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Observations from today’s readings and today’s S-WOD, Thursday, 2 January 2025:
Exodus 5:2 – Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice…? I do not know the Lord.
Pharaoh did not believe in God, but that did not remove his obligation to obey God, nor did it remove Moses’ obligation to tell Pharaoh he had to obey God. Why would Moses waist his time and risk persecution trying to talk to Pharaoh about God? Because God told him to, and that is all that matters. But wasn’t God glorified through the process? Mission accomplished! God has told you to share the Gospel with everyone, not just with those who you think will listen. Are you accomplishing your mission?
Exodus 5:4 — Moses and Aaron, why do you take the people away from their work? Get back to your burdens.
For most people, productivity is more valued than time dedicated to worship. Notice that most people are too busy for daily prayer, Bible study, and fellowship. “I just can’t seem to find the time.” Time is a constant. We have no more or less time available in a day than anyone else has had throughout history. Our problem is not too little time; it is too much opportunity, too many choices. The world is harried chasing after many things, and we must be very careful not to get caught up in the daily frenzy and do the same thing. It is downright rebellious (against society) to just sit at Jesus’ feet rather than worshiping the god of performance.
- Luke 10:38-42 — Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”
- 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!”
- Matthew 6:25-33 — “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Exodus 5:6-9 – The same day Pharaoh commanded the taskmasters of the people and their foremen, “You shall no longer give the people straw to make bricks, as in the past; let them go and gather straw for themselves. But the number of bricks that they made in the past you shall impose on them, you shall by no means reduce it, for they are idle. Therefore they cry, ‘Let us go and offer sacrifice to our God.’ Let heavier work be laid on the men that they may labor at it and pay no regard to lying words.”
Serving as Christ’s Ambassador may make life much harder for you and may impact your career.
Exodus 5:9 — Let heavier work be laid on the men that they may labor at it and pay no regard to lying words.
The enemy wants you so busy that you won’t read, study, meditate on, memorize, and apply God’s word. Expect to have a greater burden placed upon you in society as a Christian. For example, if you want to send your child to a Christian school, you will pay for both public school (through taxation) and for private school (through your discretionary dollars).
Exodus 5:17 — But he said, “You are idle, you are idle; that is why you say, ‘Let us go and sacrifice to the LORD.”
The world sees a Sabbath rest as laziness. Many view Christianity as a crutch for the weak and simple minded.
Exodus 5:21 – …and they said to them, “The Lord look on you and judge, because you have made us stink in the sight of Pharaoh and his servants, and have put a sword in their hand to kill us.”
The people turned against Moses and Aaron because of pressure from the government. The people were more concerned about what government wanted than what God wanted. In their fear of the government, the people told themselves that Moses and Aaron were sinning against God. Religion became a means for them to justify their compromise. Moses was called to stand alone, and it challenged his faith. Would you be willing to stand your ground against both the government and against the popular church?
Exodus 5:22 – Why did you ever send me?
When the going got tough, Moses didn’t ask for God’s help but rather complained about the assignment. At least he went to God in prayer, and despite his whininess, God listened. How do you respond to setbacks?
God called Moses to boldly proclaim His word regardless the consequences or apparent outcomes. Moses, an Ambassador for God, was responsible for the message, not for the response to the message. God is God, regardless of what anyone chooses to believe. His word stands and should be proclaimed to all creation. The servant of God faithfully serves the KING at all costs. What is the faithful disciple of Christ to do when the church majority resists or rejects the bold proclamation of God’s truth? Tell the truth at all costs – “Then Pilate said to him, ‘So you are a king?’ Jesus answered, ‘You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born, and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth.’” (John 18:37)
Exodus 5:23 – For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has done evil to this people, and you have not delivered your people at all.
Moses expected instant results, and when he didn’t get them, he lost faith, though he remained faithful ultimately. How do you act when you don’t get immediate or amazing results?
“Cross” Fit S-WOD (Spiritual Workout of the Day) – 2 January 2025: Today, commit to sharing the Gospel with everyone, whether you think they will accept it or not. Obey God’s call to serve as His ambassador, and trust the results to Him.
Defenders Bible Reading Plan 