January 21, 2006 - Exodus 1-3 and Matthew 14:1-21
As I awoke this morning a little later than normal, since it is a rainy Saturday, I was excited about beginning another journey through Exodus. I love the first three chapters, so I spent a long "unhurried" time, which made the blog a little later, too. The Lord has spoken to me in so many ways through this passage in the past that it is like visiting an old friend to catch up on the news. I can hear God's voice from the past as well as His voice to me today. What a refreshing way to spend a Saturday morning! I pray that your day will be wonderful as you reflect on what God says to you.
The theme of Exodus 1-3 that grabbed me this morning was the purpose of God for the Hebrews and for Moses. God was working His purpose for both of them in the face of problems and sin. Look at Exodus 1:12, which says "But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew." God had made them a promise, and He was carrying out that promise in the midst of affliction. God is faithful! He will see us through. He will guide us to the land of milk and honey, if we trust Him. (Genesis 3:8) His purpose is for us to have a great life. Have you realized that yet, or are you still trying to work out your life yourself? Please, know that His plan is better than your plan. In the case of Moses his mother had a dilemma. She wanted to save her child and obey the law that all male babies should be cast into the river. She put him in a little boat. She put him near the bathing place. She prayed and watched. Then, God worked His purpose. She was paid to raise her son, and then, he went to live in Pharaoh's home. What a marvelous way of working out this problem! Finally, when Moses was grown, he murdered an Egyptian. Yes, the Egyptian was cruel, but Moses should not have taken it into his own hands. However, God did not give up on Moses. He found Him in the wilderness and sent him back to deliver the Hebrews. God prepared him for that, and God used him in His plan. Do you see what I mean. God has a wonderful purpose for your life. Don't let Satan tell you otherwise. Keep following His plan, and let Him work out the details. He will do much better than you could ever do.
In Matthew 14 we see the same reality in a different context. John, the Baptist, was the forerunner of Jesus. He prepared the way. Then, he was put in prison, and his head was cut off. What is your reaction to that? Do you think he got a raw deal from God? He did not. He got to go to heaven for his reward sooner than most. He experienced the power of God using him, and then, he experienced the presence of God. There is nothing better. If you think otherwise, you do not understand God and heaven. The feeding of the 5,000 is the same way. The disciples wanted to send the people away so they could feed themselves. Jesus told the disciples to feed them. That was a big order. How could they feed 5,000 people? If it was God's will for them, they could do it in His power. They watched as 5,000 plus were feed until they were filled, and then there were 12 baskets left. All that from 5 loaves and 2 fish. Jesus was trying to show them that He could use them to do great things, if they would trust Him. Their plan and purpose was much less exciting and fulfilling than His, wasn't it? That is how it is with all of life. You can send them away, or you can feed them. You can live a long comfortable life and not see God work, or you can live a short life in God's power and go to heaven. You can keep sheep in the wilderness, or you can deliver the Hebrews from Pharaoh. You can wander in the wilderness for 40 years, or you can enjoy the land of milk and honey. Which do you want, your way or God's way? His way is always the best.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Exodus 4-6 and Matthew 14:22-36.
The theme of Exodus 1-3 that grabbed me this morning was the purpose of God for the Hebrews and for Moses. God was working His purpose for both of them in the face of problems and sin. Look at Exodus 1:12, which says "But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew." God had made them a promise, and He was carrying out that promise in the midst of affliction. God is faithful! He will see us through. He will guide us to the land of milk and honey, if we trust Him. (Genesis 3:8) His purpose is for us to have a great life. Have you realized that yet, or are you still trying to work out your life yourself? Please, know that His plan is better than your plan. In the case of Moses his mother had a dilemma. She wanted to save her child and obey the law that all male babies should be cast into the river. She put him in a little boat. She put him near the bathing place. She prayed and watched. Then, God worked His purpose. She was paid to raise her son, and then, he went to live in Pharaoh's home. What a marvelous way of working out this problem! Finally, when Moses was grown, he murdered an Egyptian. Yes, the Egyptian was cruel, but Moses should not have taken it into his own hands. However, God did not give up on Moses. He found Him in the wilderness and sent him back to deliver the Hebrews. God prepared him for that, and God used him in His plan. Do you see what I mean. God has a wonderful purpose for your life. Don't let Satan tell you otherwise. Keep following His plan, and let Him work out the details. He will do much better than you could ever do.
In Matthew 14 we see the same reality in a different context. John, the Baptist, was the forerunner of Jesus. He prepared the way. Then, he was put in prison, and his head was cut off. What is your reaction to that? Do you think he got a raw deal from God? He did not. He got to go to heaven for his reward sooner than most. He experienced the power of God using him, and then, he experienced the presence of God. There is nothing better. If you think otherwise, you do not understand God and heaven. The feeding of the 5,000 is the same way. The disciples wanted to send the people away so they could feed themselves. Jesus told the disciples to feed them. That was a big order. How could they feed 5,000 people? If it was God's will for them, they could do it in His power. They watched as 5,000 plus were feed until they were filled, and then there were 12 baskets left. All that from 5 loaves and 2 fish. Jesus was trying to show them that He could use them to do great things, if they would trust Him. Their plan and purpose was much less exciting and fulfilling than His, wasn't it? That is how it is with all of life. You can send them away, or you can feed them. You can live a long comfortable life and not see God work, or you can live a short life in God's power and go to heaven. You can keep sheep in the wilderness, or you can deliver the Hebrews from Pharaoh. You can wander in the wilderness for 40 years, or you can enjoy the land of milk and honey. Which do you want, your way or God's way? His way is always the best.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Exodus 4-6 and Matthew 14:22-36.