October 20 | Exodus 14:5-14, 21-29

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DAILY READING

Exodus 14:5-14, 21-29

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REFLECTION

Who do you Trust?

by Elaine Pierce

I'm guessing that you, like me, have an image in your head when you read this well-known passage: Moses, beard flowing in an almost-hurricane strength wind, triumphantly holds up his hands to calm the raging waters of the Red Sea, and they dramatically part, allowing the Israelites to escape from the Egyptians. And, yes, that is what happened. But I often forget about how the people reacted before this happened, when they realized that the Egyptian army was hot on their heels, determined to bring them back to Egypt and back into slavery. They were sure they were doomed to defeat:

They [the Israelites] were terrified and cried out to the Lord. They said to Moses, "Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? Didn't we say to you in Egypt, 'Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians'? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!" (v. 10-12)

How quickly they doubt the God of the universe! And the revisionist history is almost laughable - they certainly did NOT beg to remain enslaved in Egypt. They were frightened and forgot that the God who made a covenant with them to bring them to the Promised Land was the same God who would deliver them from their enemies. They faced fear, and they forgot to trust that their creator would continue to protect them.

What problem are you facing today? Have you shared it with God? Or are you afraid to trust him? I confess that I often ask God for help, and then I turn around and try to solve things on my own. Read these words that Moses brings to the people, and apply them to your own situation:

"The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still." (Exodus 14:14)

And these words from Psalm 46:10:

"Be still, and know that I am God, I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."

Remember what God has done, and fear not! Take your doubts, your fears, your worries to him. He is waiting, and he will not let you down.

PRAYER

Thank you, Lord, for each day. I come to you with burdens, and you offer me hope, and peace and comfort in the midst of the storms that life brings. Help me to lay them at your feet, trusting in your good timing and wisdom, that one day all will be well. Amen.

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October 19 | Exodus 14:1-4

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DAILY READING

Exodus 14:1-4

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REFLECTION

On Display

By Mary Alice McGinnis

Has there been a time in your life that you have seen something so beautiful that it took your breath away? The experience overwhelmed all your senses, far beyond your ability to describe it. Even pictures could not capture its exquisiteness.

Imagine being in this lavender field in France. How would you explain it to someone?

Beauty is not easily described. But when it is put on display, we recognize it. We can point to it and say, “That is beautiful!”

God’s Glory is like that. It is beyond description. In a sermon by John Piper, he tries to capture it this way: “The glory of God is the manifest beauty of His holiness. It’s the way He puts His holiness on display for people to apprehend.” And “The glory of God is the infinite beauty and greatness of God’s manifold perfections.”

We see God putting His divine, incomparable, infinite beauty and holiness on display all throughout Scripture.

Isaiah 6:3 says, “And (the angels) were calling to one another: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of His glory.’”'

In today’s reading, we find something curious. God puts His glory on display through opposition. He uses Pharaoh, a prideful ruler who only wanted glory for himself. The weight of God’s magnificent Glory cannot be diminished by this one prideful ruler whose heart refused to acknowledge God’s divine Sovereignty. In fact, the opposite happened. Because of Pharaoh’s hardened heart, God’s glory radiated for all to see. It was undeniable. It was recognized by the Egyptians, the Israelites, and to all the surrounding nations who heard about it. Even now, you and I are witnesses of God’s glory through this story.

God’s glory is on display all around us everyday! In fact, this is what we were made for. We were born to put God’s Glory on display. But we have all fallen short of God’s plan for our lives, to display His powerful glory. Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

God’s most powerful display of his glory came through the darkest moment in history – when Jesus laid down His life to redeem us.

My life verse is from 2 Corinthians 4:6-7: “But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.”

I am overwhelmed by the beauty of God's glory. I am in awe at how "He puts His holiness on display for people to apprehend" most perfectly in the face of Jesus Christ! He invites me and you to reflect the beauty of His glory.

PRAYER

Jesus, put Your infinite glory on display! Help us to see it. Keep us from hardening our hearts in pride against You. Forgive us for falling so desperately short. Wash us clean, make us new! Use us - simple jars of clay - to reflect the glorious light of the face of Jesus Christ in our dark world today.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

MARY ALICE MCGINNIS

I began reading the Bible for the first time at the age of 14. When I read the book of Proverbs, I found this collection of practical wisdom both challenging and inspiring. Instead of the typical posters you might find on a teenager’s bedroom walls, my room was splashed with handmade posters - quotes from the book of Proverbs. The Proverbs unique way of expressing deep truths helped lay a foundation in my walk with God.

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October 18 | Exodus 13:17-22

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DAILY READING

Exodus 13:17-22

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REFLECTION

Light Brings Safety

by David Thompson

This passage tells of the early wandering in the wilderness of the chosen people of Israel. The passage begins with the Pharaoh granting the long awaited freedom after 400 years in captivity in Egypt. Moses and Aaron brought the Word of the Lord to Pharaoh. Pharaoh didn't listen which caused 10 plagues. The final plague was the worst where all of the first born in Egypt lost their lives. The Israeli people were spared once again. Pharaoh seemed glad to see Israel go.

As a child I always had a nightlight to save me from all of the monsters who lurked just under the bed, in the closet or just outside of the bedroom window. When I got older, I was a counselor at a remote boy scout camp. Nights were not just dark, but with all the trees blocking the sky, it was pitch black. I recall in both stories that when the nightlight burned out, getting to the bathroom or my parents' room was a scary walk in the unknown. Likewise, at the boy scout camp, when I didn't have a light, I would hold my hands out chest high and try to stay on the worn paths. Often I found a bush or a tree to run into and honestly the rustle in the pitch darkness frightened even me, a grown counselor.

The passage summarized the trip around the Red Sea (God knew it was longer, but the best for the Israelites). The passage also explained that they took the bones of Joseph, but what I found most interesting was the Lord guiding the mass of Israelis with a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. This showed the Israelis the safe path to take by day and night.

Have you ever seemed to be in the dark either literally or figuratively by a time of darkness in your life? We all have had down times when the path was unsure and the darkness seemed depressing and scary. However, know that God has the lead and the plan. He will pull you forward out of the lost, seemingly dark and unsafe future. He loves you and will make your paths straight.

PRAYER

Dear Lord,

Thank you for being the light in our lives. We need your help in all situations and pray that you will "never leave us or forsake us." That is a promise from You and You never break your promises. Amen.

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