me that God listens to our concerns, fears, and insecurities. He is patient with us in our weakness. Moses did not feel ready, but God still chose him. 

I also think Moses’ humility mattered. Scripture repeatedly shows us that God values a humble and contrite heart.

Psalm 51:17 says:

“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.”

Isaiah 57:15 says:

“For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit…”

I love this verse because it shows us that the God who rules over eternity chooses to dwell near the humble.

What do we hear repeated in reading these verses? Humility draws us closer to God because it makes room for dependence on Him instead of dependence on ourselves.

Moses was never enough on his own, and neither are we. But God never asked Moses to rely on himself. He simply asked him to obey and trust that the LORD would go with him. To obey, we don’t have to have every question answered, every detail mapped out, or complete confidence in ourselves. We simply have to trust the One who is calling us. Moses’ story reminds us that we will have fear, but we have to be courageous and choose to obey God in the middle of it.

Journaling Questions:

1. Have you ever felt God leading you to do something that scared you?

    2. What excuses or fears tend to rise up in your heart when God calls you outside of your comfort zone?

    3. Are you focusing more on your own weakness or on God’s ability?

    4. In what area of your life do you need to trust that God will equip you?

    5. How can humility help you depend more fully on the LORD this week?

    Final Thoughts:

    Exodus chapter 4 reminds us that God is not searching for perfect people. He is looking for willing hearts. Moses was fearful, hesitant, and full of excuses, but God still used him mightily because His strength is made perfect in weakness.

    If God has placed something on your heart, do not let fear convince you that you are incapable. The same God who equipped Moses is still faithful to equip His people today.

    Week 39 of the Devotional Series 

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    The Study of Exodus: Post Three

    ***Note – We have completed the book of Job and the book of Genesis! This is our third week in the book of Exodus! 

    Focus: Exodus Chapter Three

    Tip: I highly recommend journaling your responses to the questions, prompts, and reflections. Writing them out can help you process more deeply and see how God is working in your life.

    This week’s devotion includes:

    Exodus Chapter Three– “Certainly I will be with Thee”

    Bible Memory:

    Did you memorize last week’s Bible verse?

    Hiding God’s Word in our hearts is such a valuable practice. Since I’ve been memorizing Scripture, I’ve experienced so many moments where God brings a specific verse to mind just when I need it most. It’s amazing how He uses His Word to speak into our lives right where we are.

    This Week’s Memory Verse:

    And he said, Certainly I will be with thee; and this shall be a token unto thee, that I have sent thee: When thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain.

    Exodus 3:12 

    Exodus Chapter 3

    “Certainly I will be with Thee”

    (Read Exodus Chapter 3 First)

    One thing I love about scripture is that when we slow down and really picture what is happening, the Bible comes alive in such a personal way. Before we even begin Exodus chapter three, let’s get a picture of Moses in our minds.

    Remember back in Exodus chapter two when Moses killed the Egyptian because he was defending one of his Hebrew brethren? According to Acts 7:23-24, Moses was about forty years old when that happened. Afterward, he fled into Midian where he met Zipporah, the daughter of Jethro, and began an entirely different life than the one he knew in Egypt.

    Moses went from being raised as a prince in Pharaoh’s house to living as a shepherd in the wilderness.

    Acts 7:30 tells us that forty more years passed before the burning bush experience happened. That means Moses was around eighty years old when God told him to go back to Egypt.

    Think about that for a minute.

    Forty years had passed since Moses fled the very place God was about to send him back to. If we look closely we can see how God was preparing him for what he was about to do. 

    God knows exactly when to call us, where to place us, and how to prepare us for the assignment ahead.

    Moses was simply tending sheep when God met with him. He was living an ordinary life in the wilderness, far from the palace he once called home. He wasn’t known as a great leader or speaker at this point. Yet God chose to meet him right there in the middle of his ordinary life. Most importantly, Moses was living a life where he could hear from God. He wasn’t too busy, too distracted, too exhausted, or too overwhelmed by life to notice when God was speaking.

    I think many of us want to hear from God, but our lives are often so full of noise, distraction, stress, and constant busyness that we rarely slow down long enough to truly listen. It becomes easy to fill every quiet moment with something else. What has helped me most is being intentional about setting aside daily quiet time with God without distractions. If we do not make those moments a priority, they will quickly become filled with other things. Early morning Bible reading and study before my kids wake up, along with evening walks after dinner to pray, have become daily staples that help keep me close to God.

    Scripture says Moses led the flock to the backside of the desert near Horeb, also known as Mount Sinai or the mountain of God.

    The angel of the LORD appeared in a flame of fire inside a bush. The bush was burning, but it was not consumed.

    Can you imagine seeing that?

    Naturally Moses went closer to examine it. But when the LORD saw Moses coming near, He called out:

    “Moses, Moses.”

    And Moses answered:

    “Here am I.”

    God then told him not to come any closer and instructed him to remove his shoes because he was standing on holy ground.

    I think there is such a beautiful picture here. Moses could not approach God casually. The holiness of God demanded reverence.

    We live in a world that often treats holy things casually, but Exodus 3 reminds us that God is holy.

    I pray I can daily stop rushing and multitasking, and recognize His presence with awe and humility.

    God then begins explaining why He appeared to Moses.

    He tells him that He has:

    * Seen the affliction of His people

    * Heard their cries

    * Known their sorrows

    * Come down to deliver them

    I love those verses because they remind us that God is not distant from our suffering.

    There may be times when you feel overlooked, mistreated, burdened, or forgotten. But Exodus chapter three reminds us that God sees injustice and hears our cry.

    What comfort there is in knowing we do not suffer unnoticed.

    These verses also connect beautifully with so many other scriptures:

    * Exodus 14:14 — “The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.”

    * 2 Chronicles 20:15 — “The battle is not yours, but God’s.”

    * Isaiah 41:10 — “Fear thou not; for I am with thee.”

    * 1 Peter 5:7 — “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”

    * Psalms 46:10 — “Be still, and know that I am God.”

    How often do we try to fix things ourselves before surrendering them to God?

    Moses once tried to “help” his people in his own strength back in Egypt, and it ended in failure. But now God was showing him that true deliverance would only come through God’s power, not Moses’ own ability.

    This next part is so relatable…

    God tells Moses He is sending him to Pharaoh to bring the children of Israel out of Egypt.

    And Moses responds:

    “Who am I?”

    Have you ever had that same thought when God was calling you to something difficult or out of your comfort zone?

    Who am I to speak?

    Who am I to lead?

    Who am I to minister?

    Who am I to share my testimony?

    Who am I to do what God is asking?

    Moses felt inadequate and unqualified. 

    But I love God’s response because He did not build Moses’ confidence by listing Moses’ strengths.

    Instead, God said:

    “Certainly I will be with thee.”

    That changes everything.

    God never promised Moses he could do it alone. He promised His presence.

    And that is still the answer today.

    When God calls us, He does not ask us to rely on ourselves. He asks us to rely on Him.

    If God has been nudging your heart toward something and fear or insecurity has held you back, remember this:

    If He called you, He will certainly be with you.

    Moses then asks God what name he should give the people if they ask who sent him.

    God replies:

    “I AM THAT I AM.”

    What a powerful name.

    God is eternal, unchanging, and self-sufficient. He is everything we need exactly when we need Him.

    Do you need peace? He is.

    Do you need strength? He is.

    Do you need provision? He is.

    Do you need comfort? He is.

    There is no lack in Him.

    Did you notice how God called Moses by name before Moses fully understood who God was. God already knew Moses intimately. How beautiful is that? 

    And the same is true for us.

    Before we fully understand God’s plans, He already knows our name, our fears, what will happen in our future, and His purpose for us.

    Toward the end of the chapter, God tells Moses that He would bring His people out of Egypt, and He would also give them favor with the Egyptians. They would leave with silver, gold, jewels, and clothing.

    I love how God can do more than bring us through hardships. Sometimes He brings beauty from it too.

    Real Life Application:

    • Are you in a season that feels like you don’t know God’s plan for your life or you feel like you’re waiting? God may still be preparing you there.
    • Have you been resisting something God placed on your heart because you feel inadequate?
    • Are you trying to fight battles in your own strength instead of trusting God to work?

    * Have you forgotten that God sees your affliction and hears your cries?

    Journaling Questions:

    1. Is there an area of my life where I have been asking “Who am I?” instead of trusting God’s calling?

    2. What waiting season in my life may actually be preparation?

    3. Have I been trying to handle a battle myself instead of surrendering it to God?

    4. What does God being “I AM” personally mean to me right now?

    5. Where have I seen God’s timing work differently than my own expectations?

    Week 38 of the Devotional Series

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    The Study of Exodus: Post Two

    ***Note – We have completed the book of Job and the book of Genesis! This is our second week in the book of Exodus! 

    Focus: Exodus Chapter Two

    Tip: I highly recommend journaling your responses to the questions, prompts, and reflections. Writing them out can help you process more deeply and see how God is working in your life.

    This week’s devotion includes:

    Exodus Chapter Two– “Drawn Out of the Water”

    Bible Memory:

    Did you memorize last week’s Bible verse?

    Hiding God’s Word in our hearts is such a valuable practice. Since I’ve been memorizing Scripture, I’ve experienced so many moments where God brings a specific verse to mind just when I need it most. It’s amazing how He uses His Word to speak into our lives right where we are.

    This Week’s Memory Verse:

    But when she could not longer hide him, she took for him an ark of bulrushes, and daubed it with slime and with pitch, and put the child therein; and she laid it in the flags by the river’s brink. 

    Exodus 2:3 KJV

    Exodus Chapter 2

    “Drawn Out of the Water”

    (Read Exodus Chapter 2 First) 

    Exodus chapter two introduces us to the birth and early life of Moses. 

    A man and woman from the house of Levi had a son during one of the darkest times for the Hebrew people. Pharaoh had ordered the Hebrew baby boys to be killed, but this mother looked at her child and knew she had to do everything she could to protect him. She hid him for three months, but eventually she could no longer keep him quiet or safely hidden. I imagine by then he had found his little voice and it was becoming impossible to keep him concealed.

    Can you imagine the heartbreak she must have felt?

    She carefully made a small ark out of bulrushes and she sealed it with slime and pitch so it would float. Then she placed her precious baby inside and set him in the reeds by the riverbank. 

    Interestingly, the word “ark” used here is the same word used for Noah’s ark in Scripture. In both stories, God used a small covered vessel to preserve life. Can you see how God is such a wonderful Deliverer and Protector!

    The baby’s sister watched from a distance to see what would happen. The Bible does not tell us exactly what his mother was feeling in that moment, but I like to believe she trusted that God would somehow work things out according to His will. Her faith is evident in the fact that she was willing to build the basket and place him in the water.

    This scene reminds me so much of the phrase, “letting go and letting God.”

    Sometimes we reach places in life where we have done everything we know to do. We have prayed, planned, tried, worried, and exhausted every option we can think of. Moses’ mother hid him as long as she could, but eventually she had to place him into God’s hands completely.

    And God was already working…

    Proverbs 3:5–6 reminds us to “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”

    Pharaoh’s daughter came to the river to bathe and spotted the little ark among the reeds. When she opened it and saw the crying baby, she was moved with compassion even though she immediately recognized he was a Hebrew child. At just the right moment, Moses’ sister stepped forward and offered to find a Hebrew woman to nurse the baby.

    Isn’t God amazing?

    The sister ran and brought back Moses’ own mother. Pharaoh’s daughter told her to take the child, nurse him, and she would even pay her for it. Only God could orchestrate something like that. A baby who was supposed to be killed was now protected inside Pharaoh’s own household, and his own mother was being paid to care for him.

    God can make provision in places we would never expect.

    When Moses was older, Pharaoh’s daughter took him as her own son and named him Moses, meaning “drawn out” or “rescued,” because she drew him out of the water. I couldn’t help but think that years later, the one who was drawn out of the water would become the man God used to draw His people out and rescue THEM from bondage. He was well-named!

    As the chapter continues, we see Moses grown and aware of the suffering of his Hebrew brethren. One day he witnessed an Egyptian beating a Hebrew slave. In anger, Moses killed the Egyptian and buried him in the sand. But sin has a way of coming to light. The next day, when Moses tried to settle an argument between two Hebrews, one of them asked if he planned to kill him too like he killed the Egyptian.

    Moses immediately realized someone knew.

    He clearly cared about the suffering of his people, but he acted impulsively and took matters into his own hands instead of seeking God’s direction. Sometimes we can have the right burden but handle it in the wrong way instead of waiting on God’s timing.

    There is an important lesson here for all of us: do right even when nobody is watching. Sin may feel hidden in the moment, but eventually it comes to light and consequences can follow. Numbers 32:23 warns us, “be sure your sin will find you out.”

    Pharaoh heard what Moses had done and sought to kill him, so Moses fled into the land of Midian.

    When Moses arrived in Midian, he sat down by a well. He saw shepherds harassing the daughters of Reuel while they tried to water their father’s flock, and Moses stepped in to help them. Later, Reuel invited Moses into his home. Moses stayed there, married Reuel’s daughter Zipporah, and eventually had a son named Gershom, which means ‘foreigner’ because Moses felt like a stranger in a foreign land.

    After reading about how he killed a man, fled from Pharoah, and started over in a foreign land, we can see that Moses’ failure didn’t change the plans God had for his life.

    The chapter closes with one of the most comforting reminders in Scripture. The children of Israel were suffering deeply under bondage. They groaned, cried, and sighed because of their oppression, and the Bible says God heard them.

    They were exhausted, hurting, and overwhelmed. Probably wondering if things would ever change. Yet God heard every cry. Psalm 34:17 says, “The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.” What a comfort it is to know that God not only sees our suffering, but He hears every prayer and every cry for help.

    Maybe you feel that way today. Maybe you are carrying burdens nobody else sees. Maybe you feel stuck in a hard season that seems impossible to escape. Exodus chapter two reminds us that God hears the cries of His people. 

    God remembered His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. His promises of blessing, protection, and a future. And while Israel could not yet see it, God was already raising up the man who would lead them out of bondage.

    Things were about to change.

    And sometimes, even when we cannot see it yet, God is already moving behind the scenes in our own lives too.

    Real Life Application:

    • Sometimes faith looks like releasing control and trusting God with what we cannot fix ourselves.
    • God can provide in the most unexpected ways and through the most unlikely people.
    • Hidden sin eventually comes to light, which is why integrity matters even when nobody else sees.
    • Failure does not cancel God’s purpose for your life.
    • God hears every prayer, every cry, every exhausted sigh.

    Journaling Questions:

    Is there a situation in my life where I need to stop striving and fully place it into God’s hands?

        Have I been trusting God’s timing even when I cannot see what He is doing?

        Are there areas in my life where I need to choose integrity even when nobody else is watching?

        How has God provided for me in unexpected ways before?

        What burden or hurt do I need to remember that God already hears?

        Week 37 of the Devotional Series

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        The Study of Exodus: Post One

        ***Note – We have completed the book of Job and the book of Genesis! This is our first week in the book of Exodus! 

        Focus: Exodus Chapter One 

        Tip: I highly recommend journaling your responses to the questions, prompts, and reflections. Writing them out can help you process more deeply and see how God is working in your life.

        This week’s devotion includes:

        Exodus Chapter One– “ When Oppression Doesn’t Win”

        Bible Memory:

        Did you memorize last week’s Bible verse?

        Hiding God’s Word in our hearts is such a valuable practice. Since I’ve been memorizing Scripture, I’ve experienced so many moments where God brings a specific verse to mind just when I need it most. It’s amazing how He uses His Word to speak into our lives right where we are.

        This Week’s Memory Verse:

        But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were grieved because of the children of Israel.  

        Exodus 1:12  

        Exodus Chapter 1 

        “When Oppression Doesn’t Win”

        (Read Exodus Chapter 1 First) 

        We have made it to our next book of the Bible…Exodus! I’m so excited to dive into this second book of Moses with you.

        In chapter one, we read about something heavy right away…The oppression of the children of Israel.

        Oppression means harsh and unfair treatment meant to break people down, control them, and burden them on purpose.

        The chapter begins by reminding us of the sons of Jacob: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Benjamin, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, and Joseph. We remember Joseph was already in Egypt, but the rest of the family came later.

        Over time, that entire generation passed away. But before they did, look what God did with that family. The Bible tells us…

        And the children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and waxed exceeding mighty; and the land was filled with them. Exodus 1:7

        God was already blessing them.

        A new king rose up in Egypt who did not know Joseph. But what he did see was how numerous and strong the Israelites had become and it made him afraid.

        He decided he wanted to control them. 

        So the Egyptians placed taskmasters over the Israelites to afflict them with heavy burdens. They were forced into slavery, doing the hard labor of building cities and working the land.

        But here’s the part I love:

        But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. Exodus 1:12 

        When God is in control, what was meant by others to weaken you…won’t! What is meant to break you…won’t work! 

        Since the harsh treatment wasn’t working, the Egyptians put on more pressure. Verse 13 tells us they were made to serve with rigour. That word means… harshness, cruelty, and oppression. Their lives became bitter with hard labor.

        Now I know we are not in physical slavery, but we do know what it feels like to be:

        • Talked down to
        • Taken advantage of
        • Burdened by people or situations
        • Made to feel “less than”

        Sometimes the goal of others is the same. It’s meant to break us down, control us, or make themselves feel superior.

        But here’s the truth we can hold onto:

        What people mean for harm, God can turn for good.

        Just like the Israelites, what should destroy you doesn’t have to when God is in control. And you can allow God to use it to make you better and stronger! 

        We also meet two Hebrew midwives in this chapter named Shiphrah and Puah.

        The king of Egypt commanded them to kill the Hebrew baby boys at birth. But they refused.

        Why?

        But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive.  Exodus 1:17 

        They chose to fear God more than man.

        And God honored that.

        He blessed them.

        Real-Life Application:

        This chapter gives us some nuggets of truths to live by:

        • Oppression doesn’t stop God’s plan
        • What is meant to break you doesn’t have to win.
          God can strengthen you in the very place meant by others to weaken you.
        • You choose who you fear
          Like the midwives, we will face moments where we must choose obedience to God over pressure from people.
        • God sees your faithfulness

        Journaling Questions:

        Take a few quiet minutes and really think about these questions and write them in your journal if you wish.

        1. Where in my life do I feel burdened, overwhelmed, or “oppressed” right now?
        1. Have I been allowing someone else’s words or actions to “break me down”?
        1. How have I seen God strengthen me in difficult seasons before?
        1. Am I more concerned with pleasing people or obeying God?
        1. What is one area where I need to trust that God is still in control?

        Final Thought:

        The enemy, or even people, may try to make things harder, heavier, and more overwhelming.

        But trust that God WILL take the very thing meant to break you and use it to grow you.

        Just like Israel, you can still multiply, grow, and become stronger even in hard places.

        Week 35 of the Devotional Series 

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        The Study of Genesis Post Twenty-Three

        ***Note – We have completed the book of Job. Now, as we continue our journey through the Bible in chronological order, this is our 23rd devotion in Genesis. Though we’re in Week 35 overall, we only have one more week left in Genesis! 

        Focus: Genesis 49

        Tip: I highly recommend journaling your responses to the questions, prompts, and reflections. Writing them out can help you process more deeply and see how God is working in your life.

        This week’s devotion includes:

        Genesis Chapter 49 – “Words That Shape a Legacy” 

        Bible Memory:

        Did you memorize last week’s Bible verse?

        Hiding God’s Word in our hearts is such a valuable practice. Since I’ve been memorizing Scripture, I’ve experienced so many moments where God brings a specific verse to mind just when I need it most. It’s amazing how He uses His Word to speak into our lives right where we are.

        This Week’s Memory Verse: And Jacob called unto his sons, and said, Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which shall befall you in the last days.  Genesis 49:1

        Genesis Chapter 49

        “Words That Shape a Legacy”

        (Read Genesis Chapter 49 First) 

        Before Jacob dies, he calls all his sons together because he wants to tell them what will happen after he passes. His final words are full of meaning and legacy.

        He begins with Reuben, his firstborn. At first, he sounds like a new, proud father speaking. He calls him his might, the beginning of his strength, and the excellency of dignity and power. But then his tone changes and he tells him he is unstable as water and that he will not excel because of his sin with his father’s wife.

        That phrase “unstable as water” really makes you stop and think. Water is easily poured out, easily moved, and unable to stand on its own. It doesn’t hold its shape. When we live like that, constantly shifting, changing, and being easily influenced, it becomes hard to build anything lasting.

        Journaling Questions: 

        • Where in my life do I feel inconsistent or easily swayed?

        • Am I building a steady life on truth, or just reacting to life and it’s ever   changing circumstances?

        Devotion thought: The potential we may have means very little without stability…because a life that shifts easily will never stand long enough to truly excel.

        Next are Simeon and Levi, and their outcome isn’t any better. Jacob speaks about the cruelty in their actions and makes it clear he does not want to be associated with their anger or their choices. He references their past, when they acted in violence and self-will. Because of this, he says they will be divided and scattered.

        Uncontrolled anger spills over and affects everything.

        Journaling Questions: 

        • Is there any anger I’ve allowed to take root in my life?

        • Are my reactions bringing me closer to God, or pulling me away     from Him?

        Devotion thought: Uncontrolled anger harms others and it distances you from being an honorable person, having unity with others, and the life God intended for you.

        Then comes Judah, and Jacob’s tone completely changes. He will now speak of strength, honor, and leadership. He describes him like a lion: powerful, confident, and not easily shaken. He speaks of rulership, saying the scepter will not depart from Judah. This is the line that kings will come from, and ultimately, it points forward to Jesus.

        Judah’s blessing is full, rich, and strong. It reminds us that when God establishes something, it stands.

        Journaling Questions:

        • Do I recognize where God has placed strength or influence in my life?

        • Am I walking confidently in what He has called me to, or holding back?

        Devotion thought: True strength and honor come from living in God’s calling because when He appoints you to a certain position, no one can take away what He’s established.

        Zebulun is next, and his role is more about placement. He will dwell by the sea, a place where ships come and go, full of movement, trade, and opportunity.

        Devotion thought: God’s placement isn’t random. Your calling isn’t random. Scripture reminds us that He has determined the exact times and places we should live (Acts 17:26). That means your placement is intentional. Esther didn’t fully understand her calling at first, but she was positioned “for such a time as this” (Esther 4:14). The same is true for us. God uses where we are to shape who we are, and who we are to fulfill what He’s called us to do.

        Then we come to Issachar. Jacob describes him as a strong donkey lying down between two burdens. The scripture made me picture someone carrying weight, on their shoulders, but not resisting it. He sees that rest is good and that the land is pleasant, so he chooses to bear the load.

        He understands slow and steady will get him where he needs to go and he isn’t running from the hard. He’s settling in ready to bear it. 

        Journaling Questions:

        • What am I carrying in this season that feels heavy?

        • Can I trust that God has purpose in this season, even if it’s hard?

        Devotion thought: Sometimes God allows us to go through seasons that feel heavy, but like Issachar, we can carry them with a steady heart, trusting that rest is coming and that there is purpose in where He has placed us.

        Next is Dan. His name means “judge,” and Jacob says he will judge his people.

        But then He adds something interesting.

        He describes his son Dan as a serpent along the path that strikes in a way that’s subtle… intentional… almost strategic.

        It’s an interesting contrast. It’s like he has a quiet, calculated strength, instead of it being on display for everyone to recognize. 

        And that made me think for a second…

        Because there’s a difference between Godly wisdom and just being clever.

        It’s easy to rely on what we can figure out, or maneuver, or what we can make happen behind the scenes.

        But true wisdom, from God, always stays rooted in truth. It doesn’t cut corners. It doesn’t compromise, even when no one’s watching.

        Journaling Questions:

        • Am I relying more on my own cleverness or on God’s wisdom?

        • Are my choices aligned with truth, even when no one sees them?

        Devotional Thought:

        God can absolutely use strategy just as much as strength. But be careful to live in wisdom and integrity and never let subtlety pull us away from what is true.

        Right in the middle of all this, Jacob pauses and says, “I have waited for thy salvation, O LORD.”

        It almost feels like everything slows down for a second.

        It’s like he lets all the weight of what he’s saying about his sons and their futures fade into the background… and his focus shifts back to God.

        And then, he picks right back up, continuing to speak over each of his sons.

        Gad is next, and his word is simple but powerful. He will be overcome, but not in the end. He will overcome at the last.

        Journaling Questions:

        • Where do I feel like I’m losing right now?

        • What would it look like to trust God with the final outcome?

        Devotion thought: You may feel overcome in the moment, but if you keep pressing forward with God, the final outcome is victory.

        Then comes my personal favorite…Asher. This one makes me smile. I was going to name my last baby Asher if she had been a boy. After she was born, I made a sourdough starter and named it Asher since I still loved the name. One morning during my devotion time, I read this verse…“Out of Asher his bread shall be fat, and he shall yield royal dainties.” I couldn’t believe it. Bread and dainties? And I had just named my sourdough starter Asher…It felt like the sweetest little confirmation.

        But beyond that, the meaning is beautiful. Asher is blessed with abundance, not just enough, but more than enough. His provision is rich and full, and it produces something of quality.

        Journaling questions: 

        • Have I recognized the ways God has blessed me beyond just meeting my   needs?

        • How can I use what He’s given me to bless someone else?

        Devotion thought: God’s blessings are meant for more than just sustaining us, they’re meant to overflow, so we can bring something rich, good, and life-giving to the people around us.

        Naphtali is described as a deer let loose. He moves freely and gracefully. He isn’t bound or weighed down. I love that! It’s so refreshing when you don’t feel weighed down with burdens and that freedom comes from the LORD.  His words are described as goodly. His speech is uplifting and life-giving.

        Journaling Questions: 

        • Do my words bring life or discourage those around me?

        • Am I living in the freedom God has given me, or still feeling bound?

        Devotion thought: When God sets us free, it can be seen not just in how we live, but in how we speak. Our words can bring life and encouragement to those around us.

        Then comes Joseph, and as expected, Jacob has so much to say about him. He describes him as a fruitful tree planted by a well, growing strong and spreading out. Even though he was hurt, attacked, and rejected, he remained strong because God was with him.

        Jacob speaks blessing after blessing over him. 

        Journaling Questions: 

        • Can I see ways God has used hard seasons to grow something in me?

        • Where might He be producing fruit in my life right now?

        Devotion thought: God can take what others meant to break you and turn it into the very thing that makes you fruitful, strong, and deeply blessed…so much so that your life becomes a testimony of His favor in every way!

        Finally, Benjamin, the youngest. Jacob describes him as a wolf, fierce and ready for battle. He rises strong and ends the day in victory.

        Journaling Question:

        • Am I facing my battles with fear, or with the strength God provides?

        Devotion thought: God can give us strength to face battles, to walk in victory and receive the reward of what we’ve overcome through Him.

        After speaking over each of his sons, Jacob gives his final instruction to be buried with his family. Then, peacefully, he passes.

        What a legacy he left behind. His words were full of truth, honesty, and most importantly.. he pointing everything back to God.