Day 7
Wednesday, February 24
Exodus 5:1-6:27
You know the saying -- “things are gonna get worse before they get better.” We all experience this reality from time to time. In fact, this is the very reason I’ve been putting off cleaning out the refrigerator! But whether it’s tackling an unpleasant project, or facing a significant change in our lives, we may have to endure a period of worsening circumstances. I cringe when I think about how Moses must have felt. He was trying to follow God’s call. He was being obedient. And yet, he had made matters worse. His audience with Pharoah resulted in the unbearable treatment of the very people he was trying to help. I can imagine that he both felt guilty and duped. We can hear the frustration in his voice when he asks God, “Is this why you sent me, to actually bring trouble upon my people?”
This scripture marks the beginning of a significant change for the Israelite people. Moses was initiating God’s plan to free the Israelites from slavery and bring them to their promised land. But things were going to get worse before they got better. And when they did, Moses began to doubt. He let the circumstances of the people inform his understanding of God instead of letting God inform how he would respond to the circumstances. But God, in infinite patience, reminded him of two things: “I am the LORD” and “I made a promise to my people”.
God’s promise to the Israelites was to free them from slavery and make them a great nation. God’s promise to us is even greater -- a transformed life through Christ. Transformation isn’t instantaneous and it isn’t easy. In fact, it’s likely things will get worse before they get better. When we are trying to make a change and things get worse, it can lead to self doubt. Like Moses we might let our circumstances inform who God is instead of letting God inform how we should respond to our circumstances. But when we focus on God’s promises we will find the strength and courage to stay the course.
Holy God, I pray for the following graces: that I might truly desire a transformed life, that I will have the courage to follow you even in times of difficulty, and that I will experience a deep knowing that you are with me...always.
Reflection by Sabra Engelbrecht
Exodus 5:1-6:27
You know the saying -- “things are gonna get worse before they get better.” We all experience this reality from time to time. In fact, this is the very reason I’ve been putting off cleaning out the refrigerator! But whether it’s tackling an unpleasant project, or facing a significant change in our lives, we may have to endure a period of worsening circumstances. I cringe when I think about how Moses must have felt. He was trying to follow God’s call. He was being obedient. And yet, he had made matters worse. His audience with Pharoah resulted in the unbearable treatment of the very people he was trying to help. I can imagine that he both felt guilty and duped. We can hear the frustration in his voice when he asks God, “Is this why you sent me, to actually bring trouble upon my people?”
This scripture marks the beginning of a significant change for the Israelite people. Moses was initiating God’s plan to free the Israelites from slavery and bring them to their promised land. But things were going to get worse before they got better. And when they did, Moses began to doubt. He let the circumstances of the people inform his understanding of God instead of letting God inform how he would respond to the circumstances. But God, in infinite patience, reminded him of two things: “I am the LORD” and “I made a promise to my people”.
God’s promise to the Israelites was to free them from slavery and make them a great nation. God’s promise to us is even greater -- a transformed life through Christ. Transformation isn’t instantaneous and it isn’t easy. In fact, it’s likely things will get worse before they get better. When we are trying to make a change and things get worse, it can lead to self doubt. Like Moses we might let our circumstances inform who God is instead of letting God inform how we should respond to our circumstances. But when we focus on God’s promises we will find the strength and courage to stay the course.
Holy God, I pray for the following graces: that I might truly desire a transformed life, that I will have the courage to follow you even in times of difficulty, and that I will experience a deep knowing that you are with me...always.
Reflection by Sabra Engelbrecht
Posted in Lent Devotional
Related Posts
Recent
Archive
2021
January
February
Our Work // M-Note 1.29.2021Unlikely Friends and Partnerships // M-Note 2.5.2021We Need Lent Now More Than Ever // M-Note 2.12.2021Lent Devotional // Ash WednesdayDay 2Return to In-Person Worship // M-Note 2.19.2021Day 3Day 4The First Sunday in LentDay 5Day 6Generosity - Jane DavisDay 7Day 8Day 9Day 10The Second Sunday in Lent
March
Day 11Day 12Day 13Day 14Easter Announcement // M-Note 2.27.2021Day 15Day 16The Third Sunday in LentDay 17Day 18Day 19Day 20Day 21Hope Is A Good Thing // M-Note 3.12.2021Day 22The Fourth Sunday in LentDay 23Day 24Day 25Day 26Something New // M-Note 3.19.2021Day 27Day 28The Fifth Sunday of LentDay 29Day 30Day 31Day 32Approaching Holy Week // M-Note 3.26.2021Day 33Day 34The Last Sunday in LentDay 35Day 36Day 37
2020
August
October
November
December
Advent Devotional - Day 3Advent Devotional - Day 4Advent Devotional - Day 5Advent Devotional - Day 6Advent Devotional - Day 7Advent Devotional - Day 8Advent Devotional - Day 9Advent Devotional - Day 10Advent Devotional - Day 11Advent Devotional - Day 12Advent Devotional - Day 13Advent Devotional - Day 14Advent Devotional - Day 15Advent Devotional - Day 16Advent Devotional - Day 17Advent Devotional - Day 18Advent Devotional - Day 19Advent Devotional - Day 20Christmas Eve is Just Around the Corner! // M-Note 12.18.2020Supporting Mozambique This Christmas // M.Note 12.11.2020The Legacy of Jack Harbison // M-Note 12.4.2020Advent Devotional - Day 21Advent Devotional - Day 22Advent Devotional - Day 23Advent Devotional - Day 24Advent Devotional - Day 25It's Christmas Eve! // M-Note 12.24.2020
No Comments