Study The Word Daily Devotions

THURSDAY, 31 AUGUST 2023

TEXT: Exodus 5:22 - 6:12

22: Moses returned to the Lord and said, “Why, Lord, why have you brought trouble on this people? Is this why you sent me?

23: Ever since I went to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has brought trouble on this people, and you have not rescued your people at all.”

1: Then the Lord said to Moses, “Now you will see what I will do to Pharaoh: Because of my mighty hand he will let them go; because of my mighty hand he will drive them out of his country.”

2: God also said to Moses, “I am the Lord.

3: I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob as God Almighty, but by my name the Lord I did not make myself fully known to them.

4: I also established my covenant with them to give them the land of Canaan, where they resided as foreigners.

5: Moreover, I have heard the groaning of the Israelites, whom the Egyptians are enslaving, and I have remembered my covenant.

6: “Therefore, say to the Israelites: ‘I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. I will free you from being slaves to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment.

7: I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God, who brought you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians.

8: And I will bring you to the land I swore with uplifted hand to give to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob. I will give it to you as a possession. I am the Lord.’”

9: Moses reported this to the Israelites, but they did not listen to him because of their discouragement and harsh labor.

10: Then the Lord said to Moses,

11: “Go, tell Pharaoh king of Egypt to let the Israelites go out of his country.”

12: But Moses said to the Lord, “If the Israelites will not listen to me, why would Pharaoh listen to me, since I speak with faltering lips?”

(New International Version Holy Bible)

TOPIC: OPPOSITION TO THE MINISTRY (II)

Sometimes the people you wish to assist turn round to accuse you for their calamities. In situations like that, you may decide to stop assisting.

Another person may continue despite the rejection while others may still continue without any ill - feelings because they know that they are offering such service for the glory of God.

Moses did not only have a problem with Pharaoh but the Israelites were also angry with him because they thought he had made their burdens heavier.

Moses told God this would make his work of delivering them from Pharaoh much more difficult. But God reminded Moses of His promise to liberate His people from slavery.

Moses faced great opposition from the Israelites when he spoke to them. This made him doubt if Pharaoh would listen to God's order.

As we live our lives today, we must help those in need even when they do not seem to see the value of what we are doing. God will ultimately bless and reward our efforts.

QUESTION: How do you respond to the temptation to stop assisting people who refuse your help or display a negative attitude towards you?

PRAYER: Dear Father, I pray for the grace to love and minister to people even when they do not appreciate the benefits of the service I am rendering them, in Jesus name. Amen.